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.

Free pharmacy health clinic encourages Australians to regularly test their hearing

To help combat hearing loss, a condition that is on the rise in Australia with experts predicting one in every four Australians to be affected by 2050, Australian pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores, together with Australian Hearing, is running free hearing clinics in over 100 of its stores from January to March.

With hearing loss most common amongst the elderly with one in two people aged over 60 suffering from the condition, Discount Drug Stores is aiming to raise awareness of the problem and the need for Australians to have their hearing regularly tested.

Professional Services Manager at Discount Drug Stores Casey Clark states that due to hearing loss occurring gradually, many Australians are often unaware that there is an issue until the condition has progressed to affecting their quality of life.

“Regular testing is vital to ensuring hearing problems are picked up and treated before permanent damage is done,” she said. “If caught early, those affected may only need to make small lifestyle changes in order to prevent further loss, such as turning down their iPod, wearing ear plugs at concerts or implementing additional safety practices in industrial work environments. However, if people wait until significant damage has occurred then often only the more invasive and expensive treatment options are available such as requiring a hearing aid or a cochlear implant.”

The social and psychological impacts of severe hearing loss can also be significant, with sufferers experiencing depression, social isolation, impaired memory and poor job performance as a result of not being able to hear properly.

Ms Clark states that these factors combined with the physical impairment are why it’s so important that Australians have their hearing tested regularly.

“It’s predicted that people take on average seven years to get their hearing tested and even then, it is because they’re being prompted by their friends or family to take action,” she explained. “Often by the time they’ve sought help, their condition has already significantly impacted their quality of life. This is what our clinics aim to address by giving customers a greater understanding of hearing loss and of the physical, social and psychological side effects that come from waiting too long to get tested.”

Ms Clark continues stating family intervention is still imperative though in getting sufferers to seek help and encourages family members to bring their loved ones who may have a hearing loss, to the clinics.

“Family members are uniquely positioned to notice the signs that their loved one might be struggling with a hearing impairment,” she said. “It’s important that if they are noticing any of the symptoms that they speak up and encourage them to seek help.”

During the clinics customers will be able to discuss their hearing concerns with an Australian Hearing Health Promotions Officer and will have their hearing tested using an audiometer, which involves participants listening for sounds while wearing light-weight headphones.

The Hearing Health Promotions Officer will then explain the outcome of the test and advise customers on what to do next or refer them to seek further medical advice if required.

Customers can also visit their local Discount Drug Store throughout the year to get general advice on ear care or to discuss their concerns regarding their hearing such as impairments caused by wax blockages and infections.

With Australia’s ageing population meaning hearing loss only looks to rise over the next decade, Ms Clark says she hopes the free clinics encourage more Australians to seek help early.

“Hearing loss is unfortunately not being taken as seriously as it should be,” she said. “We want to change this and to promote the importance of Australians getting a hearing test as regularly as they go to the dentist or visit the optometrist.”

For more information on Discount Drug Stores’ free hearing clinics, 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.

Award winning insurance broker secures cover for Australia’s toughest industry

Parmia Insurance, home of NIBA’s 2013 Australian Insurance Broker of the Year and QLD Young Professional of the Year, have taken on the tattoo and body piercing sector, developing two exclusive policies that aim to provide the difficult to cover industry with greater protection than ever before.

Tackling the challenging profession after seeing many businesses struggle to find insurance, Parmia’s policies, which are underwritten by world leading insurer Lloyd’s of London, uniquely provide tattoo practitioners with comprehensive coverage.

The firm’s tailored Industrial Special Risks (ISR) Policy provides property cover for tattoo studios, as well as property owners with tattoo studio occupancies. Property owners may also take advantage of Parmia’s additional Public and Products Liability Policy.

Founder and director of Parmia, Danny Gumm states that together with its existing combined Medical Malpractice, Public and Products Liability Policy, they ensure professionals working in all areas of the tattoo industry gain the maximum protection available.

“It was about finding a solution for those working in the industry, who were being affected by the many negative stereotypes associated with tattoo and body piercing,” he said. “In order for their business to survive, they needed someone who was willing to take a chance on them and that is what we’re aiming to do.”

