In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, Host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by  Dr. Ganesh Naidoo, Co-founder and CEO at Medmate, a conformant software product for e-prescribing that lets the user access over 1000 pharmacies across Australia at the click of a button. 
While over the last year and half of all businesses have been increasingly turning to the use of technology, Medmate’s humble beginnings go back to Ganesh’s years of being a general practitioner where everyday he’d come home, order a pizza from Uber Eats at the click of a button, have it delivered to his doorsteps in under 20 minutes, and wonder if something like that were possible in the pharmaceutical and medical field, at large. ‘Medmate’ was the solution that he and his friends envisioned. Not undermining the importance of face-to-face counsel, he emphasizes that Medmate makes access to medication easy for those who cannot, owing to any number of reasons, go to a brick-and-mortar store to collect their scripts.

Ep38 Medmate - Prescription delivery in 60 minutes

Listen to this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast where host Scott Carpenter sits with Pharmacist Mark Feldschuh to learn more about Mark’s journey in the Pharmaceutical industry. 

Having owned a Pharmacy for over three decades, Mark is passionate about the industry. Over the course of time, Mark learned from a whole lot from people: from attending conferences to hearing people talk about new ideas—learning was everywhere. As advocacy and professional development have also always been areas of interest, Mark worked towards bringing betterment in those regards and really wanted to give back in the same way.  Mark now helps business owners develop their own pharmacies. 
Mark emphasizes the need for the following in any Pharmacy:
1.	Systems
A key requisite that Mark champions is the need for using systems. He says that once systemization is in place, it becomes easier to manage Pharmacies. 

2.	Patient’s Interest 
Another key element is to ensure that the Pharmacy is serving the patient’s best interests.

Systems for both Management and Risk Mitigation

In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, we are joined by Brad Butt, Founder and Lead Pharmacist at Men's Health Downunder. Listen in as he and host Scott Carpenter, talk about how this experienced Pharmacist has followed his passion and provides competent professional services with a particular focus on men’s Urological health and the medications and devices men can use to optimize outcomes.
Brad calls himself a passionate Community Pharmacist and rightfully so. Trying to strike the perfect balance between his personal and professional lives, Brad works as a full-time community Pharmacist four days a week and private practice with Men’s Health Downunder for the fifth day: all the while enjoying being a family man. After having talked about how he started in the Pharmaceutical industry and his work with Life Pharmacy Group, Brad goes on to talk about Men's Health Downunder which was founded in 2015 owing to a lack of reliable and cost-effective endorsed medical grade treatments for men. The company website offers patients a complete solution at a competitive price from a highly regarded profession.
Brad finds technology to be critical in the Pharmaceutical industry and so the company uses technology geared towards two things: Positive Business Outcomes (PBOs) and Positive Patient Outcomes (PPOs). The three primary technologies used in the business are:
1.	Dragon (an AI tool used for dictation that eases taking of patient notes, writing of letters, and managing of emails)
2.	Clinico (a CRM platform that allows you to have a patient database)
3.	Clinicom (Support service) 
Brad concludes by saying that there are primarily two things that a Pharmacist needs to focus on:
1.	Connecting with the patient
2.	Making them feel that they are cared for

PView Mens Health Downunder Brad Butt AUDIO FINAL 290522

In the very first episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training, we are joined by host, Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist, and Founder at Locumate, and guest, Karen Brown, Managing Partner at TerryWhite Chemmart, Co-Founder & Director at Batch Tested and Pharmacy Redefined. Listen in as the two passionate Pharmacists talk about the Pharmaceutical Industry at large and how Pharmacies across the country sit at the cusp of transformation in the near future.

Karen, in their own words, wears many hats. In addition to being an Award-winning Pharmacist and Pharmacy Owner, Karen is a Founder, a Director, a Leader, a Speaker, and most importantly, a wife and a mother. Having said that, they see synergy in everything that they do and say that at the core of it all is their want to help people—helping their team members be better people, helping their patients get healthier, helping the community achieve better results. They believe that whether in sports or in business, they are people managers who bring together a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.

Having done so much across sectors, when asked what their top three pieces of advice for someone starting something completely different, their prompt response was

· Take your blinkers off

· Say yes to opportunities

· Build the plane while you’re flying it (don’t wait for it to be perfect before you launch it)

Having said that in their own business, Karen knows how one person as a Pharmacy Owner doesn’t need to know everything and should rather take on the challenges while surrounding themselves with a team of experts. Their advice being, “You need to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Karen, a firm believer in their mission to challenge the status quo and to redefine how people view community Pharmacy, is no stranger to awards and accolades. They are the Winner of Australian and Qld TerryWhite Chemmart of the Year - Arana Hills 2022, Winner of Small Business Person of the Year - Dickson Australia Day Community Awards 2021, Finalist in the Rhonda White Leadership Award 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and Nominee for Telstra Business Women’s Award 2019, 2020, among others.

