Josephine Host: Resilience, mentorship, and purpose beyond the dispensary
Josephine Host has built a career grounded in strong relationships, community impact, and a commitment to helping others thrive. Whether rebuilding after a devastating pharmacy fire, teaching future pharmacists or supporting colleagues to practise at full scope, Josephine has embraced every challenge as an opportunity to grow and give back to the profession she loves. Starting at a beachfront pharmacy on the Sunshine Coast to working overseas and coming full circle as a pharmacy owner in Mooloolaba, her story reflects the value of lifelong learning, mentorship, and community connection.
My career as a community pharmacist began 26 years ago when, shortly after completing my intern year, Mario Barbagallo rang me out of the blue and offered me a position at Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy. Of course, I said yes. It quickly became what I described as "the best job I would ever have", after all, not many bosses let you start work late if the surf is serving up perfect beginner waves. Yet only two years later, I was telling everyone I was leaving that dream job to travel and explore the world. When I told Mario I was heading overseas for 12 months, he laughed and said, “I’ll see you in 10 years.” At the time, I thought he was joking. It turns out he was remarkably accurate.
What is a moment from your time in pharmacy that you will never forget?
In 2022, Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy was destroyed by an electrical fire. I was on holiday when Mario called me. Ever the optimist, I initially assumed it was a small smoke incident. The urgency in his voice told me otherwise.
Only a fellow pharmacist can truly appreciate the devastation of losing every Webster pack just days before they were due to be supplied, seeing patients arrive in distress, and watching prescriptions being salvaged from the debris. We were worried not only about our business but also about the impact on our patients, many of whom relied on us daily for their healthcare needs.
Yet it was during this incredibly difficult time that I witnessed the true strength of the pharmacy community. Fellow Guild members opened their pharmacies on a Sunday to help repack Webster packs. Printers, cables, equipment, chocolates, and survival food appeared from all corners of the profession. Most importantly, we were supported by our local community every step of the way.
That experience reinforced just how important community pharmacy is. The support we received was unwavering, and our reopening celebration 12 months later remains one of the proudest and most rewarding moments of my career.
How has community pharmacy changed over the years?
The evolution of community pharmacy has been inspiring. Gone are the days when our role was focused solely on dispensing prescriptions. Today, pharmacies are healthcare destinations. Our days are filled with vaccinations, health consultations, medication management, preventative care, and increasingly, full scope of practice services. Pharmacists are being recognised for their clinical expertise and are becoming integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams focused on improving patient outcomes.
It is an exciting time for the profession, and I believe future pharmacists will have opportunities that previous generations could only dream of.
What is the biggest benefit of being part of The Guild community during your ownership journey?
Mario, a Guild Life Member, often talks about marching through the streets of Brisbane advocating with The Guild for pharmacy during PBS reforms. While The Guild's role has evolved over time, its value to pharmacy owners remains just as important.
As an owner, I rely on The Guild for training, workplace relations support, clinical governance resources, advocacy, and leadership in implementing full scope of practice. Most of us studied pharmacy, not business management, and The Guild plays a vital role in helping pharmacy owners navigate the complexities of running a successful business while maintaining best-practice patient care.
What advice would you give a young pharmacist or new owner starting out today?
I hope every future pharmacist finds mentors who genuinely believe in them and their potential.
Seek out people, workplaces, and organisations that align with your values, ethics, and standards as a healthcare professional. If you're fortunate, you'll find mentors who guide you through the challenges of pharmacy ownership and help you grow into a trusted leader within your community.
For me, being a pharmacist is about so much more than standing behind a dispensary counter. It is about stepping beyond the dispensary and becoming part of the fabric of your community. It is about building relationships, improving lives, and leading the way in patient care.
That is where the real reward of community pharmacy lies.