iCare Pharmacy

Pharmacy Description

1. Short Description of the Business Idea and Community outreach idea

Obese and malnutrition is a huge issue faced by Bendigo residents. Central Victorian obesity rate reached 37% in women and 39% in men during 2018. Due to higher obesity rates and bad diet, the Bendigo community might have to face type two diabetes, eating disorders, heart issues, sleep apnoea and respiratory health issues. On the other hand, the malnutrition statistics also show gloomy situation in the Greater City of Bendigo. According to the Healthy Heart of Victoria (2019) report, 1 in 10 households in Greater Bendigo didn’t have enough to eat while 1 in 8 adults met the daily vegetable consumption guidelines. Greater Bendigo residents were identified to consume more sugar drinks as compared to the residents in Loddon Campaspe Region and Victoria. iCare Pharmacy will be focused on educating and spreading awareness on nutritional intakes and healthy well-being by providing nutritionists services along with pharmaceutical services to the residents of Bendigo. 

The residents across subregions of Greater Bendigo are more likely to consume the sugar sweetened beverages. Similarly, the alcohol consumption was also higher in Greater Bendigo causing the deterioration of health amongst the Bendigo residents. Currently, only UFS Pharmacy is providing 24hrs/7days services to the Bendigo residents. Hence, given the opportunity, iCare Pharmacy will be opened for 24hrs/7days a week and the nutritionist will be available to be consulted 2 days a week. 

• Innovative Service: 

Having the nutritionist on premises is an innovative idea to provide the residents with extensive access to nutritional advice through our pharmacy. The services will enable the reach of nutritionists across Bendigo community. This is aimed at addressing the issue of high sugar consumption, high alcohol consumption, low fruits/vegetables consumption and less water consumption by the Bendigo residents. To implement this program, iCare will be providing the nutritionist access to private consultation room that will be available for two days a week based on demand for the service. iCare’s nutritionists will conduct professional services including weight loss plans, gut health, healthy eating guidelines, sports nutrition, plant based diets, childhood weight management, mindful eating and body mass index calculation. The services will also be provided for children nutrition, diabetes issues, digestive concerns, sports nutrition, vegan diets, allergies/intolerance and medical conditions. 

By bringing the services on nutritionist in the area of Greater Bendigo, we hope to achieve a decrease in obesity rates coupled with increase intake of fruits/vegetables and water. 

• Nutritionist availability at the pharmacy for 2 days per week will give the residents an opportunity to get their questions concerning malnutrition and diet plans answered. Outdoor Raffles programmed by Bendigo Health will act as a fantastic opportunity for engaging with the concerned people. By identifying physical and health issues in private booths set by iCare Pharmacy, we will encourage better weight loss management and nutritional intakes, organize teleconferencing appointments and informing residents about the 2 days availability of nutritionists at the iCare Pharmacy. 30% discount on nutritional services will be provided to the iCare Pharmacy clients who buy from the pharmacy. 
• Healthy Together Bendigo event is a great opportunity for iCare Pharmacy to reach out to the Bendigo Community for addressing the cause of obesity and lifestyle related chronic disease. By partnering up with Bendigo Community Health Services, iCare Pharmacy will be able to get the desired audience and encourage healthy eating and physical activity. The event is organized every six months in City of Greater Bendigo.
• The pharmacy will remain open 24 hours for seven days a week. However, the nutritionist will only be available on Mondays and Thursdays for the consultations. 
• iCare Pharmacy will also provide the BMI checks and personally tailored diet plans through telephonic communication for the clients who cannot travel. The payments will be received in advance using the credit cards or voucher systems. 
• iCare Pharmacy will also give home medicine service for the community of Bendigo. The patient will receive all their medications based on the information provided. However, medical prescriptions will be obtained and checked for relevance. This process will ensure a healthy pharmacist/patient relationship through which healthy community will thrive. 

By offering these services, we are focusing on reducing the obese rate, alcohol consumption, sugary drinks consumption and negative health statistics in Bendigo. Moreover, the focus will be on promoting the healthy eating habits by improving water consumption, vegetable consumption and fruits consumption. Together at iCare, we strive to reduce the obesity rates in the Bendigo community. iCare aims at building the pave to better and healthy community. 

• Community Outreach Initiative:

iCare has recognized the needs of the Greater Bendigo community and the surrounding area regarding malnutrition, obese rates and high calorie intake. The community encompasses all walks of life including residents, holidaymakers, old aged and retirees, all of whom require first line nutrition guidelines and healthcare services on a regular basis. iCare will be providing nutritionist services of a practicing nutritionist from 9am til 5pm on Mondays and Thursdays every week. This services will be readily accessible to all the visitors at the pharmacy. This service will be offered at 30% discount rate to the customers of iCare, however the nutritionist will not be charged any rent for the premises. The aim is to improve the reach of the practitioner for providing general nutritional and personal shaped nutritional guidelines to those who are in need.