Calm The Pharm Podcast

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart shares insights from her recent experience at Leanne Hughes's Con Con, a conference designed for a diverse group of professionals including consultants, facilitators, and business owners. The event emphasised skill-building over industry-specific discussions, fostering cross-disciplinary relationships. Sarah participated in the Gre...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart emphasises the importance of having contracts reviewed by a legal professional before signing them. She highlights a common mistake where individuals wait to submit signed contracts to their solicitors for review, which can lead to significant legal complications, as signed contracts are binding and challenging to amend. The episod...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the critical role of the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) in pharmacy businesses. The podcast highlights the importance of planning and communication in transactions, particularly around payments and stock orders to manage the risks associated with these security interests. Sarah emphasises the need for both b...

Calm The Pharm is brought to you by your host, Sarah Stoddart. Sarah is the founder and director of Vitality Law Australia, a boutique law firm which provides small business owners and healthcare professionals across Australia with clear legal pathways and peace of mind. She is recognised as a leader in the healthcare industry and is one of only a few lawyers in Australia with specialist experienc...

In this episode , host Sarah Stoddart provides critical information for Queensland pharmacy owners regarding the pharmacy business license application process established by the Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council. With the legislative changes that took effect on November 1, 2025, pharmacy owners must take prompt action to comply with the regulatory requirements. The episode emphasises...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the implications of using artificial intelligence (AI) in legal services, particularly for pharmacy clients. She delves into how AI is affecting communication and the collaborative process between clients and their legal advisors. Sarah highlights that while AI is a great tool, it often lacks the contextual understanding...

In this final episode, host Sarah Stoddart emphasises the importance of planning for unexpected life events within pharmacy partnerships. The episode outlines critical life events that should be carefully considered in partnership agreements and discusses options to mitigate the associated risks. Sarah concludes by reinforcing the importance of being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to...

In this episode of "Calm the Pharm," host Sarah Stoddart discusses the crucial topic of dispute resolution within pharmacy partnerships, aiming to demystify the process and provide practical legal insights. The objective is to equip pharmacy owners with the understanding and tools necessary to handle disputes efficiently, thereby avoiding costly litigation. Sarah emphasises the importance of a dis...

In today’s podcast episode, we delve deeper into the crucial topic of retirement and exit strategies within partnership agreements, emphasising the significance of exit clauses in ensuring a smooth transition when one partner decides to leave. This is the third part of our exploration into partnership agreements, aiming to equip listeners with the necessary foresight to avoid potential business di...

Welcome to the Calm the Pharm podcast, where legal insights meet pharmacy business. In this episode, hosted by Sarah Stoddart, we delve into the second part of our discussion on partnerships, focusing specifically on money and profit distribution. One critical point emphasised is the divergent expectations partners may have regarding their earnings and reinvestment strategies. Some partners may pr...

In this episode of the "Calm the Pharm" podcast, host Sarah Stoddart delves into the critical aspects of partnership agreements, focusing on the vital decision-making clause. This episode is the first in a series addressing the importance of properly drafted clauses and how their omission can lead to disputes in pharmacy partnerships. Stoddart emphasises that partnerships frequently falter in thei...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses essential aspects of pharmacy fit-outs and expansions, emphasising the legal and operational considerations that pharmacy owners must navigate to ensure a smooth process. Being well-informed and proactive at the outset can save pharmacy owners time and money while ensuring compliance with legal and safety standards. This...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart shares insights on how the quality of your team, including third-party contractors, can significantly influence your pharmacy's reputation and customer experience. The discussion begins with a personal anecdote involving a problematic delivery of a washing machine, which led to extensive damage to her property due to the inexperien...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart explores the complex requirements of pharmacy location rules, specifically focusing on the legal necessity that the proposed premises can operate as a pharmacy under relevant local and state laws pertaining to land development. This marks the fourth and final discussion on the general pharmacy requirements. Sarah breaks down the co...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart delves into two essential requirements related to pharmacy location rules, aimed at helping pharmacy owners navigate legal standards. This episode is part three of their ongoing series, continuing to build on previous discussions. The first requirement focuses on ensuring that the proposed pharmacy premises are accessible to the pu...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart delves into the critical requirement of having a legal right to occupy the premises when making an application under the Pharmacy Location Rules. Attention to detail is paramount in ensuring compliance with the necessary pharmacy location rules. Having the correct, legally binding right to occupy at the time of the application is a...

In the first episode of Calm the Pharm podcast for 2026, host Sarah Stoddart outlines essential legal requirements for pharmacy location applications, focusing on the general requirements applicable to all pharmacy location rules. The discussion centers around two main conditions that must be met for pharmacy premises approval. 1. Non-Approved Premises: The first requirement states that, at all re...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses a critical concern for pharmacy owners: what happens when a landlord sells the property where the pharmacy operates. Many businesses lease their premises, and when ownership changes hands, it can cause anxiety for tenants about the implications for their leases and relationships with new landlords. To safeguard their phar...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the critical aspects of subleasing for pharmacy owners in Australia. She emphasises that most pharmacy businesses operate under a lease agreement, typically with a third-party landlord or through ownership via structures like self-managed superannuation funds. The focus here is on understanding the complexities and legali...

In this episode of the "Calm the Pharm" podcast, the focus is on the Pharmacy Industry Award, which governs the employment conditions for many working in the community pharmacy sector. Understanding this award is crucial for pharmacy business owners and managers, as it lays out key employment obligations. The episode summarizes six essential aspects of the award. 1. Exclusions from the Award 2. Mi...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the critical distinctions between partnership and shareholding structures for pharmacy businesses. Building on last week’s focus on company structures, she clarifies common misconceptions regarding these ownership models and emphasises the importance of structured legal agreements. A partnership involves two or more indiv...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the critical decision of selecting the right business structure for pharmacists venturing into pharmacy ownership. She emphasises the importance of making this decision carefully as it can significantly impact taxation, personal liability, funding options, and the future sale of the business. Stoddart outlines three prima...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart addresses the concept of walk-in, walk-out contracts within the context of business transactions. She distinguishes between two main types of contracts: walk-in, walk-out contracts and other business sale agreements which typically involve additional elements like stock, adjustments, and employee entitlements. Sarah emphasises the...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the legal intricacies surrounding business names in Australia, focusing on registration, trading requirements, and the processes involved when selling or buying a business. The episode emphasises the importance of understanding and managing business names correctly, outlining responsibilities for both sellers and buyers,...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart delves into the changes regarding ministerial discretion for pharmacy business applications, emphasising the importance of understanding the application process and recent legislative updates. Ministerial discretion allows pharmacy businesses to request approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits from specific premises, particularly...