Woolworths Group this morning announced that HealthyLife, its "independently operated health and wellness subsidary", will extend its existing relationship with SuperPharmacy in a deal said to provide customers with more convenient access to prescription and OTC health products and complementary health programs.

SuperPharmacy, which currently operates six pharmacies in NSW, Vic, Qld, SA and WA, has been a partner of Woolworths Group since 2021 via the Everyday Rewards program, and as a third party merchant on the supermarket group's healthylife.com.au website for the last few months.

The stores will be rebranded as HealthyLife Pharmacy, while an increased presence on the website "will see HealthyLife become a destination for all health and wellness needs, including a wide range of pharmaceuticals and prescription medicines, fulfilled by eScript and led by HealthyLife pharmacist Warren Turner", the company said.

HealthyLife will also offer telehealth consultations and a wide range of health, wellness, home and beauty products.

HealthyLife MD Ananth Sarathy said "since launching HealthyLife last year, our goal has been to help Australians live healthier lives by providing trusted health advice and a curated range of health and wellness products".

"The pandemic has led to an increase in customers turning to the digital environment for their health needs. SuperPharmacy is complementary to HealthyLife's existing health and wellness business...the arrangements with SuperPharmacy will enable customers to access their health needs in an efficient way online via the HealthyLife platform and instore at a HealthyLife pharmacy," Sarathy said.

Today's deal will see Woolworths' HealthyLife acquire key technology and warehouse assets, and in turn will provide e-commerce, related technology, branding, platform and warehouse wholesale services to SuperPharmacy.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia noted the announcement, with a spokesperson saying "we have contacted the pharmacy authorities in all jurisdictions across Australia to ensure this partnership meets all the State and Territory-based registration requirements that all pharmacies must comply with”.

More details in Monday's issue of Pharmacy Daily.