Pharmacy Daily | API plaintiff plans pharmacy co-op

SYDNEY-BASED pharmacy owner and lead applicant in a proposed class action case against Australian Pharmaceutical Industries' (API) banner Priceline Pharmacy (PD 22 Feb), Chris Lemon, plans to launch a disruptive co-operative network, Benepharm, later this year.

Announcing the launch of the new group, Lemon said the co-op model would deliver a fairer and more transparent network model.

In the proposed case against Priceline, class action specialists, Levitt Robinson, allege the group's franchise agreements "may breach the current legislative framework which governs pharmacies in NSW, Queensland and Victoria".

"As the prospective lead applicant in a class action against API, I'm certainly not the only pharmacist looking for a better way to operate under a national banner and buying group," Lemon said.

"Benepharm is the answer for any pharmacist looking for the benefits of a national buying and marketing network while building equity in a brand they co-own."

Lemon added that the co-op had recruited a team of experienced pharmacy sector professionals with expertise in merchandising, planning, technology, finance and marketing.

"Most of the Benepharm team have held roles in the major national brands," he said.

"Each are leaders in their field and share the Benepharm vision of creating a better way for Australian pharmacist under pressure from low-touch volume retailers."

The group is expected to lock-in its launch pharmacies in the next quarter, with expressions of interest sought from pharmacists in NSW initially, ahead of a national recruitment effort.

Priceline Pharmacy General Manager, Andrew Vidler, has previously noted that the class action case had not be lodged against the group, despite being touted as "imminent" since May last year (PD 06 May 2020).

"Apparently, it can only proceed if enough franchisees agree to a funding agreement," he said.