Icon Group Founders and Chemist Warehouse partner up, eye hospital pharmacy expansion

The founders of veteran cancer care service Icon Group and leading pharmacy chain, Chemist Warehouse, are set to join forces.

Their goal? An expansion of the formidable Chemist Warehouse into hospital pharmacies across Australia.



Two luminaries from the pharmaceutical industry, Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, have joined hands with our Chemist Warehouse in what is being labelled a ‘game-changing’ move for the medical industry.

This new joint venture, aptly called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, also includes the legendary Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market.


pharm1.jpg
Chemist Warehouse and two pharmacy magnates join forces to bring Chemist Warehouse into Aussie hospitals. Credit: Shutterstock

For those who don't know the story behind Reid and Giles, these two powerhouses built the Icon Group, a leading cancer care provider, before selling it to private equity.

Dedicated to creating the best service for patients, the couple's combined wealth is estimated to be around a whopping $555 million AUD.



On the other hand, Chemist Warehouse duo Gance and Verrocchi gave Australia more than 500 stores with their innovative models and customer-centric strategies.

It’s fair to say Chemist Warehouse has made quite a name for itself in Australia, ruling the roost with sales exceeding $3 billion last year. But, despite being a titan in the high-street chemist world, the company has yet to crack the in-hospital pharmacy sector.

It appears this venture may be the key to breaking into this fragmented market.


pharm2.jpg
Australian chemist giant Chemist Warehouse seeks to expand its operations into hospital pharmacy outlets. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

For Reid and Giles, it's not the first time they've teamed up with the chemist giant. Two decades back, they sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.

Commenting on the epic collaboration, Reid shared her perspective with The Australian Financial Review: ‘We are starting in Australia but not limiting ourselves to only Australia,’ she said, hinting at future international expansions.

‘Chemist Warehouse has stores overseas. Looking at the Chemist Warehouse track record, they don't go into anything with a view of being passive in it. They're in the business of being category killers.’



A Chemist Warehouse spokesperson also indicated that the venture would not only open up more employment for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants and enhance their ‘highly sought-after trainee programme’ by introducing it to the hospital pharmacy environment.
Key Takeaways
  • Chemist Warehouse has formed a joint venture with Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, founders of Icon Group, to enter the hospital pharmacy sector.
  • The joint venture, called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, plans to initially enter the Australian market before potentially expanding internationally.
  • Reid and Giles, who share an estimated wealth of about $555 million, previously sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.
  • The new partnership is expected to create employment opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants while enabling Chemist Warehouse's sought-after trainee program to operate in a hospital pharmacy environment.
We'd love your thoughts on this development. It might be exciting to some and worrisome to others. What are your opinions on this story, members? Let us know!
 
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The founders of veteran cancer care service Icon Group and leading pharmacy chain, Chemist Warehouse, are set to join forces.

Their goal? An expansion of the formidable Chemist Warehouse into hospital pharmacies across Australia.



Two luminaries from the pharmaceutical industry, Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, have joined hands with our Chemist Warehouse in what is being labelled a ‘game-changing’ move for the medical industry.

This new joint venture, aptly called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, also includes the legendary Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market.


View attachment 26506
Chemist Warehouse and two pharmacy magnates join forces to bring Chemist Warehouse into Aussie hospitals. Credit: Shutterstock

For those who don't know the story behind Reid and Giles, these two powerhouses built the Icon Group, a leading cancer care provider, before selling it to private equity.

Dedicated to creating the best service for patients, the couple's combined wealth is estimated to be around a whopping $555 million AUD.



On the other hand, Chemist Warehouse duo Gance and Verrocchi gave Australia more than 500 stores with their innovative models and customer-centric strategies.

It’s fair to say Chemist Warehouse has made quite a name for itself in Australia, ruling the roost with sales exceeding $3 billion last year. But, despite being a titan in the high-street chemist world, the company has yet to crack the in-hospital pharmacy sector.

It appears this venture may be the key to breaking into this fragmented market.


View attachment 26507
Australian chemist giant Chemist Warehouse seeks to expand its operations into hospital pharmacy outlets. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

For Reid and Giles, it's not the first time they've teamed up with the chemist giant. Two decades back, they sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.

