Hinchinbrook flood disaster: Ingham, Halifax pharmacies keep heads above water

NQ pharmacists have revealed the extraordinary lengths they went to to keep residents supplied with vital medications during the flood disaster.

Amid the chaos swirling around during the Hinchinbrook flood crisis in February, three pharmacies in Ingham and a fourth in Halifax in the Lower Herbert stood up in a time of crisis, delivering not just medicines but a sense of calm, resilience and community care. Picture: Cameron Bates

Hinchinbrook pharmacists have revealed the extraordinary lengths they went to to keep residents supplied with vital medications during the February flood disaster.

Brenden Seri, who owns Ingham WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods and Cantatore Pharmacy, said the flooding was near unprecedented.

“We’re used to wet seasons and flooding – but this time, we lost power – that changed everything,” he said.

“We were underprepared for that, but now we’re ready for the next one.”

Mr Seri said he purchased access to the Starlink satellite service to restore access to digital scripts and ferried a single generator between his two businesses to dispense medicines.

Craig Menegon, co-owner of TerryWhite Chemmart Ingham, and Brenden Seri, owner of Ingham WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods and Cantatore Pharmacy. Picture: Supplied

In close cooperation with local GPs and Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), Mr Seri ensured vital medications were delivered to isolated aged-care homes, including helicoptering supplies to Ozcare Magdalene Villa in isolated Trebonne.

Craig Menegon and Chris Holland, co-owners of TerryWhite Chemmart Ingham, with employee Sandra Bison. Picture: Supplied

Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy pharmacist Andrew Giliberto said he camped at the rear of the premises for more than a week.

“Power was out for nine days. Internet and phones were down. The town was cut off. But we kept going.”

He said a generator allowed the pharmacy to keep a dispensing computer and a fridge operating.

The SES member also converted the Halifax pharmacy into a forward operations centre, providing emergency responders with internet access.

Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy pharmacist Andrew Giliberto barely left the premises in Halifax during the flood disaster. Picture: Supplied

Mr Giliberto said multiple parts of the district were left isolated by the floodwaters, including Lucinda and Taylors Beach.

“We coordinated with the Local Disaster Management Sub-Group, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, and Swiftwater Rescue to get medications to them.”

TerryWhite Chemmart co-owners Craig Menegon and Chris Holland said the situation was dire.

Brenden Seri, owner of Ingham WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods and Cantatore Pharmacy, both in Ingham, the sheer scale of the Hinchinbrook floods was like nothing he had ever seen before. Picture: Supplied

With Mr Menegon stranded at Stone River, Mr Holland said he only closed for a single day during the peak flooding thanks to electricity supplied by the Ingham Police Station.

“Internet and comms were a big issue, but thanks to Anthony from Harvey Norman, we sourced a Starlink and were back online by Friday,” Mr Menegon said.

“We had staff who lived in town helping out where they could, but shortages made it tough.”

With the help of Ingham Travel and Herbert River Bus Service the pharmacy was also able to restock before the Ollera Creek Bridge was closed due to flood damage.

Ingham. The floods in Hinchinbrook Shire, North Queensland. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Menegon credited GP clinics, SES and the Hinchinbrook Disaster Management team for helping coordinate care for vulnerable residents and aged-care patients.

“Continued dispensing protocols enabled us to supply essential medications for chronic conditions without a prescription,” he said.

“That was absolutely critical.”

Originally published as Hinchinbrook flood disaster: Ingham, Halifax pharmacies keep heads above water