Discount Drug Stores’ new Dose Administration Aid system helps Australians to better manage their medication

Following on from its highly successful script reminder service, Discount Drug Stores is launching a new Dose Administration Aid system to further help customers on multiple prescriptions keep track of all of their medications and when to take them.

Looking to prevent its customers with conditions that require them to take several different medications and doses at regular times from losing track of their obligations, Discount Drug Stores has just released the EasyMeds Pack which promises to offer these customers a much needed helping hand.

A convenient tool that clearly organises a customer’s medication dosage by day and time, Professional Services Manager Casey Clark states the new system is part of the pharmacy brand’s focus on continually improving its customers’ quality of life.

“Many Australians have conditions that require them to take several medications every day, which can be difficult and stressful to manage,” she said. “Our EasyMeds Dose Administration Aid simplifies this process, giving them more time to focus on other tasks and feel less worried about managing their medical condition.”
The EasyMeds Packs are also looking to stop customers from mixing up medications that look similar or from accidentally overdosing because they can’t remember if they’ve already taken their tablets; errors that could lead to serious consequences.

“There are more than 190,000 hospital admissions in Australia every year attributable to medication dosage errors which is estimated to cost around $660 million,” she explained. “In addition to this, many people don’t realise how dangerous it can be to not take medication at the time outlined on the prescription. So it’s a problem that really needs addressing and that’s what our EasyMeds System is aiming to do.”

The new disposable EasyMeds Packs contain all of a customer’s medication for the week categorised by day and then sub categorised by time, allowing customers to quickly and easily take the right dosage, without taking time out from their busy lives.

It’s a convenient tool that combined with Discount Drug Stores’ script reminder service, which sends customers SMS or email notifications when it’s time to refill their script, is also working to improve prescription compliance.

“Prescription compliance is a significant issue in Australia with 50 per cent of the population struggling to adhere to their medications,” explained Ms Clark. “Discount Drug Stores is really working to reduce this high percentage through implementing these new systems that really do remove the stress associated with managing several different medications.”

In addition to these new systems, Discount Drug Stores also offers its customers the option of their local pharmacist liaising with their doctor on their behalf to ensure that they never run out of their medication.
“Ultimately, we want to help our customers to be healthy and to enjoy their lives,” said Ms Clark. “They shouldn’t have to spend their valuable time organising their medications and measuring their doses when this is something that our pharmacists can do for them in half the time.”

Discount Drug Stores’ EasyMeds packs are available at the majority of the franchise’s 110 stores. For more information about Discount Drug Stores’ Dose Administration Aid system and EasyMeds Packs, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

Media enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 and 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au

Discount Drug Stores launches comprehensive online training portal as it continues to achieve service excellence

Looking to position itself as Australia’s leading pharmacy brand for delivering quality customer service, Discount Drug Stores has now launched a comprehensive online training portal for its employees and pharmacists.

The innovative system that has been specially designed by the group will strengthen the brand’s current in-house training systems and further increase efficiency within Discount Drug Stores’ 110 pharmacies.

General Manager of the community focused franchise, Douglas Kuskopf-Dallas states it’s part of Discount Drug Stores’ focus on achieving service excellence in 2013, a key objective that was announced at the company’s recent national conference.

“Discount Drug Stores has achieved significant and rapid growth over the past six years due to our systems and internal strategies that focus on providing customers with comprehensive, high quality healthcare services,” he said.

“In 2013, we want to strengthen this point of difference and we believe that to do this, we needed a new internal system that would give our in store personnel access to the very latest training and resources.”

The new online education portal, which includes continual professional development for pharmacists, product and supplier training, will also streamline internal operations for Discount Drug Stores, with pharmacists and other pharmacy personnel now able to complete all their training in one place.

“By bringing all training in-house, it will be easier for our pharmacists to not only complete their required training but to access education resources and information that they would not have otherwise come across,” explained Mr Kuskopf-Dallas. “It will ensure our pharmacists are among the best in the industry and will give us an added edge over our competition.”

