Helen Tathamhtatham@nzdoctor.co.nzFriday 27 January 2012, 3:39PM
A pharmacy at The Warehouse in Blenheim will stay open, for at
least another two months, while negotiations over ownership
continue.
The Warehouse announced before Christmas it would be closing its
six pharmacies based at stores around the country, but it has since
emerged attempts are
being made to keep the chemist open under new ownership
(>>nzdoctor.co.nz, 'News', 24 January).
New Zealand Doctor understands negotiations have been with
the current manager of the Blenheim pharmacy and an employee of The
Warehouse who has had oversight of all the discount retailer's
chain of pharmacies.
It was suggested another party may also be involved.
An official announcement about ownership is expected in the next
couple of weeks.
Compliments for current pharmacy manager
One person New Zealand Doctor spoke to, who wished to
remain anonymous, was complimentary of the way the pharmacy had
been run to date describing the current manager as the "force
behind the success of that pharmacy".
In particular, the person said, the pharmacist's personality was a
key factor.
A staff member at the pharmacy, who did not want their name
published, confirmed the store would continue to operate under the
ownership of The Warehouse until 30 March.
The staff member said financial arrangements and other formalities
were yet to be finalised but an announcement about new owners is
expected in a couple of weeks.
Kimi Hauora Wairau (Marlborough PHO) chief executive Christine
Smith echoed comments about the way the staff conducted
business.
Community pledges its support
Ms Smith says she has visited the pharmacy herself a couple of
times and each time there have been people pledging their
support.
"I know one person who said they had $1000 they would put towards
it if it was needed and that is not a wealthy person by any means.
It was really lovely," Ms Smith says.
Another shopper suggested setting up a community co-operative to
ensure the pharmacy remained open, although Ms Smith is hoping that
won't be necessary.
Embedded pharmacies have many advantages
She says embedded pharmacies (those attached to other larger
stores) have many advantages such as being open longer hours.
People who work offshore, or who work late and cannot get time off
to go to the chemist, can collect their prescription medications or
get professional health advice at the same time as doing the family
shopping, Ms Smith says.
Botany pharmacy may also have a new owner
soon
Earlier this week, The Warehouse general marketing manager Jen Ryan
said in an emailed statement discussions were also in progress with
potential new owners of the pharmacy at The Warehouse in Botany,
Auckland.
The final day of trading at the remaining four pharmacies at The
Warehouse stores in Sylvia Park, Te Rapa, Whangarei and Nelson will
be 31 January, Ms Ryan's statement says.
Companies Office records show the Pharmacy at The Warehouse in
Blenheim (its trading name) was first incorporated under the
registered name TWP No.2 Limited on 8 August 2006.