They believe their work reflects the mark they have left in redefining community Pharmacy. Even though there is validation, they believe that as a team they need to understand that so long as good work is done, the community responds to that.

Talking about what Pharmacies need to focus on, they share about

· investing heavily in personal development for the team as they strongly believe that people want to belong to something bigger than themselves and people want to belong in a team;

· investing in professional development and finding the right person for the right job.

Karen believes that the Pharmaceutical Industry is sitting at the precipice of something huge and they are excited about the endless possibilities that the future has in store. They think that in the near future there will be boutique health hubs and more work will be driven toward specialty services and niching. And even though at the core each Pharmacy will still be the same, the customer journey and use of technology will evolve.

When asked about Owner’s Summit. Karen elaborates how ownership can be lonely and how contrary to popular assumption, Pharmacy owners are not competitors, they are one another’s biggest cheerleaders rather. They add that instead of doom and gloom, people need to come together, share ideas, and have the courage to be vulnerable in a safe space so that together they can work towards better outcomes. Karen shares how it is important to not just share ideas but also understand how the shared ideas are handled so that the fear of rejection doesn’t plague team members. As they iterate, the pillars remain the betterment of health, team, and community.

Ep 63 Karen Brown: Redefining Community Pharmacy

In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to John Thornett, Owner, Peak Strategies (WA) Pty Ltd, a Chartered Accountant, and a Pharmacy Expert. Listen to the episode to learn about how the qualified and professional team at Peak Strategies has been helping Pharmacy owners across Australia.  
Having started off as a Chartered Accountant, John recounts the story of how Peak Strategies came into being and how its entire client base now consists of Community Pharmacies. When describing over 25 years of work with Community Pharmacies, John says, “When you love what you do, it fills your soul with so much joy.” Furthering why they enjoy working in the industry, they quote these reasons:
•	First on the list for John are the people in the industry who are wonderful and have so much to offer
•	Second reason is being able to specialize and have a niche. John understands what the pain points are for Pharmacy Owners because of having put in so much time to understand the industry and business as a whole. John adds that with the level of knowledge, they can provide more value to the clients and have increased abilities to help people. Pharmacy is a unique beast and having the level of knowledge that John and his team have is reassuring from the client’s perspective. 
John then compares Community Pharmacies during and post Covid. When Covid hit, Community Pharmacy’s reputation really grew as they were open and accessible all the time. In Western Australia, the closing of borders meant more and more people went to their Community Pharmacies. While good money was made, it was exhausting. John then raises some pertinent concerns about Pharmacies in 2023:
•	While 2021/2022 was good for Pharmacy business across the board, things have changed in 2023 as we live in a different world now. 
•	Family purses have been tightened because of inflation and higher interest rates. What does it mean for Pharmacies moving forward?
•	What will happen to the market for buying a Pharmacy? It won’t be the same as it was in 2022.
•	Pharmacy owners are exhausted and you can’t find a Pharmacist for the love of money.
•	What revenue opportunities were missed in the lack of resources?
•	Changes in margins owing to wages, stock-piling, and lease renewals.
Pointing out the aforementioned challenges and opportunities in the industry, John then goes on to talk about how busy Peak Strategies has been with the following:
•	A lot of work in the Validation space
•	Work with owners in the marketing space
•	Pharmacy Mastermind Program to help owners have a profitable and sustainable business
•	A lot of work in the Partner space for first-time owners looking to be Junior Partners
•	Podcasts 
•	Content-driven website
To John, everything comes down to helping people. And they believe that technology can aid the process through the automation of repetitive tasks. This needs to be done so that people can focus on what people are good at—human interaction.