Discount Drug Stores, which was founded by pharmacists John Clark and Peter Newman in 2001, has long been known as a provider of high quality but affordable pharmacy healthcare products and services.

It’s a point of difference within the highly competitive pharmacy industry that has served the brand well, with the group now totalling 110 stores nationally just seven years after it first began franchising.

Mr Kuskopf-Dallas states Discount Drug Stores is all about customer care and that the online training system will enable the brand to keep training consistent across all of its pharmacists and stores and in line with the company’s core founding values.

“We want to make sure that every Discount Drug Stores customer is receiving the same high level of service and attention,” he said. “This in-house online training portal will help us to achieve this and will aid our mission of cementing Discount Drug Stores as the leading pharmacy brand when it comes to delivering service excellence.”

Discount Drug Stores’ online training portal will be available to all of the brand’s employees, franchisees and pharmacists. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

Media enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 and 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au

Discount Drug Stores helps FreeToBeKids to give victims of child exploitation in Kolkata a new lease on life

Currently, 215 million children living in third world nations are being sold into some form of child labour, a shocking and disturbing fact that has prompted Australian pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores to lend its support in the fight against child exploitation.

Linking with humanitarian group FreeToBeKids, a team of Discount Drug Stores staff will this year volunteer in Kolkata to help the charity on its mission to rescue and give victims of child exploitation a better life.

The third year that Discount Drug Stores has provided support to the worthwhile not for profit group, which has helped over 100 children to escape devastating circumstances, it now is hoping to make a real difference through its aid mission.

“We really wanted to help this wonderful organisation in a more physical way,” explained Discount Drug Stores’ Volunteer Charities Coordinator, Sharyn Clark. “By going to Kolkata, we’ll not only be able to use our skills to hopefully further enhance the centre but we’ll also get to see first-hand the remarkable work of this organisation and to meet the children who we’ve watched grow from afar.

“It will also allow us to experience the many facets of their culture that we would be unable to truly grasp without being there in person,” she continued.

A humanitarian group that was founded by Benj Geerling after a girl was offered to him on the streets of India for just a few dollars, FreeToBeKids focuses on reaching the most vulnerable children and providing them with a space where they can thrive.

The organisation currently has four children’s homes across India and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Discount Drug Stores to volunteer at its Kolkata location where staff will undertake building and painting tasks as well as activities to help further the children’s education.

“We’ve deeply invested in this cause,” explained Mrs Clark. “We believe all children should be afforded a chance in life and anything that we can do to make the lives of these kids better is well worth it.”

Discount Drug Stores currently sponsors two FreeToBeKids children and has donated more than $20,000 to the organisation through special fundraising campaigns run throughout its stores.

This month for example, the pharmacy brand is running a special catalogue promotion with all stores set to donate up to 50 cents from each sale of over 50 popular products including a range of Bioglan vitamins, Berocca and Discount Drug Stores’ own brand of medications.

However despite all of Discount Drug Stores’ on-going efforts, Mrs Clark says the group feels compelled to do even more to help fight child exploitation.

“The exploitation of children, no matter where in the world it occurs, is shocking and needs to stop,” she said. “FreeToBeKids is an organisation with a mandate to stand up for these children, to protect them and to give them back their human rights and that is something that we just have to be a part of.”

Seven employees from Discount Drug Stores, including Mrs Clark and a Discount Drug Stores franchise owner will be travelling to Kolkata in August to work at the FreeToBeKids home for one week. Project Manager of FreeToBeKids’ Kolkata Child Rescue & Development Centre Jeanette Thompson states the charity is incredibly grateful to the pharmacy brand for its continuing contribution.

“We’re so thankful to Discount Drug Stores for all they’ve contributed and continue to give to FreeToBeKids,” she said. “We rely on donations and support from people and organisations to keep our shelters running and Discount Drug Stores has proven absolutely invaluable to our cause over the past three years.”

