Insurance broker’s risky move to protect tattoo practitioners pays off

Parmia Insurance’s decision to take on the nation’s challenging tattoo and body piercing sector has proven incredibly worthwhile, with hundreds of professionals taking advantage of the firm’s unique policies since their launch last November.

One of the only brokers in Australia to provide cover for the tattoo industry, Parmia specifically designed its policies to help protect the many upstanding tattoo and body piercing professionals who were being negatively impacted by the governments’ anti bikie campaign.

Director of Parmia and the National Insurance Broker Association’s 2013 Broker of the Year, Danny Gumm states that while he knew the move would be controversial, he felt that those working in the industry should be entitled to comprehensive protection.

“There was reluctance within our industry to develop policies for tattoo and body piercing artists because of the high risks involved,” he said. “As a result, many professionals in the industry had no way of protecting their businesses, which we felt wasn’t fair. We didn’t feel it was right to punish the significant portion of the tattoo and body piercing sector that is honestly going about their daily business and just trying to do their job.”

Written by Lloyd’s of London, Parmia has developed a tailored Industrial Special Risks Policy that provides property cover for tattoo studios, as well as property owners with tattoo studio occupancies.

This, in addition to the firm’s Medical Malpractice, Public and Products Liability Policy is ensuring that professionals in all areas of the tattoo and body piercing industry have maximum protection and peace of mind.

“We pride ourselves on not shying away from industries that are complex or that have a number of challenges,” Mr Gumm explained. “We’re proud of what we’ve developed for the tattoo sector and to be working together with professionals in this industry to develop a risk analysis that identifies their concerns and that addresses their insurance requirements.”

In just the few short months since its launch, Parmia has experienced an influx of calls from tattoo and body piercing professionals seeking to take out cover with the firm.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the response we’ve had and not just in terms of the number of people taking out the policies but with their attitude when they call us,” he said. “They’re just so thankful that someone is out there supporting them and willing to help.”

However while Parmia’s policies are a significant breakthrough for the tattoo industry, cover is subject to strict criteria with unacceptable risks including criminal conviction and new businesses.

“We have entered into this market knowing full well the risks,” explained Mr Gumm. “Obviously while we want to help businesses in the tattoo and body piercing industry gain cover, we also need to ensure that each applicant meets the criteria prior to evaluating their application for insurance.”

Established in Queensland in 2002, Parmia has quickly made a name for itself through its award winning work in the Australian beauty industry and for its unique approach to developing policies, with each package carefully tailored to suit its clients’ needs.

“Every industry we assist has its own unique risks that have to be addressed so we treat it as a priority to always meet personally with our clients to resolve any issues they face and to minimise the exposures of their industry,” Mr Gumm said.

For more information on Parmia or its policies for the tattoo and body piercing industry, please visit www.parmiainsurance.com.au.

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

New pharmacy service helps Australians to achieve better health outcomes

Half of the Australian population do not take their medication as prescribed, which has resulted in a high number of avoidable hospital admissions that are estimated to cost the economy approximately $1 million a year.

Looking to increase health outcomes for their customers, community pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores is implementing a new, free medication management program specifically designed to assist the 41% of Australians who stop taking their medication before they’re meant to.

With medication related illnesses currently causing approximately 140,000 hospital admissions per year, Professional Services Manager at Discount Drug Stores Casey Clark states she hopes the new service will educate customers on the risks of not following prescriptions properly.

“We developed this program to better inform and advise our customers on how to best take their medication and the side effects of not following the prescription, as well as to reassure them that the medication is safe and effective when taken properly,” she said. “It’s also about helping to make the whole process of filling and refilling prescriptions easier for them so that they can achieve better health outcomes.”

The new service, which allows customers or their nominated carers to receive prescription reminders via SMS, voicemail or email, is geared towards improving their health and wellbeing by ensuring they adhere to their medication.

“The biggest reasons for medication related illnesses stems from medication mismanagement,” Ms Clark explained. “Either they forget, have difficulty understanding how to take it, don’t take it at all because they’re worried about side effects or they self-medicate instead of following their doctor and pharmacist’s advice.”

This is what Discount Drug Stores’ medication management program aims to change by providing additional information resources and consultation time with its pharmacists that promote the importance of following prescriptions properly.

“People don’t realise how significantly their health can be affected by not properly following their prescription,” Ms Clark said. “This is particularly the case for those on preventative medicines for conditions like asthma, where while they might not necessarily notice any difference from missing a dose, it actually has a long-term negative effect.”  

Ms Clark continues, stating the programme also aims to raise awareness of the many different free health services pharmacies and pharmacists can offer to customers to improve their wellbeing.

“There’s a common misconception that pharmacists just fill prescriptions,” she explained. “Pharmacies and pharmacists are a great way for Australians to gain free, highly qualified medical and health advice and we want to encourage our customers to take advantage of this.”

In addition to issuing reminders, Discount Drug Stores’ medication program also enables customers to call their local pharmacy ahead of time so that pharmacists can prepare and have their prescriptions ready in advance.

This in conjunction with the community pharmacy brand’s dose administration aids and medication review services is working to ensure customers are equipped with the knowledge required to live healthier lifestyles.

“We hope our customers take advantage of our medication management programme,” said Ms Clark. “It will ensure they have a better understanding of how to manage their health and will also make this process easier for them.”

Discount Drug Stores’ medication management programme is available to all Australians, with people also able to nominate a carer to receive script notifications for them. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

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