In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate is joined by Vinit Kewal, Director of The Infinity Group. Listen to the episode as the two explore Vinit’s remarkable Pharmacy journey, share industry insights, and delve into the evolving landscape of Pharmacy.
Vinit begins the conversation by reminiscing about their remarkable journey. Originally from Fiji, Vinit’s path led them to the University of Queensland, where they pursued a Pharmacy degree. Their focus on Community Pharmacy, particularly in regional Australia, has been a driving force throughout their career. Notably, Vinit became a Pharmacy owner in regional New South Wales and has found great joy and strength in their family, spouse, and two kids who offer unwavering support. Vinit’s evolution from a Pharmacist in a single store to a leader within a vast organization has sparked their interest in leadership and the training Pharmacists receive.
Vinit also opens up about the significant hurdles and challenges they’ve faced in their journey. They explore internal and external obstacles, delving into their initial self-doubts and fears of branching out into new ventures. Vinit emphasizes that internal hurdles, like self-belief and courage, can be the most daunting, yet overcoming them can make anything seem achievable. They also discuss the importance of promoting women’s entry into leadership positions in Pharmacy, acknowledging the unique challenges they may face. Vinit reflects on the resilient nature of the Pharmacy industry and its ability to thrive despite ever-changing landscapes.
When asked about changing perceptions on Pharmacy ownership amongst the youth, Vinit emphasizes that despite the challenges, ownership remains a key part of career progression. Vinit specifically highlights their involvement with The Infinity Group and how they encourage partnership as a natural step forward for Pharmacists. They acknowledge the changing ownership landscape with higher barriers to entry but also stress that opportunities for young Pharmacists to achieve ownership have never been more feasible.
Vinit reflects on their 15-year journey with The Infinity Group, highlighting its remarkable growth in terms of both store numbers and the people that constitute the organization. The Infinity Group’s adaptability and agility are key strengths facilitating its growth, albeit presenting challenges and opportunities. Vinit also talks about the ever-present lesson of humility that the industry imparts, driven by the consistent change it faces. Vinit touches upon the ongoing shifts within the industry, including the introduction of 60-day dispensing and the need for Pharmacists to adapt to new challenges. They emphasize the Pharmacy profession’s transformative journey, from a focus on dispensing to an exciting era of expanded scope of practice. Vinit explores the importance of the human element in healthcare, noting that while automation advances, the personal connection and expertise Pharmacists provide remain irreplaceable.
Vinit discusses various aspects of mental health, work-life balance, and professional growth within the Pharmacy industry. They emphasize the significance of openly addressing mental health concerns, destigmatizing the topic, and creating a supportive environment. Vinit touches on the challenge of striking a work-life balance, particularly in an industry where accessibility and healthcare provision are crucial. They also highlight the need to reevaluate Pharmacist pay, advocating for a minimum baseline that values all Pharmacists’ contributions.
Vinit envisions the future of the Pharmacy industry, emphasizing the role of automation and technology in shaping interactions between Pharmacists and patients. They explore the concept of a virtual and physical hybrid Pharmacy, where initial interactions could involve automated systems, followed by personalized care from Pharmacists. Vinit also highlights the need for an evolving model that considers regional and remote healthcare access, suggesting that regulatory frameworks should adapt to ensure equity in healthcare services.
Topics Covered
- Vinit’s foray into a career in Pharmacy
- Internal and external obstacles in Pharmacy
- Pharmacy ownership for young Pharmacists
- The Infinity Group’s evolution and adaptability
- The future of Pharmacy
- Tackling Pharmacy burnout
Key Quotes (Time Stamps)
- “I always had a strong interest in Community Pharmacy, especially in regional Australia. So, most of my practice has been in regional parts of Australia; largely Queensland, but other states as well.” (2:51 – 3:04)
- “I think the evolution of the Pharmacy practice, but also the evolution of myself as, growing from a Pharmacist in a single store to a Pharmacy owner to now be part of an organization with thousands of people on the payroll, I think the question about leadership—how we grow into it, but also the formal training that Pharmacists have in that space—and that’s always been a big thing for me. I think my saying is, you manage things—cash flow, inventory, finance and all of that but you don’t really manage people. You lead them. I think, in the last few years, that’s been an area of particular interest to me.” (4:04 – 4:53)
- “I think if you think about hurdles, internal ones are actually the hardest ones because once you breach those barriers, you kind of realize that really anything can be possible.” (7:48 – 7:57)
- “So, I think that Community Pharmacy is such a resilient industry that despite all of that, it continues to grow and thrive. Always amazes me.” (9:33 – 9:39)
- “I think, what I do want to encourage for younger Pharmacists who are thinking about it is that it’s definitely possible. It’s on the cards. Is it as easy as it used to be years ago? Definitely not. The ownership landscape has changed. I’ll admit that. The are barriers about cost to entry—they’re high. I acknowledge that as well. But also, I think that the number of opportunities for young Pharmacists who want to make it happen as far as ownership goes, has never been more possible, I believe, than at this point in time in the industry.” (10:56 – 11:32)
- “The Community Pharmacy industry has a way of teaching people humility as you go along. There’s one thing that’s constant—it’s change in our industry.” (17:07 – 17:19)
- “The challenges around mental health and workload and balancing burnout are real.” (24:26 – 24:32)
- “But what does a physical Pharmacy look like? I think it will be an evolution rather than a revolution. At the very foundation of it, we are a conservative industry. But it’s also driven by what the public expects.” (32:35 -32:54)
- “So, for those of you who haven’t practiced in regional areas, go out and do it, try it out. I think it’ll be professionally rewarding, but personally as well.” (36:56 – 37:06)
- “It comes down to equity of access again. What does that look like in the regional rural areas? I think there probably needs to be—whatever model we pursue we need to make sure that the communities that it services have the same level of Pharmacist access. So, in some places in Sydney, Melbourne, you have Pharmacies open 24 hours, 365 days a year. The challenge is how can people in regional, remote areas have access to the same service.” (38:28 – 39:05)
Social Media Clips (Time Stamps)
- From Fiji to Pharmacy: Vinit’s Pharmacy journey (2:09 – 4:53)
- Empowering Pharmacy leaders to overcome challenges (6:53 – 9:39)
- Charter your Pharmacy journey with Pharmacy ownership (10:14 – 11:57)
- Building Infinity: Vinit Kewal’s 15-Year Journey of Growth and Values (11:58 – 16:12)
- Navigating Pharmacy disruptions (16:15 – 22:02)
- Vinit Kewal’s Vision for Well-Being in Pharmacy (23:17 – 26:12)
- Vinit Kewal’s Call to Action in Pharmacy (27:04 – 31:04)
- Automation & Personalization: Future Patient-Pharmacist Interaction (31:05 – 35:42)