For more information on Discount Drug Stores’ partnership with FreeToBeKids, please visit http://www.discountdrugstores.com.au/charity.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 or 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au

Queensland agency Graymedia appoints a leading senior graphic designer to further drive its marketing strength

Looking to capitalise even further on the natural synergy between marketing and PR, leading Queensland based agency Graymedia has appointed a top senior designer to head its now expanded marketing department to ensure it takes a greater hold in the Australian creative market.

As one of the early PR agencies to introduce integrated marketing services as part of its offering, Graymedia is now looking to be a force to be reckoned with by appointing former lead graphic designer for Mars Chocolate in Australia, Julia Afflekt, as head of its now more extensive marketing department.

With an impressive line up of clients engaging Graymedia for its integrated services such as the Brisbane Broncos, Pfizer, Discount Drug Stores, the Australian Private Hospitals Association and Watpac, to name just a few, Director Yasmine Gray says the time had come to go that one step further and take Graymedia’s marketing offerings to another level.

“We have always offered a complete service,” Mrs Gray explained, “however to be honest we always felt it was difficult to compete with the more established ‘big name’ firms when it came to our marketing services.
“Over time however we have proven ourselves again and again as being more than capable of not only delivering a high level of service but of being just as creative as those with a more established reputation in the field of marketing. By appointing Julia we now have proven experience in our department that will take us onto the next level and we are all very excited about where this might take us next.”

Ms Afflekt boasts over ten years of experience in marketing and graphic design and before Mars Chocolate Australia worked for key brands such as Fujitsu, Philips and well known sports brand Polar Electro.
With extensive knowledge in point of sale and packaging Julia promises to add new strengths to the Graymedia marketing team that is set to continue to grow.

“This is an exciting time for me to join Graymedia,“ Julia says. “This small but dynamic firm has a strength and passion that is infectious and I am looking forward to helping further develop our reputation in the creative space.

“We have such a wide variety and diverse range of brands that we look after and that really helps to keep us creatively fresh and challenged. I hope to help ensure that Graymedia now becomes known, not just as a quality PR company but also one that is equally competitive when it comes to marketing. Everything here is about quality and I am more than happy to be a part of that.”

Graymedia was established in 2009 by Yasmine Gray who has nearly 30 years of experience in PR, marketing and media and is a Director of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and Director of Marketing and Communications for the Australian Baseball Federation.

Mrs Gray says she has always believed that PR and marketing should work together and is looking forward to seeing this part of the business grow with the appointment of Ms Afflekt.

“We needed someone who could not only help head up our marketing department but that had the practical experience to ensure our marketing services were truly complete. Already our current clients are enjoying the new options Julia has introduced to our services and we look forward to increasing this side of our business and to become truly recognised as a fully integrated PR and marketing agency.”

For more information on Graymedia please go to: www.graymedia.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Please contact Melissa Payne at Graymedia on 07 3250 9404, email gms.admin1@graymedia.com.au or Suzanne Ross on 07 3250 9406, email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.

Australia’s largest ever wartime re-enactment event brings history to life

Drawing together military enthusiasts from all over the country, the Anzac legend is celebrated at Emu Gully in the most accurate modern re-enactment in the Southern hemisphere, with the country’s largest collection of tanks, troops and war planes battling it out in an incredible display of simulated explosions, gunfire, and combat.

Queensland’s annual Emu Gully Air and Land Spectacular is a trip back in time for visitors of all ages, using interactive features such as unique tours of trenches and air raid bunkers, rides in military vehicles, servings of authentic food and live music to re-create life as World War 1 soldier.

The event aims to immerse all visitors in the lifestyle of both soldiers and ordinary people in the wartime era, with two action-packed days of thrilling battle re-enactments, tours of army encampments, live music, and army-themed rides, assisted by more than 10 re-enactment groups from across Australia.  