Ep 66 John Thornett - Automate the Repetitive with Technology

In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate, is joined by Kay Dunkley, Executive Officer (Part-time), Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) and Doctor Wellbeing Consultant (Part-time), AMA Victoria. Kay, also an accredited Pharmacist, received the PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year 2020 and PSA Victorian Pharmacist Excellence Award 2019 and is passionate about the health and well-being of healthcare professionals. Listen to this podcast episode as Kavita and Kay take you through Kay’s fantastic career in the industry, the changes that have come about in the years since their early days, and how they keep their passion alive while keeping up with demanding work.
It was the final year of college, and Kay wasn’t sure of the career they wanted to pursue. A career in Pharmacy was their last-minute choice, they say. And aren’t we all glad that the choice was made? In Pharmacy, they saw a perfect blend of science and health, and after having worked with inspiring people through their initial days in Hospital Pharmacy, Kay came to realize the immense love they had for the profession. Kay loved being a part of the healthcare team and enjoyed interacting with patients, doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals. Over the decades, Kay moved up the ladder in the industry and worked with various hospitals and healthcare professionals. Now, Kay works with the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) and AMA Victoria.
When asked what prompted them to work in the mental health and well-being space for health professionals, Kay says the impetus comes through their own experiences and exposure in the industry. They emphasize that there is a real need for support for health professionals. Pharmacy is a busy space where professionals are often required to do multiple things simultaneously while ensuring everything is done right. Many professionals, especially those new to the profession, struggle to keep up with the demands and undergo immense distress. As someone who has experienced this themselves and has seen/heard stories of other professionals, Kay is passionate about ensuring their well-being by giving them the skills to manage and get through difficult situations. 
Furthering, Kay adds that owners can help their staff members by building healthy relationships and communicating with them—by making them feel that they are being listened to and cared for. Being able to look after the staff makes them feel valued, and when people feel valued, it makes a massive difference in how people feel about coming to work. And Kay believes that addressing systemic workplace issues is essential.
Kay also underlines how it is vital for everyone to check in with themselves and know how they are feeling. Everyone must acknowledge that we are all humans and have emotions. To quote Kay, “We are human. We need to recognize and show our emotions and be willing to address those emotions, acknowledge that we're feeling sad or angry or grieving. It's really important to be tuned into ourselves. And, some evidence shows that emotional intelligence reduces the likelihood of burnout.” What happens in our personal life affects our work, and if we want to do better work, we need to address the underlying issues that cause us discomfort.
Talking about their work with PSS, Kay doesn’t shy away from crediting volunteers for all their fantastic work nationwide. The focus of the service is that PSS provides support, empowerment & information provision rather than advice.  In supporting pharmacists, PSS aims to benefit the public by ensuring that Pharmacists maintain their health and well-being to provide an appropriate level of service to the Australian community.

Ep 71 Importance of Ensuring the Mental Well-being of Health Professionals

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Anthony Sapountzis is joined by Christian Georgiadis, Managing Director, OUREA and Founder & Creative Director, AX Creative Agency to delve into the intricacies of scaling businesses and crafting effective marketing strategies, from the power of collaboration to the nuances of user-generated content, Christian shares invaluable insights drawn from his journey in the marketing industry. Tune in to gain expert advice on navigating the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape and business growth.

Christian shares his journey from videography to marketing, culminating in the establishment of AX Creative Agency, a unique agency specializing in scaling businesses through customized creative work like graphics, videos, and photos. Their approach involves creating tailored systems to enhance sales and customer acquisition by understanding clients' pain points and refining their brand strategy before executing marketing tactics.

Georgiadis reflects on the challenges faced by marketing agencies amidst the proliferation of promises and commoditization of services, leading to skepticism among small businesses. He stresses the need for agencies to differentiate themselves and build genuine relationships with clients who value collaboration and mutual success. Christian emphasizes the importance of understanding each client's unique needs and fostering a collaborative approach for successful marketing projects.

Christian further emphasizes the significance of collaboration with clients, particularly those willing to invest in innovative ideas. He discusses the importance of continuous testing and adaptation in advertising content to resonate with the target audience effectively, citing examples from his work with automotive clients. Additionally, Georgiadis highlights the cost-effectiveness and personalization of email marketing, underscoring the need for adaptive approaches tailored to different industries and audiences.

Georgiadis explores the power of user-generated content (UGC) in establishing brand authority, especially for startups lacking initial credibility. He advocates for authenticity in UGC and emphasizes the importance of honest testimonials for maintaining credibility in the long term. Furthermore, Christian discusses the significance of referrals in building trust and authority with clients, emphasizing the importance of diversifying marketing channels for sustained business growth.

Lastly, Christian delves into the complexities of scaling businesses, stressing the need to challenge clients' assumptions and assess factors like brand establishment and financial capabilities before embarking on scaling initiatives. He shares insights on consulting for startups, advocating for personalized approaches tailored to each business's needs and highlighting the integration of marketing and sales processes for effective lead engagement.

