CHP Magazines CHP Magazines Spring 2019 #16 | Page 40

Calanna WholeHealth Pharmacy, Cairns
After meeting Mario Calanna
a well known expression
sprang to my mind “still waters
run deep.” Mario founded the
Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacies
that are dotted throughout Far
North Queensland, he is a loving
husband, Father and Grandfather,
Pharmacist, a respected leader in
his community and an Author.
Mario gifted me with a copy of his
book Design A Good Life, from Farm to
Farmacia to Whole Health, and inscribed
it with a simple note that really gave me
a deep insight into his psyche “We each
have a purpose for our life, and there is a
meaning to our life. We design a life by
the choices we make.”
I have no doubt that the choices
Mario has made in his life have been
purposeful and meaningful and have
played a significant role in this humble
and modest man paving the way in a
new era of Pharmacies focusing on
Health and Wellness.
How long has Calanna Pharmacy
been operating?
I opened Calanna Pharmacy Woree
on my Dad’s 70th birthday – June 8th
1976
Who are your main types of
customers?
Like any business we cater to a
whole range of people – however we
seem to retain families through their
different phases – meaning that many
the children of the initial customers now
continue to use our services for their
own children. Of course this means that
we have a healthy number of people
aged 60 and over
What is it about your store that
is distinctly different from other
pharmacies?
I like to sum it up this way:
As a customer - “When I walk into a
Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy I want
to feel comfortable and able to trust the
person who serves me. I want to hear
some laughter, feel some smiles. I want
to be greeted with the expectation to
be helped. I want to find the solution or
the advice or information for my present
challenge. I want to be acknowledged. I
want to leave the Pharmacy empowered
and feeling good about my experience.
I want to know I can come back to
Calanna and have this same experience
time after time”.
What are the changes in peoples
buying habits you have noticed over the
past couple of years?
More people are asking about a
more holistic approach to their health.
Our rebranding to Whole Health is a
reflection of this demand and describes
exactly what our mission has been for
over 40 years.
What are the fastest moving
categories within your store?
Excluding prescriptions I would say
pain, flu related issues, skin problems,
stomach issues and our health ranges.
What trends do you predict over the
next twelve months?
Probably more demand for
40 Complete
Complete Health
Health
40