Chris Testa with Max Poznanovich and Jo Cochrane from Economic Development, City of Gold Coast
There are only a handful of complex Compounding Pharmacies in Australia – and Chris Testa’s Tugun Pharmacy is one of them. Above the retail pharmacy at the Tugun Village shops, Chris’s compounding laboratories are busy producing tailor-made medication for individual patients right across the country.
They create personalised medicine in any form (liquid, capsule, cream, etc), controlling the dosage and strength for any ailment, major or minor –particularly for infants and those sensitive to flavourings, preservatives or additives in mass-produced medicines.
Chris’s father Tony started a compounding chemist on the Gold Coast back in the 1960s, when 8 out of 10 scripts were handmade. Despite the widespread introduction of mass produced medicine in the late 1960s and 70s, Tony Testa maintained his skills, with son Chris following in his footsteps. Now, as patients and the public demand more personalised care, the resurgence of individualized medicines has led to a booming local enterprise.
The Tugun Compounding Pharmacy services the entire Gold Coast and provides medicines to patients all throughout Australia – dealing with every issue imaginable from infant reflux to autism, schizophrenia, hormone replacement, even veterinary – regularly working with Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Seaworld, Dreamworld and as far as Australia Zoo to provide tailored veterinary medicines to animals.
Outgrowing his laboratory space on the ground level of the pharmacy 10 years ago and moving upstairs, Chris’s laboratories are again set for expansion over the next 12 months, as the business grows to unprecedented levels.
Chris currently employs 20 staff at his state-of-the-art compounding laboratories, including pharmacists, Bachelor of Science graduates, and compounding technicians, as well as a steady influx of university students doing work experience.
Not surprisingly, Chris’s pharmacy is at the forefront of research and development, working closely with Griffith University to create new formulas for medicines. The Tugun facilities are often used to conduct clinical trials and student research projects, keeping Chris busy supervising several students or projects at once.
But the rewarding nature of the work is what Chris loves about the business. “It’s very hands-on work but it’s very rewarding,” says Chris. “There are always new things happening, and there is no limit to what we can do.”