Breaking the Marketing Mold: Insights from Christian Georgiadis | Ep 133 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Max Mito, Co-Founder & CEO of StrongRoom AI, to explore the fascinating journey of revolutionizing healthcare technology. Max shares insights on the company's pivot from facial recognition to medication management, the challenges of modernizing a traditionally paper-heavy industry, and exciting plans for international expansion. Join us for an engaging discussion on innovation, growth, and the future of healthcare technology.


Max shares the origin story of StrongRoom AI, which began during his university years with co-founder Christopher Durre. Initially focused on using facial recognition for medical record matching, they soon discovered the healthcare sector's reliance on paper records and outdated systems. This realization led them to pivot toward medication management, officially launching StrongRoom AI in 2017. Max reflects on the surprising technological backwardness in healthcare, highlighting the persistent use of paper and outdated systems like faxes in private hospitals and pharmacies.


Max and Anthony then delve into the slow adoption of new technology within the healthcare sector. Despite the clear benefits of technological advancements, many in the industry resist change due to a strong focus on customer care and business operations. Max explains that the risks and complexities involved in implementing new healthcare technology contribute significantly to this resistance, underscoring the critical importance of privacy and security. They share anecdotes about outdated systems, such as the continued use of Windows 95 and 7, illustrating the challenges faced in modernizing healthcare technology.


The discussion then shifts to the founding journey of StrongRoom AI. Max talks about his technical co-founder Chris, and the later addition of Kieran Start and industry veteran Mark Feldschuh as co-founders. He highlights his transition from a self-taught coder to focusing on other business aspects, emphasizing the importance of leveraging team strengths and the evolving nature of his role as the company grows. Max also shares valuable lessons learned from his previous job in door-to-door sales for solar panels, which provided insights into sales and Australian culture despite its challenges.


Max provides an in-depth look at the origins and evolution of StrongRoom AI. Initially focused on using facial recognition for data management in pharmacies, the company pivoted to specialize in medication management, particularly for controlled substances like opioids. He discusses the development of StrongRoom AI’s two product generations: the first improves workflow tools in healthcare settings, and the second integrates with dispensing software to enhance patient adherence and medication management through data analysis. This platform helps pharmacists make informed decisions, addressing issues like cost barriers and ensuring patients receive appropriate care.


Max concludes by sharing the challenges and lessons learned during StrongRoom AI's seven-year journey. He emphasizes the difficulties of rapid growth, particularly in maintaining customer support while onboarding numerous pharmacies. The critical importance of hiring the right people at the right time is highlighted, noting that both exceptional and poor hires significantly impact the company. Max reflects on the necessity of investing in automation early and the efficiency hindered by manual processes initially. He shares insights on humility and learning from mistakes, noting that true growth comes from continuous refinement and listening to team input. Additionally, Max discusses StrongRoom AI’s exciting international expansion plans, with DEA clearance to enter the US market and strategic moves in the UK, focusing on targeted growth in these regions and the unique opportunities presented by different healthcare systems.

Innovation in Healthcare: StrongRoom AI's Quest to Modernize Pharmacy | Ep 138 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis speaks to Tom Haramis, Founder & Producer of Mad Hatter Collective. He is also an award-winning producer at the Cannes World Film Festival, an executive video producer, and a visual storytelling strategist. Explore how Tom's passion for storytelling intersects with strategic business insights, offering invaluable lessons on creativity, authenticity, and scaling your entrepreneurial endeavors. Join us for an engaging conversation that bridges the gap between cinematic artistry and effective brand communication.

Tom shares his extensive journey in the film industry, detailing his work running a creative agency and independent micro studio, as well as his passion for storytelling through films and documentaries. He highlights the success of his feature documentary "Fight to Live," which garnered accolades at Cannes and will soon be available on major streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. Throughout his career, Tom has faced numerous challenges but emphasizes the importance of staying true to creative passions rather than merely chasing financial gain.

Anthony and Tom delve into the art of storytelling in video production for businesses. Tom asserts that storytelling is both an art and a science, crucial for creating compelling brand narratives. He discusses the importance of understanding the target audience and the objectives behind a story to ensure it resonates effectively. He also addresses the common challenge businesses face in balancing budget constraints with the need for high-quality storytelling, advising companies to engage creatives early in the process for better strategic content creation.

Tom also explores the difficulties businesses encounter when integrating video storytelling into their marketing strategies. He notes that businesses often delay video production until they face issues like low sales or high staff turnover, which could be mitigated with early video marketing efforts. Emphasizing the need for clear objectives and audience understanding, Tom reflects on how storytelling in filmmaking has evolved and the necessity for businesses to create engaging narratives to capture and retain audience attention amidst the social media noise.

