Our story

We have a long history in the pharmacy industry and now operate over 65 pharmacies across South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

The Star Pharmacy Group is a health first group with a clear focus on providing the best pharmacy services to its customers.

Established in 2003 by Directors Peter Gardiakos and Stan Kontos, Star Pharmacy Group now employs 900 plus team members and is a key member of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

Our history

Star Pharmacy Group has a long history in the Pharmacy industry, with our founders operating their own stores for more than 30 years. This strong history paired with our drive to provide our best service possible means that we continue to offer great value pharmacy healthcare for everyone.

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The Star Pharmacy Group Story

1985
Sep 01

September 1985

Founder Peter Gardiakos began working at Croydon Pharmacy, in SA after graduating from the South Australia Institute of Technology (now known as the University of South Australia)

1986
Jan 01

January 1986

    Peter worked at about 40 Pharmacies around Adelaide gaining experience as a reliever.

    1987
    Aug 01

    August 1987

    Stan Kontos began working at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital after graduating from South Australian Institute of Technology. Peter Gardiakos become a partner at the Croydon Pharmacy.

    2003
    Mar 01

    1991 – March 2003

    Peter & Stan purchased pharmacies in Tranmere, Rostrevor and Salisbury Downs In South Australia. Subsequently, in March 2003, the first interstate pharmacy was purchased in Maleny, Queensland.   “This was a challenging yet exciting time for both of us to become partners and take a step out of our comfort…

    Oct 01

    October 2003

    Peter & Stan and two other pharmacists joined all their pharmacies together under Star Pharmacy Alliance on the 31st of October 2003.

    2009
    May 01

    May 2009

    Star Pharmacy Group launches. Star Pharmacy Alliance had to be restructured due to legal regulations and so Star Pharmacy Group was born with Stan and Peter as Directors

    2010
    Feb 01

    February 2010

    The Universal Charitable Fund (UCF) was founded by Peter and Stan together with local business partners as a simple and cost effective way to provide practical support and encouragement to local charities doing a terrific job in helping people in need both in Australia and overseas taking outside investment.  …

    2012
    Apr 01

    April 2012

    Star Pharmacy expanded to the Philippines creating an Information Services team to assist with invoicing, database maintenance and reporting.

    2013
    Aug 01

    August 2013

    The beginning of our brand Discount Chemist Model started with stores in Marion, South Australia and Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

    2014
    Nov 01

    November 2014

    Four stores were added to the discount model in Queensland and South Australia creating a total of six stores by the end of 2014.

    2015
    Dec 01

    December 2015

    The Discount Chemist model has been formally renamed to Star Discount Chemist with more than 12 stores rebranded at the end of 2015.  

    2020
    Jan 01

    January 2020

    New Purpose, Vision and Values were developed to drive the direction of the business  

    2023
    Sep 25

    September 2023

    Star Pharmacy Group expands further adding 3 stores in Victoria and an additional store in Queensland. Star Discount Chemist now has 41 stores nationally after 3 exciting conversions in early 2023.  

    2024
    May 06

    May 2023

    Star Pharmacy Group welcomed 6 incredible pharmacies to the team on the 6th May, extending our store network across both regional and metropolitan South Australia. A warm welcome was extended to Priceline North Haven, Minlaton Pharmacy, Kingston Pharmacy, Meningie Pharmacy, Maitland Pharmacy, and Huntfield Heights Pharmacy!  

    Our leadership

    Our leaders are dedicated to growing the Star Pharmacy Group. With years of varied experience across retail and Pharmacy, these people are the driving force behind our values, our culture and how we do business. Star Pharmacy Group is committed to helping our Pharmacies become the best they can possibly be.

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    Our philanthropy

    At Star Pharmacy Group our purpose is to support our community to be ‘Happier and Healthier Every Day’. We know that we have the power as an organisation and as individuals to lead change in our community and in our workplace through our sustainability, philanthropy and inclusivity initiatives.

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    In the spirit of reconciliation the Star Pharmacy Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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