Successful first years for both the Vantage Refresh category management programme and the Community Health Services diagnostic testing programme were described to the convention by Dr Mandeep Mudhar (professional services manager, AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd).
Dr Mudhar said that Refresh had delivered enhanced growth and sales in all areas of participants' business. Independent data showed that Refresh pharmacies were outperforming non-Vantage pharmacies in every major sector. The number of Refresh pharmacies had reached 700 by the end of 1999 and was expected to increase to 1,300 by the end of 2000.
Refresh had already reviewed and implemented a feminine hygiene range, a vitamin and mineral supplements range and a cough and cold range. In 2000, it would review the dental, gastrointestinal, personal hygiene and food categories.
Refresh was generating more sales on core pharmacy lines and increasing customer footfall. More than 400 pharmacies were expected to take up the Refresh photoshop offer this year, with sales targeted at more than £1m.
On the CHS programme, Dr Mudhar said that 104 pharmacists had now enrolled after undertaking a day's training. There had been a number of changes over the year, all in response to pharmacists' feedback. It was now possible to enrol after a distance learning programme rather than having to take a day off work for training.
Three new tests were about to be launched. All unique in the United Kingdom, they were a urine infection identification test, a glycate haemoglobin test for a more accurate assessment of diabetes, and a prostate cancer screening test.
Most of the CHS tests could now be carried out in-house to provide immediate results.
All the tests were now also available for sale as over-the-counter kits. And merchandising had been made more consumer-focused and less serious and clinical.
Turning to the Vantage training and development programme for pharmacists and their staff, Dr Mudhar said that a one-year dispensing assistant training course had now been launched. Other courses included a medicines counter assistant distance learning programme and a registration examination coaching programme.
Dr Mudhar said that the success of Vantage depended on AAH and Vantage members working together. There were five key areas in this - identity, compliance, participation, trust and commitment. To encourage identity - and to celebrate the Vantage brand's 25 years - AAH was giving away 200 Vantage fascias.
Compliance meant working with Vantage to ensure that one's pharmacy was professional, with clear product categories, planograms properly maintained and promotional materials correctly displayed. Participation meant joining all the Vantage Refresh initiatives. Trust meant having confidence in Vantage's massive experience and expertise in the retail business.
Commitment meant being passionate about Vantage and putting all one's energy and time into it. AAH expected commitment from both suppliers and pharmacists. The company itself was totally committed to Vantage Refresh. It was committed to having 2,000 Refresh pharmacies in the near future, all with a high standard of appearance, offering professional advice and services, with highly trained and knowledgeable staff, and achieving more sales and more NHS income.