Moreover, Anthony and Tom discuss the significance of aligning business objectives with the right content creators. Tom highlights that businesses frequently prioritize immediate financial gains at the expense of meaningful storytelling. He explains that successful content creation is a partnership where both parties benefit from the content's success. He stresses the need for businesses to collaborate with experienced creators who understand the business landscape and can produce content that resonates with the target audience rather than opting for quick, superficial solutions.

Lastly, Tom underscores the importance of consistency and authenticity in content creation. He advises startups to focus on gradually building an audience and leveraging free online tools to start with basic content creation strategies. Sharing his own experiences, Tom emphasizes the value of hands-on involvement and self-education to maintain business continuity, especially in the face of creative turnover. He advocates for a long-term approach to content creation, akin to the training regimens of top athletes, to achieve sustained success and reliability in business endeavors.

From Cannes to Netflix: Tom Haramis Unravels the Art of Storytelling | Ep 147 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Alex Samson, a distinguished tech entrepreneur and seasoned venture capitalist. With over two decades of experience and a track record of multiple successful exits, Alex brings invaluable insights into the venture capital landscape. From his journey transitioning from a software entrepreneur to a VC mentor at 500 Global and Founder Institute, Alex shares his expertise in navigating the complexities of fundraising, strategic investing, and the evolving startup ecosystem. Join us as Alex offers practical advice and profound observations on succeeding in the competitive world of venture capital.

Alex shares his transition from a successful software entrepreneur to a venture capitalist, discussing the hurdles he faced in starting a VC firm, such as securing substantial initial capital and the challenges of fundraising as a newcomer. He emphasizes that a proven track record in investing, rather than merely entrepreneurship, is crucial for succeeding in the VC world and highlights the value of diverse experiences in shaping the dynamics of different VC firms.

Alex delves into the complexities of moving from angel investing to managing a venture capital fund, noting the difficulties in raising funds from family offices and institutions. He explores strategic decisions in global investing, such as choosing geographical focuses and industry sectors like AI. While AI remains a popular investment area, Alex stresses the importance of carving out a specific niche within AI to stand out. He draws parallels to startups needing to find their product-market fit, underlining the importance of a well-defined strategy to attract investors and achieve returns.

Alex's extensive background in engineering and consultancy informs his approach to venture capital, viewing fund management as a complex product that requires careful consideration of investor acquisition costs, deal flow, and team capacity. He discusses the importance of a clear investment thesis, especially when targeting emerging markets and new technologies like biotech. Alex also addresses the challenges of raising initial fund capital and navigating the competitive landscape, emphasizing that successful investing often involves a long-term commitment.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing long-term investments with the need for periodic returns. Alex contrasts early-stage investments with late-stage opportunities and discusses the potential for secondary market exits as a liquidity strategy. He highlights the significance of understanding revenue growth metrics and valuation, noting that successful exits often require rapid growth and market penetration while pointing out the immature secondary market culture that complicates the investment process.

Finally, Alex offers advice for both technical and non-technical founders navigating the startup landscape. He suggests that engineers should leverage their problem-solving skills for business challenges and stresses the importance of having a strong team. Despite a tougher fundraising environment, Alex believes there are still opportunities to secure funds by validating business ideas with potential clients. He underscores the importance of understanding market needs, overcoming competition, and using market crises as opportunities to introduce innovative solutions.

Investor Insider: Alex Samson's Guide to Crushing the VC Game | Ep 161 | DevReady Podcast

We started the DevReady podcast to help non-techs build better technology. We have been exposed to so many non-techs that describe the struggle, uncertainty and challenges that can come with building technology.

The objective for the DevReady podcast to share these stories and give you the tools and insights so that you to can deliver on your vision and outcomes.

You will learn from non-tech founders that have invested their time and money into developing technology. We will discuss what worked, what didn’t and how they still managed to deliver real value to their users.  These stories are inspirational – demonstrating the determination, commitment and resolve it really takes to deliver technology.

Throughout the DevReady Podcast we also invite subject matter experts to the conversation to give you proven strategies and techniques to successfully take your idea through to delivery and beyond.

Enjoy the Podcast, it will challenge you, inspire you and provide the tools you will need to deliver real value with technology.

Welcome to Pharmacy View – Technology in Pharmacy Business Podcast Series where we provide regular interviews with Pharmacists and key industry people within the Australian Pharmacy and associated industry. In each podcast we look to discuss aspects of Pharmacy operation and how technology is improving or interacting with each guest’s current role or Pharmacy related business.

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