From devastation to innovation: Fire sparks pharmacy transformation

Only a charred shell remained of Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast after an electrical fire sparked by a battery tore through the premises in 2022.

Mario Barbagallo, who has been involved with the pharmacy for 37 years – many as co-owner – and Jo Host, co-owner for the past eight, were stunned by the destruction.

“The premises had to be completely stripped out – back to the bare bones,” Mr Barbagallo said.

For Ms Host, who was already dealing with an accident that had seen her husband become an amputee, the fire was nearly too much.

“I remember going home that night, putting my head in my hands on the kitchen bench thinking, I don’t think I’m strong enough for this,” she said.

But community spirit lifted them up.

Offers from fellow pharmacists flooded in — help with Webster-paks, donations of computers, software, and more. Incredibly, they were operating from a temporary site just two weeks later.

“We would never have got through it without the people in this profession,” Ms Host said.

I remember going home that night, putting my head in my hands on the kitchen bench thinking, I don’t think I’m strong enough for this

Jo Host, co-owner of Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy

Looking for a silver lining amid the ashes, the pair decided to rebuild with a focus on clinical services, shifting away from retail-heavy operations.

They engaged pharmacy design experts and industry leaders to help future-fit the business.

“Before the fire, the pharmacy was made up of 60 per cent retail and 40 per cent dispensary and medicines,” Mr Barbagallo said.

“It’s so tempting to do things the way we always have – I understand this because I’ve been in the industry for 50 years.

“We used to jokingly call the pharmacy ‘a surf shop with a dispensary at the back’ because you would find beach umbrellas, souvenir t-shirts and bodyboards.

“My advice is to invest in getting the design right – that’s not a place to cut corners.”

Now, the refurbished pharmacy features two consultation rooms offering services such as blood pressure checks and vaccinations. Since reopening, turnover has jumped 25 per cent.

Ms Host also became a prescribing pharmacist, allowing her to assess, treat, and refer patients for around 20 conditions — including ear infections, staph infections, shingles, dermatitis, impetigo, asthma and hypertension.

Holidaymakers especially appreciate avoiding long GP waitlists.

“We have visitors from all over Australia and abroad complimenting how beautiful our store is, and our decision to remove the junk and lollies, and just focus on healthcare.

“We’ve got a beautiful round counter and timber fluting at the front, where we greet the customers.”

What began as a devastating loss is now a powerful example of resilience, reinvention, and the evolving role of pharmacy in modern healthcare.