The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is excited to announce the five finalists for the 2025 Guild Pharmacy of the Year Awards. These awards recognise community pharmacies across Australia that demonstrate exceptional patient care, innovative services, and a strong commitment to their local communities.
This year’s finalists have been recognised for their commitment to delivering a wide range of health services and supporting their patients beyond the traditional pharmacy role.
The five finalists for the 2025 award are:
Pharmacy Help, Karratha, WA
Pharmacy Help Karratha, led by owners Laura Stewart and Ben Teo, is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of one of Australia’s most remote communities. In a region where attracting and retaining staff can be challenging, they’ve put a lot of thought into creating a supportive environment for their team by offering workforce housing, competitive pay, and educational incentives. Their Sleep Apnoea Clinic, which is the only one within a 250k radius, has been a game-changer for the community saving patients from long trips to Perth.
But the pharmacy’s impact goes far beyond healthcare services. They’re deeply connected to the local community, running programs like “Little Scientists,” which introduces kids to science and fosters a love for learning. Through their partnership with Mawarnkarra Health Service, Pharmacy Help Karratha also provides culturally competent care to local Indigenous communities. With a mental health service soon to launch, the pharmacy continues to address gaps in care, ensuring that everyone in the community has access to the support they need.
“Our remoteness has often led to gaps in service in the mental health and suicide support space,” explains Laura.
Capital Chemist, Charnwood, ACT
Capital Chemist Charnwood has earned a strong reputation for providing accessible and compassionate healthcare to its community. With extended hours of over 90 a week, they ensure that care is always within reach, even offering urgent home deliveries for palliative care patients when it’s needed most.
“We want to make healthcare accessible to everyone,” said Rebecca, co-proprietor.
To achieve this, the pharmacy is deeply embedded in the community, offering a safe space for connection and collaboration. They work closely with local healthcare providers, running specialised clinics for conditions like lymphoedema, diabetes, and sleep apnoea, and providing educational support to empower patients in managing their health. Capital Chemist Charnwood also ensures that visiting the pharmacy is a positive experience for all, even going the extra mile to make the space enjoyable for children by offering Charnwood Mascot Fairy stickers and creating magical moments in their clinic rooms.
Berridale Pharmacy, NSW
Berridale Pharmacy provides dedicated service to the Snowy Mountains community, bridging the gap in healthcare access for its 1,300 residents and surrounding areas. In a region where healthcare can be limited, the pharmacy plays an essential role in ensuring that locals have access to high-quality care, without the need to travel long distances. This includes a delivery service that spans a 45km radius for those unable to visit the pharmacy in person.
The pharmacy offers specialised services that are rare in such remote areas. The team includes a Credentialled Diabetes Educator, an Asthma Educator, and a pharmacist studying Western Herbal Medicine, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, tailored care. They are also the sole provider of a Needle Syring eProgram and Sharps container collection service, helping reduce the risk of blood-borne infections.
Freya, the pharmacy’s owner, explains: "In a region where healthcare access can be limited, it’s important we bring these services right here to Berridale – saving people the long trips to larger cities for care."
Warnbro Pharmacy, WA
Warnbro Pharmacy is actively involved in its community, working closely with GPs, specialists, and allied health professionals to provide practical healthcare services. Instead of waiting for patients to come to them, the pharmacy team regularly visits GP practices within a 30-minute radius to offer services such as sleep apnoea screenings, Webster pack management, and flu vaccinations for local businesses.
In addition to these services, Warnbro Pharmacy is committed to supporting those with mobility and disability needs. As an NDIS-registered provider, they work with occupational therapists and physiotherapists to offer a wide range of mobility aids and assistive technology. Their mobility services have grown to include Rockingham Kwinana Mobility and Rehabilitation Supplies, which has expanded into two dedicated showrooms and a warehouse. The pharmacy provides everything from scooters to medical beds, and a dedicated workshop services this equipment for individuals and local businesses like the council.
“We’re committed to providing individuals with the right equipment, ensuring they live independently and with dignity. This is a vital part of our healthcare approach, and we’re proud to support our patients in this way.” explains Aaron Sangalli, co-owner.
Complete Care Pharmacy, Rosny Park, TAS
Complete Care Pharmacy has redefined community healthcare since its acquisition in 2019, introducing a more patient-focused approach that moves beyond traditional pharmacy models. The pharmacy now features private consultation areas, pharmacist pods, and clinic rooms, allowing for personalised care and seamless integration of services. The team also developed Excipient, a custom digital workflow system that streamlines operations, tracks real-time workloads, and sends SMS notifications to patients when prescriptions are ready for pickup.
Complete Care Pharmacy also offers specialised services to meet the evolving needs of the community, including on-site compounding, wound care, men’s health services, IVF support, plant-based medicine consultations and minor ailment care.
As a disability-friendly space, the pharmacy offers services like a daily "quiet hour" to support patients with sensory needs, ensuring that the pharmacy is accessible to all members of the community.
“We’ve reimagined the way we operate so that every patient interaction is meaningful,” co-owner Kristina Fox says.
Judges and Pharmacy Guild National Councillor Nick Panayiarsis praised the finalists, stating: “Each of our finalists exemplifies the heart of community pharmacy—delivering not only trusted medication advice but a wide range of health services that make a real difference in people’s lives. It is truly inspiring to see how these pharmacies go above and beyond to support the health and wellbeing of their communities.”
The winners, including the overall Guild Pharmacy of the Year, will be announced on 20 March at the 2025 APP Conference at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. In addition to the overall winner, the finalists will have the chance at taking home the following category awards:
- Excellence in Business Management Award – Sponsored by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API)
- Excellence in Community Engagement Award – Sponsored by Teva
- Excellence in Professional Innovation Award – Sponsored by CSL Seqirus
- Excellence in Harm Minimisation Award – Sponsored by Camurus, Indivior, and StrongRoom AI
Learn more about the finalists by reading their Pharmacy Profiles.
Best of luck to all finalists!