Commenting on the epic collaboration, Reid shared her perspective with The Australian Financial Review: ‘We are starting in Australia but not limiting ourselves to only Australia,’ she said, hinting at future international expansions.

‘Chemist Warehouse has stores overseas. Looking at the Chemist Warehouse track record, they don't go into anything with a view of being passive in it. They're in the business of being category killers.’



A Chemist Warehouse spokesperson also indicated that the venture would not only open up more employment for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants and enhance their ‘highly sought-after trainee programme’ by introducing it to the hospital pharmacy environment.
Key Takeaways

  • Chemist Warehouse has formed a joint venture with Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, founders of Icon Group, to enter the hospital pharmacy sector.
  • The joint venture, called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, plans to initially enter the Australian market before potentially expanding internationally.
  • Reid and Giles, who share an estimated wealth of about $555 million, previously sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.
  • The new partnership is expected to create employment opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants while enabling Chemist Warehouse's sought-after trainee program to operate in a hospital pharmacy environment.
We'd love your thoughts on this development. It might be exciting to some and worrisome to others. What are your opinions on this story, members? Let us know!
This a fantastic idea. Patients are sent home with a couple of days medications and prescriptions to achieve more. I was not able to get to a chemist for 6 weeks after my operation so if I could have filled my prescription while already at the hospital would have been so much easier. On the other hand, the carers, parents or visits that develop a headache or any other minor complaint can't receive anything even as simple as a panadol from the hospital unless they go to the emergency department, register as a patient and because it's not an urgent category can sit and wait for hours. Having a chemist in the hospitals would be convenient for everyone.
 
Hospitals already have pharmacies so What is their motive behind this. Using the reason for trainees,I don’t buy it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jennie and Liz
Chemist Warehouse has taken over my town. We have 3 stores which use to be 2 Amcal and 1 Guardian.
We do have on Terry White, 1 Good Price and 1 United.
I am now travelling further for generic brands of pain relief and anti-histamines.
Name brands are far to expensive even at the other chemists.
I hope each hospital has a say in their pharmacy joining Chemist Warehouse or not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Granny*Deb
The founders of veteran cancer care service Icon Group and leading pharmacy chain, Chemist Warehouse, are set to join forces.

Their goal? An expansion of the formidable Chemist Warehouse into hospital pharmacies across Australia.



Two luminaries from the pharmaceutical industry, Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, have joined hands with our Chemist Warehouse in what is being labelled a ‘game-changing’ move for the medical industry.

This new joint venture, aptly called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, also includes the legendary Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market.


View attachment 26506
Chemist Warehouse and two pharmacy magnates join forces to bring Chemist Warehouse into Aussie hospitals. Credit: Shutterstock

For those who don't know the story behind Reid and Giles, these two powerhouses built the Icon Group, a leading cancer care provider, before selling it to private equity.

Dedicated to creating the best service for patients, the couple's combined wealth is estimated to be around a whopping $555 million AUD.



On the other hand, Chemist Warehouse duo Gance and Verrocchi gave Australia more than 500 stores with their innovative models and customer-centric strategies.

It’s fair to say Chemist Warehouse has made quite a name for itself in Australia, ruling the roost with sales exceeding $3 billion last year. But, despite being a titan in the high-street chemist world, the company has yet to crack the in-hospital pharmacy sector.

It appears this venture may be the key to breaking into this fragmented market.


View attachment 26507
Australian chemist giant Chemist Warehouse seeks to expand its operations into hospital pharmacy outlets. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

For Reid and Giles, it's not the first time they've teamed up with the chemist giant. Two decades back, they sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.

Commenting on the epic collaboration, Reid shared her perspective with The Australian Financial Review: ‘We are starting in Australia but not limiting ourselves to only Australia,’ she said, hinting at future international expansions.

‘Chemist Warehouse has stores overseas. Looking at the Chemist Warehouse track record, they don't go into anything with a view of being passive in it. They're in the business of being category killers.’



