The Pharmacy Guild conducts an annual industry-wide survey to collect data enabling it to properly represent all of its members - from the small local pharmacy up to the larger banner groups - at all levels of government and industry.
The survey also ensures members have the latest information on hand when making important business decisions and planning for the future.
The annual survey, the Guild Digest, presents a snapshot of pharmacy operations in Australia for the preceding financial year.
Its primary purpose is to serve as a financial benchmarking tool for community pharmacy owners, managers and financial advisers in a rapidly evolving economic environment.
It is also used by banks and pharmacy brokers to assist with pharmacy valuations, and in negotiations with Government for Community Pharmacy Agreements.
The Digest reflects that Community pharmacies continue to play a pivotal role in providing primary healthcare and delivering a wide range of services, including dispensing prescriptions, distributing pharmacy-only and pharmacist-only medicines, and over-the-counter products, medication management, advice on minor ailments, vaccinations and other preventive care services.
The role of community pharmacies in accelerating the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, with population health and economic benefits as a result.
Ultimately, community pharmacies operate to improve the timely access and quality use of medicines in Australia.
The latest digest, Digest 2021, covers the financial year 2019-20 and is available for members to download here or is available to purchase for non-members who should email their inquiries to guild.nat@guild.org.au