IPN July 2022

Staying Well with StayWell Pharmacy Group

StayWell Pharmacy, part of the Navi group, is celebrating the opening of two new outlets in Cork city and county in recent weeks. The stores – StayWell Ardfallen Pharmacy on Douglas Road in the city, and StayWell Walsh’s Pharmacy in the town of Midleton in the east of the county - are the brand’s 20th and 21st outlets.

Dr Andy Fisher, PhD, outside StayWell Ardfallen Pharmacy on Douglas Road in Cork city, where he is a pharmacist. Owner, Nigel Moloney, also has a StayWell Pharmacy premises on Washington Street and a CarePlus Pharmacy outlet in Carrigaline. Photo: Jolene Cronin

Ireland’s newest retail pharmacy brand was established in 2018 and opened its first branch in Cavan. Outlets in Kildare, Dublin, Offaly, Meath, Limerick, Kerry, and Cork soon followed. The brand aims to inspire healthier communities by connecting customers to their local StayWell Pharmacist and Pharmacy team and is committed to giving back to the communities they serve.

Nigel Moloney has built a high profile in Cork city through his outreach work with the homeless community, and already had two outlets under Navi Group brands - a CarePlus Pharmacy in Carrigaline and a StayWell Pharmacy on Washington Street - when he decided the premises at Ardfallen Mall would be another fitting addition to the StayWell Pharmacy group.

He comments, “In a few short years, StayWell Pharmacy has established a great reputation and image, and offers proven management and work practices, access to national advertising and ongoing support. When you join

a group like this, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of your initial setup. Our latest location serves a broad mix of customers, including locals and professionals working nearby.”

Meanwhile, in Midleton, owner Marta Tomas says having the support of the StayWell Pharmacy group has made a significant difference to the daily activity of her store on the town’s Main Street: “Market demands have changed significantly because of external factors like COVID, Brexit and inflation. It’s much easier to weather those economic storms as part of the StayWell Pharmacy group, with the wrap-around support it offers,” she said.

Marta also highlights the broad value of the community pharmacist’s role, “Our services are much more than just dispensing medicines, and the offering continues to evolve. As a businessperson, I need time to focus on the store’s day-to-day running, and the background support that the StayWell group offers frees me up to focus on the things I need to do to service my local community. Being

part of a group like StayWell takes away a lot of the heavy lifting and pressures associated with running a business. Local community pharmacies are crucial to the nation’s health - we have a critical role in the sustainability of healthcare and providing our customers with access to advice and care that they may not be able to get elsewhere”.

Jerry McDonnell is Head of Business Development at StayWell Pharmacy. He says becoming part of the group makes sense for many community pharmacists.

“Joining StayWell Pharmacy means members get to run an independent, small business but with the backup and benefits of an extensive business network. We work closely with each new entrant, giving them access to affordable rebranding and membership costs, leading retail design, cutting-edge technology systems, national marketing and of course, the crucial group buying power. We recognise the importance of the community pharmacist role in serving all parts of the locality and being part of StayWell Pharmacy frees them up to spend more time doing that, while we provide backroom support.

The interior of StayWell Walsh’s Pharmacy in Midleton, County

Cork. Photo: Jolene Cronin

“Many of the people we meet around the country have wanted to refresh their look, expand their offering, or update their IT systems for a long time, but the associated costs have put these projects out of reach. We help them inject new life into a proven business and futureproof their offering through a long-lasting, affordable investment.”

Once a pharmacist or store owner decides to become a member, the StayWell Pharmacy team takes them through a sixstep process, up to the day the business launches its new look and system. From then on, the network continues to provide a full range of member services, from customer support to staff training, marketing, monthly promotions, and even social media assistance.

StayWell Pharmacy is a great example of Ireland’s franchise industry, which continues to grow from strength to strength, proof that being part of a larger, wellestablished group has proven to be a robust and resilient business model for many. 21 StayWell Pharmacies have opened around the country in less than four years, providing community pharmacy services for tens of thousands of people.

Owner Marta Tomas outside StayWell Walsh’s Pharmacy outlet in Midleton, County Cork. Photo: Jolene Cronin

Pictured outside StayWell Walsh’s Pharmacy in Midleton, County Cork are (l-r) Stephanie Bunce, Puri Castro, owner Marta Tomas, Lydia Power and Brooke O’Neill. Photo: Jolene Cronin