“This event brings together people who have a real passion for the ANZAC legend, and want to ensure that all our future generations feel the same way” said Event Director, Barry Rodgers. “Not only are all our military vehicles and firearms historically accurate, but the weekend is a lot of fun with simulated trench and Light Horse battles, our most exciting aerial displays yet, and spectacular pyrotechnic effects.

“It truly is an amazing experience and gives young and old a real insight into the World War One era in a more interactive and entertaining way than a textbook ever could,”
Mr Rodgers says.

With five battle re-enactments per day and the biggest ever collection of original and restored war planes fighting in the sky overhead, it really will take a full day to experience all the Spectacular has to offer, and the young children won’t miss out with an ‘Animals that Went to War’ petting zoo and a model tank display.

 “We have made sure that people of all ages will have a great time, from the laser skirmish, ‘Animals that Went to War’ petting zoo and Vietnam tunnels for the kids, to the fiery battle re-enactments and 1940s music and fashion for the adults, it’s the ideal unique event for the whole family,” Mr Rodgers says.

The popular network of WWI trenches has been enhanced with an underground bunker, furnished with a WWI telephone system, a gramophone, and visitors will receive a serving of bully beef, biscuits and a mug of hot tea, so they can experience just how the troops lived, ate and entertained themselves during their long stays in the trenches.

In an exciting first, a replica Anderson bomb shelter will give attendees a realistic portrayal of what it would have been like to endure an air raid, complete with a complex sound system that fully simulates the terrifying bombs falling and exploding all around.

As a memento of the Spectacular, a photo booth will allow individuals and couples to snap a sepia-hued photo in authentic period costume. Costumes of a Light Horseman, an airman, a soldier, a nurse and a lady of the 1940s will be supplied, to add to the feel that the visitor has really gone back in time.

Supported by the Regional Development Program of Tourism and Events Queensland, the Emu Gully Air and Land Spectacular is held in Helidon Spa, Toowoomba, on May 18 and 19, and more information and tickets can be found on the website .www.airandlandshow.com.au


Media enquiries:
Kate Shuttleworth
Public Relations and Marketing Consultant
Graymedia
E: k.shuttleworth@graymedia.com.au
P: 07 3250 9402
M: 0418 723 841

New national bowel health awareness clinic aims to diagnose Australians most at risk of bowel cancer before it’s too late

Looking to reduce the high number of Australians who are losing their lives to bowel cancer every year, community pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores is launching a national awareness clinic in June in over 100 of its stores.

The first pharmacy brand in Australia to implement a specific health awareness clinic targeting bowel health & bowel cancer, Discount Drug Stores is hoping to alert Australians before the disease becomes fatal as bowel cancer has a 90% success rate if caught in time.

The clinic comes after bowel cancer testing kits sold at Discount Drug Stores pharmacies last year helped to diagnose 63 Australians with bowel cancer or key risk factors of the disease such as polyps.

Professional Services Manager Casey Clark stated the positive results prompted the brand to do even more to identify those most at risk early to reduce the almost 14,000 Australians who are being diagnosed with bowel cancer every year.

“Bowel cancer kills more Australians than breast or prostate cancer but it also has one of the best survival rates if it is caught early,” she said. “The results from the year round testing service showed that we can make a difference and encouraged us to launch this clinic to help and hopefully save the lives of hundreds more Australians.”

A simple, 15 minute in-store consultation, Discount Drug Stores’ bowel health awareness clinics will allow Australians to sit down with a qualified nurse who will assess their lifestyle, determine if they have any risk factors and then advise them on the most appropriate way for that person to test for bowel cancer.

Ms Clark states the clinics are also aiming to increase awareness of bowel cancer as whilst the disease is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in Australia, it is also one of the least spoken about.

“Obviously it’s not a pretty topic so many people don’t want to talk about it and would rather just bury their heads in the sand,” she explained, “but bowel cancer kills around 77 Australians each week so it’s incredibly important to raise awareness, not just about the disease but about the warning signs and how and where you should get tested.”

