FIVE MINUTES WITH ERIN FARRAR, PHARMACY MANAGER, GEELONG WEST, COMMUNITY CARE CHEMIST

Since 2012, Erin  Farrar has worked as a pharmacist at Community Care Chemist and now is Head Pharmacist at CCC’s Geelong West pharmacy.  Erin has been an integral force behind the Sleep  Apnoea Program and hopes to continue sharing her  health knowledge with the residents of Greater Geelong.  

Let’s get to know Erin and what makes her the pharmacist she is today.

What made you decide to become a pharmacist?  How long have you been a pharmacist? When did you join CCC?  

Pharmacy was something I  fell into: with a strong science background and a family who are passionate about chemistry, becoming a pharmacist just seemed right. I have been a pharmacist for three years now and joined Community Care Chemist when I had been registered for just one week. I began my career with Community Care in Belmont where I stayed for two years before being appointed manager of the Geelong store, where I have been for just over a year now. 

What excites you about being a pharmacist and in healthcare?

Health is so important! Everyone cares about their health and to be able to help someone is a great feeling.  Medications are often scary and foreign to many people. Being a pharmacist, with  rounded expertise  in wellbeing I have the ability to allay fears through information and education. . I have a big interest in integrated medicines and it is exciting to see our general society moving towards proactive, whole health and an integrative medicine approach. 

How and why are pharmacists so important to people?  

We are the first point of call and we have a very broad knowledge of health care. We are easily accessible and can provide sound advice for most conditions. In Geelong West, I have launched a Sleep Apnoea program and it has made such a difference to so many of my patients’ lives.  A pharmacy program like this has no waiting times and may lead to treatment almost instantly. Programs such as the Painwise chronic pain program at Belmont and the diabetes program at North Geelong Community Care demonstrate the value pharmacists can give back to their community – pharmacists also have the best medication knowledge of any health professional.

How has the pharmacist’s role changed for people over the last five to ten years?

I was lucky enough to come into pharmacy at a pivotal time of change.  Instead of the pharmacist predominantly having a ‘behind the counter’ role as seen in the past, CCC has lead the charge in making pharmacists more accessible. Over recent times, the public’s awareness of complementary medicines has been heightened so, as pharmacists we help to integrate prescribed medicines with more natural medicines, safely and advantageously for the patient.

Tell me about your CCC experience so far as a pharmacist?

For me, as a young pharmacist, Community Care Chemist was a model pharmacy to utilize my new professional skills. CCC encourages professionalism and expert knowledge which are very important to me. I have been able to work with a team of pharmacists which has lead me to develop more knowledge and skills than I would have if left in a busy pharmacy on my own. CCC has also helped to develop me as a leader and a pharmacist by investing in training, sometimes interstate.

Why is sleep apnoea  such an important health issue to discuss in not only Greater Geelong but in Australia?

The statistics speak for themselves, 5% of Australians have sleep apnoea and of those patients 8/10 are not diagnosed! For a condition that can have such a big influence on your wellbeing, and that is so easy to treat, it is such a shame that so many people out there are being left untreated and undiagnosed. Untreated sleep apnoea may lead to increased blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, migraines and may even cut 10 years off your life. 

What is on offer in terms of sleep apnoea in Geelong West?

A simple diagnosis is available at my pharmacy with no waiting times, and the ability to have your sleep monitored while sleeping in your own bed.If a patient is diagnosed with the condition we offer a trial and purchase of CPAP machines and mouth guards. 

What is your top advice to someone who may be affected by sleep aponea?

Get it checked out!

Why do you think sleep apnoea  numbers are growing Australia wide?

Sleep apnoea is linked to obesity, however in saying that anyone can have it whether it be a young child or extremely fit person. As Australians get larger the number of people with sleep apnoea will increase

When someone enters CCC Geelong West, what will they discover?

A professional dispensary with an integrated medicine approach and happy, helpful staff.

Why do you think customer service is so important in a pharmacy?

Customers need to feel comfortable in speaking about their health and this is a lot more likely with a readily available, friendly and polite staff member

What do you enjoy outside of pharmacy?

Spending time out with my dogs, I have two boxers who are full of energy so we go for lots of walks. I am an Essendon member so I travel to  Melbourne most weekends to watch the game. I also enjoy traveling and have recently returned from my honeymoon in Europe and am now holding out until my next big trip.

What is the last movie your saw and did you enjoy it?

After recently spending two weeks at home having had my appendix removed I watched a lot of movies, non of which were particularly good, but I am more  a TV program person and have been really getting into The Walking Dead recently. 

Name five people in your ultimate dinner party guest list and why?

The Dalai Lama, President Obama, Batman, Luis Suarez and Nelson Mandela. To discuss world peace and soccer.