Mr Gumm continues stating the firm was more than up for the challenge, with Parmia preferring to work with industries where it can develop solutions that will make a real, positive difference to businesses.

“We like to find an industry facing challenges, that we can immerse ourselves in”, he said. “Together with the client we develop a risk analysis, which identifies their concerns and enables us to better address their insurance requirements”.

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 businesses that have been established less than 18 months. 

“We have entered into this market knowing full well the risks and negative connotations,” 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 Insurance continues to work with Australian associations and industries and is currently in partnership with over 15 associations across Australia ranging from beauty and health to technology and the creative industries.

Parmia prides itself on delivering personal, award winning service and on developing industry specific insurance policies that address the needs of its clients.

“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 Insurance and its work with 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.

Discount Drug Stores enters men’s skincare market with the launch of Olympic swimmer Michael Klim’s Milk & Co range

Australian pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores is tapping into the rapidly growing and highly lucrative men’s skincare category by launching Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim’s Milk & Co range in all 116 of its stores.

One of the strongest categories in 2012, with a current value growth of 3%, according to Euromonitor International, Discount Drug Stores is looking to cater to the rising number of Aussie men whose skincare routines no longer rely on just water and soap.

It’s why the pharmacy brand has specifically selected Milk & Co with Merchandise Manager at Discount Drug Stores Adam Goss stating its native roots and high profile founder will make the range more appealing to the local market.

“Michael Klim is an Australian icon who many men look up to, which is one of the key reasons we believe Milk & Co will be a strong seller for Discount Drug Stores” Mr Goss explained. “I think men will prefer to purchase a product that is not only used by, but that is made by a fellow Aussie, over the big international brands.”

Together with his wife Lindy, Michael launched Milk & Co in 2008 with the aim of providing Australian men with an affordable, natural and Australian made skincare range that would help protect their skin against the nation’s tough climate.

Since its launch the range has gone from strength to strength and has now expanded from the original men’s range to now offer baby skincare products, with Discount Drug Stores also looking at stocking the brand’s new women’s skincare line and protein-rich food range, Active.

The freestyle and butterfly champion, who will launch the range personally in six Brisbane Discount Drug Stores, says Milk & Co is an ideal fit for the pharmacy brand that shares the same community minded, family friendly focus.

“Milk & Co has come a long way since I first developed the men’s range to combat sun and chlorine exposure,” he said. “I’m really proud of what Lindy and I have achieved and look forward to seeing it hopefully continue to grow and experience success in the Australian marketplace through quality retailers like Discount Drug Stores.”

“Milk & Co is affordable, natural and suitable for all of our customers,” agreed Mr Goss. “We think it has huge potential and will be well received in all of our pharmacies.”

The brand’s men’s and baby skincare product lines will launch in all of Discount Drug Stores’ 116 pharmacies with the group to look at releasing more of the range in the future.

On November 19, Michael Klim will visit Springwood Discount Drug Store from 9am to 11am, followed by Greenslopes Discount Drug Store from 12 noon to 2pm and Sunny Park Discount Drug Store from 3pm to 5pm.

On November 20, he will visit Whites Hill Discount Drug Store from 9am to 11am, followed by Aspley Discount Drug Store from 12 noon to 2pm and Beenleigh Discount Drug Store from 3pm to 5pm.

Mr Klim will meet and greet customers, sign autographs, talk about his new range as well as give demonstrations and taste testings on his new Milk & Co Active range. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

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

Customers to reap major benefits from new automated dispensing technology

Looking to improve customer service, Discount Drug Stores has adopted the very latest innovation in robotic dispensing systems which it says will cut waiting times and allow pharmacists to spend more time consulting with customers and offering health advice.

The state of the art Robotic Automatic Dispensing Systems (Rowa), are being trialled in two of Discount Drug Stores’ Queensland outlets from this month and are set to save pharmacists time.

They will enable the community minded brand to focus on what it does best; improving its customers’ health, with Discount Drug Stores partner and director Rosa Chen stating customers will reap the most benefits.

“The automatic dispensers will mean pharmacists will have more time to spend advising customers or providing additional healthcare services they can’t get elsewhere,” she said. “In addition customers will also benefit from decreased waiting times for their scripts to be filled. They will ensure customers can get the most out of their pharmacy visit.”

