Calm The Pharm Podcast

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart provides essential legal advice for pharmacy owners looking to sell their business. She emphasises the importance of preparation and understanding the legal intricacies involved in the selling process. To illustrate the importance of preparation, Sarah shares a case study of a pharmacy owner who faced challenges with the lease assi...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart delves into the critical PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) approval process involved in owning a pharmacy in Australia. This discussion follows the previous episode, which highlighted different practices by buyers that facilitate a smooth transaction in acquiring a pharmacy. The episode highlights that properly understanding the...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart provides a comprehensive overview of the essential considerations when buying a pharmacy in Australia, emphasising the unique regulatory landscape in which pharmacies operate. She outlines key strategies that differentiate smart buyers and ensures a smoother transaction process. Sarah concludes that potential buyers should view the...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses critical aspects of leave entitlements under the Pharmacy Industry Award, with a focus on annual leave, its cash-out options, and managing excessive leave accruals. The episode aims to equip pharmacy owners with practical legal understanding to navigate these topics confidently. Understanding the intricacies of annual lea...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart continues her discussion of the Pharmacy Industry Award, specifically focusing on Clause 19, which pertains to various employee allowances that pharmacy employers must consider. The podcast outlines key allowances that may be necessary based on employee roles and circumstances. Sarah emphasises the importance for pharmacy employers...

In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart discusses the Pharmacy Industry Award, particularly focusing on Clause 13a, which addresses the employee's right to disconnect. This relatively new law in Australia allows employees to refrain from monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related contact outside of their working hours, unless it's considered unreasonable. Sarah e...

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...