Page 17 - RPA Magazine December 2020

The company tagline is, ‘A strong foundation for life’. Talk us through this and why it’s so important for consumers? A lot of the time, poor health may be the result of long-term deficiencies or ‘missed opportunities’ to address public health issues. Take for example topics like the importance of digestive health and long-term health consequences of poor gut health or the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in infants and toddlers. These may not be very sexy topics to discuss at dinner parties, until they become health problems years later and start to impact quality of life. As such, building a strong foundation early, with the right nutrition support, is important. Building a strong foundation early on sets you up for years of health, rather than having to address symptoms of deficiencies or health issues that may come years down the line. Talk us through your R&D process at Primore. How do you come up with products? And how do you ensure products are scientifically based while also being personalised? Our R&D process is research and data driven, and starts with data collection and a meta-analysis of the available research. We identify public health issues and consumer needs and then work to create products that meet those needs. At Primore we also conduct competitive and consumer analysis along with reviewing current, available products to identify gaps in the market based on consumer need. Our concepts undergo a process called ‘clinical proof’ whereby they need to meet a clinical need, and our products are reviewed by a clinician and approved prior to release to market. They are, of course, also TGA approved and GMP \\\\\\\[Good Manufacturing Practices\\\\\\\] certified. We ensure that our branding conveys our direct message to the consumer, which centres around answering the consumer questions: ‘How is this product relevant to me?’ and ‘How does this product help me prevent illnesses or improve health and wellbeing?’ Let’s talk 2020. This year due to Covid-19, things have been pretty tough on everyone, especially businesses. How did the events that unfolded impact business at Primore and how, as a company, did you manage to get through? While this year we felt there was reduced foot traffic within pharmacy, the upside was increased consumer awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system. Due to the various lockdown measures that were put in place around the country, we worked to enhance our online marketing strategies, due to a shift in consumers obtaining their information and education online. Despite the challenges Covid-19 and its associated restrictions posed on the community and resulted in short-term challenges, we remain optimistic that things will get better and, as a business, we remain focused on the future and keep our eyes firmly on the long term. At Primore, we emphasise consumer engagement at ground level, for example showcasing our products at events. While due to Covid-19, many expos and exhibitions were cancelled or postponed this year, we’re excited about the upcoming Pregnancy, Baby, Children Expo at the Sydney Showground in December, and in Darling Harbour, Sydney, in January 2021. Full Covid-19 precautions will apply, but current reception has been overwhelming, with more than 20,000 visitors expected. What are the product trends that you’re seeing in the baby formula/ food/supplement aisle at the moment? How are you responding to these trends? The trend we’re seeing within the supplement aisle is the need for safe, convenient, sustainable products that are easy to use. At Primore we constantly keep abreast of the latest trends and consumer preferences for supplement delivery (e.g., powder, capsules, sachet, gummies) and respond to these trends by producing nutrition products that are based on the latest research and evidence. What are the dietary trends within baby formula/food at the moment and how are you responding to these? At Primore, our products aim to address the fundamental problems that cause the different allergies and intolerance. Most allergies have their onset during childhood, largely due to poor gut health. Our products utilise inulin as excipient, which acts as a prebiotic for the probiotics, resulting in a symbiotic relationship. Our products are also dairy free, gluten free and nut free. Environmental sustainability is big at the moment. How do you ensure environmentally sound practices within the company? At Primore our products are made utilising a GMP-certified manufacturing process. We also ensure that our ingredients are sustainably sourced and ethically obtained, with no added chemicals, flavouring or additives. What’s next for Primore? Do you have any new products in the pipeline that you’d like to share? We’re highly confident that our product is the best in the range of products available in the market today, locally and internationally. We’re launching our multichannel marketing and education campaigns to create awareness and to help improve public health. Upcoming in the production pipelines we have the Children/Junior Boost as well as the Mummy Boost. What is your advice to pharmacy assistants who may have big career goals? My advice to pharmacy assistance is to keep abreast of the latest evidence and be willing to try something new – get outside your comfort zone! Also, set clear goals, see challenges as opportunities to learn, and remember to enjoy the journey, and you’ll get to your destination. It’s also important that you understand things from a customer’s perspective when working with people who come through the pharmacy. Ask yourself: ‘How does this product address the issue(s) that the customer is facing currently?’ And: ‘How does the product improve their quality of life?’ 6 MINUTES WITH ... 15 To learn more about Primore and about their product offerings, visit: primore.com.au/ RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • DEC 2020