A Chemist Warehouse spokesperson also indicated that the venture would not only open up more employment for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants and enhance their ‘highly sought-after trainee programme’ by introducing it to the hospital pharmacy environment.
Key Takeaways

  • Chemist Warehouse has formed a joint venture with Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, founders of Icon Group, to enter the hospital pharmacy sector.
  • The joint venture, called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, plans to initially enter the Australian market before potentially expanding internationally.
  • Reid and Giles, who share an estimated wealth of about $555 million, previously sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.
  • The new partnership is expected to create employment opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants while enabling Chemist Warehouse's sought-after trainee program to operate in a hospital pharmacy environment.
We'd love your thoughts on this development. It might be exciting to some and worrisome to others. What are your opinions on this story, members? Let us I've a

The founders of veteran cancer care service Icon Group and leading pharmacy chain, Chemist Warehouse, are set to join forces.

Their goal? An expansion of the formidable Chemist Warehouse into hospital pharmacies across Australia.



Two luminaries from the pharmaceutical industry, Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, have joined hands with our Chemist Warehouse in what is being labelled a ‘game-changing’ move for the medical industry.

This new joint venture, aptly called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, also includes the legendary Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market.


View attachment 26506
Chemist Warehouse and two pharmacy magnates join forces to bring Chemist Warehouse into Aussie hospitals. Credit: Shutterstock

For those who don't know the story behind Reid and Giles, these two powerhouses built the Icon Group, a leading cancer care provider, before selling it to private equity.

Dedicated to creating the best service for patients, the couple's combined wealth is estimated to be around a whopping $555 million AUD.



On the other hand, Chemist Warehouse duo Gance and Verrocchi gave Australia more than 500 stores with their innovative models and customer-centric strategies.

It’s fair to say Chemist Warehouse has made quite a name for itself in Australia, ruling the roost with sales exceeding $3 billion last year. But, despite being a titan in the high-street chemist world, the company has yet to crack the in-hospital pharmacy sector.

It appears this venture may be the key to breaking into this fragmented market.


View attachment 26507
Australian chemist giant Chemist Warehouse seeks to expand its operations into hospital pharmacy outlets. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

For Reid and Giles, it's not the first time they've teamed up with the chemist giant. Two decades back, they sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.

Commenting on the epic collaboration, Reid shared her perspective with The Australian Financial Review: ‘We are starting in Australia but not limiting ourselves to only Australia,’ she said, hinting at future international expansions.

‘Chemist Warehouse has stores overseas. Looking at the Chemist Warehouse track record, they don't go into anything with a view of being passive in it. They're in the business of being category killers.’



A Chemist Warehouse spokesperson also indicated that the venture would not only open up more employment for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants and enhance their ‘highly sought-after trainee programme’ by introducing it to the hospital pharmacy environment.
Key Takeaways

  • Chemist Warehouse has formed a joint venture with Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, founders of Icon Group, to enter the hospital pharmacy sector.
  • The joint venture, called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, plans to initially enter the Australian market before potentially expanding internationally.
  • Reid and Giles, who share an estimated wealth of about $555 million, previously sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.
  • The new partnership is expected to create employment opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants while enabling Chemist Warehouse's sought-after trainee program to operate in a hospital pharmacy environment.
We'd love your thoughts on this development. It might be exciting to some and worrisome to others. What are your opinions on this story, members? Let us know!
I've always been a believer that EVERY HOSPITAL should have a Pharmacy outlet, especially in the reginal area's where most of the Pharmacy's close by 5:30pm and are only open for a couple of hours on the weekend. These Pharmacy's could be staffed by a rotating roster by all the pharmacist within that town.
 
Yet another monopoly developing. I now avoid Chemist Warehouse to support my local Pharmacist who has provided excellent community service for the last 30 years. Woolworths and Coles are bad enough at price gouging, now that small grocery and butchers' businesses no longer exist.
 
The founders of veteran cancer care service Icon Group and leading pharmacy chain, Chemist Warehouse, are set to join forces.

Their goal? An expansion of the formidable Chemist Warehouse into hospital pharmacies across Australia.



Two luminaries from the pharmaceutical industry, Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, have joined hands with our Chemist Warehouse in what is being labelled a ‘game-changing’ move for the medical industry.

