Cathie Reid first began work in a pharmacy, stacking nappies, at the age of 16.

Now a Queensland pharmacist, Ms Reid has won the National Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award category in the prestigious Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

Ms Reid is the Managing Partner of APHS’ Aged Care and Packaging divisions, a national supplier of pharmaceutical and clinical services for the hospital, oncology and aged care sectors.

Ms Reid was recognised for her work in converting APHS’s aged care IP into a solution that allows community pharmacies to outsource their medication compliance packaging.

For pharmacies, the solution comes at a third of the cost of manual packing, while increasing safety and independence for self-medicating customers.

The product range features the Medido Monitored Compliance Device, a web-based technology that alerts customers when medication is due and informs carers of a missed dose via email or SMS.

“Twelve years ago my grandmother lay on her bathroom floor for 24 hours after having a stroke,” Ms Reid said.

“In my grandmother’s circumstance, had she been using the Medido we would have known something was wrong as soon as she didn’t take her next two doses of medicine, rather than having to wait until a neighbour raised the alarm the next day when they found her.”

Ms Reid said she was “incredibly honoured” to win the award.

“In an ageing society where the working population is also decreasing, being an innovator in healthcare is essential,” she said.

“We have pushed the boundaries of a traditional pharmacy business with our move into manufacturing and the operation of cancer care facilities, and we will continue to push it with the introduction of technology like the Medido Monitored Compliance Device.”