Open every day since 1938, McDonald’s Pharmacy St Ives, a Pharmacy Choice Gold Store, celebrated its milestone 40th anniversary in March 2023.
Three generations of service
Owner Jacinta McDonald has spent her life around pharmacies – her father David owned pharmacies in Queensland and New South Wales, taking over the St Ives store in 1983.
Ms McDonald bought the business from her father in 2016 and has made sure the business has remained a family affair, with her daughters Sophia and Charlotte the third generation helping to keep the McDonald tradition alive.
“One of the big things is we’ve been open every single day of the year since 1983. We’ve had floods, we’ve had electrical power outages and what have you – but there’s still one of us in there helping our valued customers,” Ms McDonald says.
Ms McDonald credits her staff for making McDonald’s Pharmacy what it is today.
“We greet our clients by their name, we know the names of their children, and their grandchildren which all adds that personal touch,” she says.
Competitive in the market
McDonald’s Pharmacy is a Pharmacy Choice Gold Store and has been part of the program since 2014.
Ms McDonald says being a member of Pharmacy Choice has enabled the business to be more competitive in the market.
“As a small pharmacy we don’t get the opportunity to get the discounts like the large warehouses,” she says.
“With Pharmacy Choice it enables me to get discounts on core range lines and I can then pass on those savings to our patients through our catalogue each month.”
Cameron Macklin, General Manager Pharmacy Choice and Merchandise, congratulates McDonald’s Pharmacy on their incredible achievement.
“Their longevity in business is a testament to the team’s understanding of their customers and their commitment to providing valued and trusted service 365 days a year,” he says.
“We have been proud and privileged to be part of their journey for nearly a decade.”