This new joint venture, aptly called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, also includes the legendary Chemist Warehouse founders Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, as together they aim to break into the in-hospital chemist market.


View attachment 26506
Chemist Warehouse and two pharmacy magnates join forces to bring Chemist Warehouse into Aussie hospitals. Credit: Shutterstock

For those who don't know the story behind Reid and Giles, these two powerhouses built the Icon Group, a leading cancer care provider, before selling it to private equity.

Dedicated to creating the best service for patients, the couple's combined wealth is estimated to be around a whopping $555 million AUD.



On the other hand, Chemist Warehouse duo Gance and Verrocchi gave Australia more than 500 stores with their innovative models and customer-centric strategies.

It’s fair to say Chemist Warehouse has made quite a name for itself in Australia, ruling the roost with sales exceeding $3 billion last year. But, despite being a titan in the high-street chemist world, the company has yet to crack the in-hospital pharmacy sector.

It appears this venture may be the key to breaking into this fragmented market.


View attachment 26507
Australian chemist giant Chemist Warehouse seeks to expand its operations into hospital pharmacy outlets. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

For Reid and Giles, it's not the first time they've teamed up with the chemist giant. Two decades back, they sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.

Commenting on the epic collaboration, Reid shared her perspective with The Australian Financial Review: ‘We are starting in Australia but not limiting ourselves to only Australia,’ she said, hinting at future international expansions.

‘Chemist Warehouse has stores overseas. Looking at the Chemist Warehouse track record, they don't go into anything with a view of being passive in it. They're in the business of being category killers.’



A Chemist Warehouse spokesperson also indicated that the venture would not only open up more employment for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants and enhance their ‘highly sought-after trainee programme’ by introducing it to the hospital pharmacy environment.
Key Takeaways

  • Chemist Warehouse has formed a joint venture with Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, founders of Icon Group, to enter the hospital pharmacy sector.
  • The joint venture, called Chemist Warehouse Hospital Pharmacy, plans to initially enter the Australian market before potentially expanding internationally.
  • Reid and Giles, who share an estimated wealth of about $555 million, previously sold the majority of their pharmacies in Queensland and Victoria to Chemist Warehouse.
  • The new partnership is expected to create employment opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants while enabling Chemist Warehouse's sought-after trainee program to operate in a hospital pharmacy environment.
We'd love your thoughts on this development. It might be exciting to some and worrisome to others. What are your opinions on this story, members? Let us know!
A separate independent pharmacy inside Hosp would b good. Hosp pharmacies are useless on discharge.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyberchook
Why do people talk about Chemist Warehouse and price gouging in the same breath .
I can't talk about other states but here in WA their prices are always excellent. I take Magnesium Vita
Gummies and always get them 50% off ($11). If I was to buy them in my country town they would be ,$26.50, and as much as I would like to support the local chemist an extra $15.50 per month over a year is a lot of money ($186.00 extra) and that's only one product.
Between myself and my daughter we buy only when the prices are 50% off and buy enough to last until the next sale. Last year we saved over $1500.
Certainly no price gouging here.
Even their products e.g. makeup, hair products are excellent prices all the
time, irregardless of specials.
 
Chemist Warehouse has taken over my town. We have 3 stores which use to be 2 Amcal and 1 Guardian.
We do have on Terry White, 1 Good Price and 1 United.
I am now travelling further for generic brands of pain relief and anti-histamines.
Name brands are far to expensive even at the other chemists.
I hope each hospital has a say in their pharmacy joining Chemist Warehouse or not.
I priced items at Chemist warehouse and found them dearer than Blooms Chemist in Wagga on 5 items I regularly buy. Only when they have specials are Chemist Warehouse cheaper.
 
I priced items at Chemist warehouse and found them dearer than Blooms Chemist in Wagga on 5 items I regularly buy. Only when they have specials are Chemist Warehouse cheaper.
Wait for the specials, and then buy enough for a few months, by then they will be back on special, I always buy on 50% off and just keep an eye on their specials, usually come around about every 2 to 3 months.
Simple really. If you don't have a Chemist Warehouse near you, you can always buy on line, the savings are more than worth the postage cost
 

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