Telstra invests in Fred IT
October 2, 2013
The Pharmacy Guild has signed
a Memorandum of Understanding
with Telstra, at the same time as
announcing the communication
giant’s new equity partnership in
the Fred IT Group.
Through its new health portfolio,
Telstra has become a “major
investor” in the Fred IT Group, after
taking what is believed to be a 50%
stake in the Guild-backed business
(PD breaking news).
Fred IT Group CEO Paul Naismith
said the new partnership
“underpins Fred’s core commitment
to innovation and leadership for
pharmacy and pharmacy customers
over the long term”.
The Guild, which has been an
investor in Fred for about 20
years, welcomed the move, saying
it will position the business to
“continue to invest strongly in
eHealth and IT solutions which are
vital in improving patient health
and safety, creating new ways for
community pharmacy to service
customers and manage businesses”.
Guild President, Kos Sclavos, said
that the Guild retains a significant
investment in Fred, and views the
partnership as opening further
opportunities to explore national
eHealth initiatives.
It’s business as usual for Fred,
which will continue to be run by
Naismith.
“Pharmacies will continue to have
access to high quality products and
support,” while service delivery and
pricing commitments will “remain
focused on finding the most
efficient and competitive solutions
for pharmacy,” Sclavos said.
“The partnership acknowledges
the importance of pharmacists in
the future of health, across the
spectrum of medicine management
and compliance and full health
records,” he added.
The Guild MoU with Telstra
commits the parties to work
together on mutually beneficial
innovative e-health solutions
which provide Australians with
enhanced access to health care
products, services, support, advice
and information “that utilises the
established national infrastructure
of community pharmacies”.
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