FIVE MINUTES WITH DAVID PYNE, PHARMACY MANAGER, WEST GEELONG, COMMUNITY CARE CHEMIST

Since 2014, David Pyne has headed up the Community Care Chemist in North Geelong.  David and his team of pharmacists have played a pivotal role in setting up a comprehensive Diabetes program, including stocking a suite of products and services including the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) products and all major insulin types.

David is a passionate pharmacist who is keen to share his knowledge to the residents of Greater Geelong.  Let’s get to know David and what drives his enthusiasm with all things health.

What drew you to join the CCC team?  How long have you been a pharmacist?  Why did you become a pharmacist?

I’ve been a pharmacist for eight years and working in pharmacy for over 10 years. I started my career in Adelaide and moved to Geelong four years ago to further my career and moved across to the CCC team one year ago. I never thought I wanted to be a pharmacist growing up; I wanted to be a scientist and sit in a lab all day. I learnt very quickly though that I enjoyed interacting with people and loved helping people, so I thought a career change into Pharmacy was the likely choice, and have absolutely loved it since day one.

In the past few years, the community pharmacy industry was starting to see some difficult times and many companies were finding it hard to move forward. This is when I heard about CCC and the way they were pioneering new ideas.  Now that I am part of the team, I have, for the first time in my career, had the opportunity to do what I set out to do when I started as a pharmacist: spend quality time with patients and give medicines and health advice that changes lives and has a real impact.

Why is CCC so unique?  What draws customers to CCC over other pharmacies?

Community CareChemist is such a forward-thinking pharmacy as they provide the resources which enable us spend a great deal of time with the people who come to our pharmacies for advice. They are also a non for profit organization, so I know all the effort I put into making a difference is benefitting the wider community. And being a local Geelong business is also very important to me. With Geelong going through a much talked about downturn in larger businesses, I am very glad to be working for a local business which services and benefits the Geelong region.

At CCC, you can speak to a pharmacist about your needs EVERY time you enter any of our stores.

Why is diabetes such a hot health topic in Greater Geelong?

Diabetes is a major problem in Australia, but is of significant worry in some areas of Geelong. There are areas of Geelong which have nearly twice the national average of people living with Diabetes.

What is on offer in the diabetes safe at CCC North Geelong?

We can help treat and prevent Diabetes. We have all the common insulin types in store and a large range of Diabetes support products. We keep a large range of NDSS products for people who are living with diabetes.

We also have highly trained pharmacists with extensive knowledge about diabetes and the lifestyle changes involved.

Also, we have a diabetes educator who is an expert on managing, treating and preventing diabetes. She has endless knowledge on the condition and is up to date with all the latest research, ideas, devices and ways of managing living with diabetes.

What are your top three tips when it comes to (1) preventing diabetes and (2) managing diabetes

1)      1. Diet and Exercise 2.  Natural supplements to help reduce Blood sugar.  3. Blood sugar testing at CCC or your GP at least twice a year (or more often as you get older)

2)      1. Diet and Exercise 2. Testing your own blood sugar regularly 3. See your diabetes educator twice a year

With such a barrage of health information on the internet, why do Australians still have so many health issues that are still on the incline such as diabetes?

It is largely due to our sedentary lifestyle. We spend all our time on our backsides reading about the health issues on the internet, rather than getting outside and doing something about it! A lot of the major health problems on the rise (like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure) are preventable and manageable with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. We need to eat well and keep fit and continue to live a healthy lifestyle even as we get older.

What can CCC do to help residents of Geelong take control of their health?

Our pharmacists are well trained in providing health advice and if beyond their expertise, are able to refer to appropriate clinicians

At North Geelong, we are specifically trained to help with diabetes patients and in helping others prevent diabetes. We have our diabetes educator, Olga, in store to give up to date advice to diabetes patients. Olga also has excellent advice around a healthy diet to manage, treat and prevent diabetes.

We have a weight management program, Ultra Lite, as well as meal replacement supplements and other strategies to help you achieve your goal weight.

We are also trained in advice around most primary health problems. Just come in store and speak to one of our approachable pharmacists.

What can you expect when you walk through the doors of a CCC?

You can expect service and advice. You will always be able to speak to a pharmacist, no matter when you come into our store.

What do you enjoy doing outside CCC?  Hobbies, travel, books

Running, Soccer and Cycling are my sports. I also like travelling. I spent last summer combining my love of travel, food and cycling, following the Giro d’Italia bike race around northern Italy.

What is your ultimate cuisine and why?

I like trying new food, no matter how out there it is. I can’t go past a good curry though.

What makes you laugh?

I love standup comedy. I try get to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival every year. I also love good old English comedy. I was brought up on a staple diet of Monty Python and Mr. Bean.