The move towards automated dispensing will also mean Discount Drug Stores can focus more on providing customers with the wide range of professional health care services such as bone density testing and vaccination clinics, that it has become known for.

“It will enable pharmacists to redirect their time to being more readily available to help their customers with their health care needs,” Ms Chen explained. “They’ll be able to provide customers with on-going health services such as naturopathy or with a consulting room where they can go to speak privately about their health.”

The Rowa machines store medicines by expiry date, size and rate of sales, with pharmacists now simply needing to key the name of the medication they require into the computer to receive it, rather than having to manually look through shelves and draws.

The machines also store 97% of a pharmacy’s dispensary and are designed to replace low-level tasks with high payback activities that better help to improve business for pharmacy with Ms Chen stating they will make a big difference to its level of care.

“The Rowa will not result in a reduction of staff in store,” she said. “In fact, it will mean there will be more staff free to talk to customers one on one about their healthcare concerns. The machine simply allows pharmacists to focus on the most important aspect of their job, which is being there for customers when they need them.”

Sunny Park Discount Drug Store in Brisbane and Richardson Road Discount Drug Store in Rockhampton will be the first stores in the brand to test the new German engineered robots that look to be the way of the future for all pharmacies.

“Whilst it’s a significant investment that may take up to seven years to pay off, automated dispensing will play a key role in growing our business,” said Ms Chen. “The overall benefits are expected to be significant so we believe it will be very worthwhile.”

Discount Drug Stores will trial the robots for up to six months before evaluating whether they will be rolled out in more of the brand’s stores.

For more information on Discount Drug Stores, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

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

Award winning insurance broker takes leading Australian web association from strength to strength

The National Insurance Broker Association’s 2013 Broker of the Year Parmia Insurance is proving its worth as Australia’s leading broker for membership groups with its recent work for the Australian Web Industry Association (AWIA).

While only signing a partnership with AWIA 12 months ago, Parmia has already helped to insure many of the association’s members with its tailored policy that uniquely accounts for all risks specific to web designers and developers.

Founder and Director of Parmia, which was established in Queensland in 2002, Danny Gumm states that the partnership between the two organisations was a result of Parmia’s comprehensive understanding of the industry.

“Upon analysis of the sector, we found that many web professionals were either not strongly protected against the unique exposures that their industry faced, or they were paying for cover that they didn’t need,” Mr Gumm explained. “We pride ourselves on working in their best interests, which we feel makes for a better partnership.”

Parmia worked extensively with world-leading insurer Lloyd’s of London to secure a policy for AWIA members that provided protection against some of the biggest risks facing the sector including infringement of intellectual property rights, breach of contract, invasion of privacy and misuse of information.

“Due to our incredibly strong connections with world leading insurers, we’ve been able to develop a tailored insurance policy for AWIA members that provides complete cover at an extremely affordable price,” said Mr Gumm. “I think that, in combination with the fact that we provide each member with personal, round the clock service, is what set us apart from our competitors.”

Chairman of AWIA Bret Treasure agrees, stating Parmia offers its members a level of security and protection that is unrivalled in the market place.

“Finding an insurance policy that suits the work that we do has always been difficult,” he said. “Parmia has provided a real solution to this that helps us to ensure that all of our members can operate efficiently and effectively, without having to constantly worry or wonder if they’re sufficiently protected for the services they’re providing.”

Currently working together with over 15 associations and membership based groups across Australia within a number of different industries from beauty and health to market research and graphic design, Parmia prides itself on delivering personal service.

“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 on a pre-agreed basis to resolve any issues they face and to minimise the exposures of their industry,” said Mr Gumm.

The company also goes above just providing insurance and risk management services for its clients, making it a point to support its associations’ key events such as AWIA’s recent Australian Web Awards.

Held in Sydney on October 25, Parmia was a principal sponsor of the awards which recognised and rewarded excellence within all areas of the web industry from website development to search engine marketing and social media.

“We like to really get to know our clients and to work with them in all facets of their business so that we know them inside and out,” explained Mr Gumm. “It’s the only way to really understand the risks they face and the level of cover they need.”

For more information on Parmia Insurance and its work with AWIA, 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.