Incorrectly thought of by some as an ‘old man’s’ disease, Chief Executive Officer of Bowel Cancer Australia Julien Wiggins said that anyone aged 50 and over with no symptoms should be screening for bowel cancer with a FOB test every one to two years.

“It’s a simple, effective way to detect the disease early and to prevent it from becoming fatal,” he said. “Bowel cancer affects men and women almost equally and your risk of getting the disease doubles from the age of fifty.

“It also affects 1,000 people under the age of 50 every year so it’s completely inaccurate to think that it’s just a condition that affects old men,” Mr Wiggins continued. “It’s crucial that people don’t ignore symptoms or simply assume it’s something other than bowel cancer, without seeing their GP and having the proper investigations done.”

“We’re also encouraging our customers to book family members into the clinic who are aged 50 and over,” added Ms Clark. “Ultimately it’s about getting everyone thinking and talking about the disease because that’s what’s going to encourage more people to test for bowel cancer and to test early.”

Over and above the awareness clinics, Discount Drug Stores is also playing a vital role in ensuring Australians are regularly testing for the deadly disease every 1 to 2 years as per medical guidelines, by assisting with annual reminders.

“Pharmacists are easily accessible, healthcare professionals who can provide important advice and recommendations about bowel cancer,” said Mr Wiggins. “By providing BowelScreen Australia® test kits, they are also providing immediate access to a practical screening solution.”

“It’s a simple process of people purchasing an at home test, completing it in the comfort of their own home and then sending it off to pathology to get their results,” he continued.

The fact that customers don’t need to bring their Bowelscreen test back to the pharmacy for processing, unlike some other screening programs, is also helping to make bowel cancer testing less embarrassing.

“It’s a much nicer and quicker process for a customer as it’s really working to remove the ick factor often associated with the disease,” said Ms Clark.

Bowel Cancer Australia’s Bowelscreen kits are the most effective at home bowel cancer testing kits available on the market, detecting 9 out of 10 cancers. Australians experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, anaemia and changes in bowel habit or who find blood in the toilet after use, are advised to visit their local GP.

Discount Drug Stores’ bowel health awareness clinics will run in the majority of the brands stores across Australia. Bookings are recommended in order to secure an appointment.  Bowelscreen Australia® test kits are also available for purchase in Discount Drug Stores pharmacies throughout the year. For more information please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

Media enquiries: Please contact Suzanne Ross at Graymedia
on 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au

Australians Understand the Real Value of Private Hospitals

Providing patients with choice of doctor, offering timely access to services and better care are the top three reasons Australians value private hospitals in this country* according to new research commissioned by the Australian Private Hospitals Association in time for Private Hospitals Week (12‐18 May 2013).

“This research clearly shows when Australians are sick or injured, they want the peace of mind that they will be treated by the doctor they choose and that they will receive treatment when they need it, without waiting,” said Michael Roff, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Private Hospitals Association. “They know they will also receive better, more personalised care in a private hospital.”

This week more than 300 private hospitals and day surgeries are celebrating the fourth annual Private Hospitals Week to help raise awareness of the important role private hospitals play in delivering quality and timely care for Australians.

“Private Hospitals Week is an excellent opportunity for us to highlight the services private hospitals and day
surgeries provide to Australians across the country,” said Mr Roff. “Private hospitals are vital to the Australian health care system. Without private hospitals many Australians would not get the care they need when they need it.”

Simple statistics tell the story:
 Private hospitals treat 40% of all patients in Australia each year.
 Private hospitals and day surgeries perform 2 out of every 3 elective surgeries.
 Private hospitals perform 45% of all heart surgeries in Australia.
 Private hospitals and day clinics provide more than 40% of chemotherapy.
 Private hospitals treat 70% of people admitted for rehabilitation each year.

“We are also encouraging our patients, staff and the local community to speak up and share why they value
Australia’s private hospitals on our website and on our Facebook page,” concluded Mr Roff.

