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DISCOUNT Drug Stores has launched a new range of member initiatives at its first National Conference since being acquired last year.
Sigma Pharmaceuticals purchased the pharmacy group through its subsidiary Central Healthcare Services for $26.7 million.
Preparing for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reforms was at the top of the agenda at last month's conference.
Discount Drug Stores executive general manager Douglas Kuskopf-Dallas (pictured) says the company will invest in new services to ease the transition.
"We're investing in new initiatives while also increasing the business support rebate for our members which means we've been able to stick to our commitment over the last four years of providing more benefits to owners while reducing costs," Kuskopf-Dallas says.
"We feel it's very important to help our stores achieve efficiencies and improve productivity so that our staff in those stores are able to spend more time engaging with our new customers.
"Through an increased investment in marketing, particularly focusing on television commercials, loyalty programs and local area marketing we believe we can make progress in these areas."
The acquisition has allowed the pharmacy to build on customer engagement, including its digital strategy, loyalty club and new e-commerce site.
Kuskopf-Dallas says with the industry under the spotlight it has never been more crucial to ensure staff deliver quality service to customers.
"Our 2015 focus is about identifying where we can provide more value to all our stakeholders from the customer to our business owners and suppliers, and implementing initiatives to support that," he says.
"Most importantly, we are ensuring that our customers are receiving the highest possible level of care and attention at all times."
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