‐Ends‐

Notes to editors:
For more information about Private Hospitals Week and the Valuing Private Hospitals campaign, see
www.privatehospitals.org.au or Australia’s Private Hospitals on Facebook. For more information or to interview Mr Roff, contact Lisa Ramshaw, Director of Communications at APHA on 0413 971 999.

*The Role of Private Hospitals in Australia, 2013 Community Attitudes Research surveying 1,652 Australian residents aged 18+, Undertaken by Proof Research on
behalf of APHA, April 2013.

New environmental campaign prompts young Australians to become ECO. Warriors in the fight against marine pollution

A new generation of environmental activists is emerging to help fight marine pollution in Australia, thanks to the launch of an innovative campaign that’s turning teenagers into ECO. Warriors.

The brainchild of Australian natural skincare company ECO. Modern Essentials and not for profit group Take 3, the ECO. Clean Beach Initiative is creatively using social media to encourage teenagers to get outside and to help clean up the nation’s beaches.

Hoping to reduce marine pollution in Australia, an issue that globally is estimated to kill more than one million sea creatures each year, the ECO. Clean Beach Initiative centres on a YouTube competition to find Australia’s most active and passionate ECO. Warrior.

Co-Founder of the initiative, Claire Mitchell, states the campaign is aiming to change behaviour of Australia’s future generations, as young Australians are the ones who will determine the nation’s future environmental sustainability.

“To have a long term affect we really need to get young Australians involved and caring about our environment,” she said, “because ultimately they will be affected if there are no beaches or if our native wildlife is extinct in ten years’ time.”

Over the next six months, the ECO. Clean Beach Initiative will encourage young Australians from every state and territory to upload creative and fun videos showing how they’re helping to clean up their local beaches, with the teenager whose YouTube clip receives the most likes and comments at the end of the campaign to become the face of the initiative.

“It’s about creating an army of ECO. Warriors who others can look up to and be inspired by,” Ms Mitchell continued. “We want to create real change and greater discussion about and awareness of marine pollution and just how badly it’s impacting our environment.”

“The United Nations estimates that over 6 million tonnes of plastic debris enters the world’s oceans every year and that plastic can now be found on every beach in the world and in every corner of the ocean,” added Co-Founder of Take 3, Tim Silverwood. “If we can help to reduce that level just in Australia, we’ll be making a huge difference, so we really do urge everyone to get involved.”

ECO. is also hoping to raise over $15,000 for Take 3 over the six month campaign through donating a percentage of sales from every ECO. product sold to the Take 3 cause, with Ms Mitchell strongly believing that social media will be critical to the initiative’s success.

“We really feel that if we are going to make a difference and spark a movement then we have to do it via social media,” she said. “It’s where this younger generation communicates and where they have a very strong voice. Just one 15 year old posting about our campaign could reach thousands so it’s a very powerful tool.”

To add even further incentive for Australians to become ECO. Warriors, the ECO. Clean Beach Initiative will also host a beach party at the end of the six months in the state or territory that’s been the most involved in the campaign, with big name musicians and celebrities promised.

Ms Mitchell, who came up with the idea for the campaign after being inspired by Take 3’s simple message of ‘take 3 pieces of rubbish with you whenever you leave the beach’, states it’s all about encouraging Australians to start taking pride in the nation’s iconic beaches and local environment again.

“I came across Take 3 last year and was absolutely amazed by what they’d achieved, not only in the way of pollution clean-ups, but, more importantly in motivating young Australians to get involved,” she said. “I really wanted to help and offer my support and I hope that by getting ECO. Modern Essentials’ large and loyal following involved in Take 3’s mission, that we’ll finally find a solution to marine pollution.”

To view the first ECO. Warrior YouTube entrant please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoX5lYZxTUw and to learn more about the campaign visit www.ecocleanbeach.com.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Ross
on 07 3250 9406 or 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au