Pharmacy Direct is owned and operated by Chempro Chemists, an Australian pharmacy group headquartered in Molendinar, Queensland. Chempro was founded by Steven Probert in 2003 and operates over 150 pharmacy stores across Queensland and New South Wales. In October 2023, EVOLOR Group Holdings Pty Ltd acquired Chempro. Pharmacy Direct operates as the online pharmacy brand within the Chempro group, based at the same Molendinar headquarters.
Parent Company
Chempro Chemists
Acquired
2023
Status
Private
Headquarters
Molendinar, Queensland, Australia
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Direct | Chempro Chemists | Wholly owned |
Pharmacy Direct claims to be Australia's first online pharmacy, with origins tracing back to 1996. The website pharmacydirect.com.au has operated as an online pharmacy serving Australian customers with prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and wellness items. The brand was integrated into the Chempro Chemists group, which provided the physical pharmacy network, supply chain infrastructure, and professional pharmacy oversight to support online operations.
Chempro Chemists was founded in 2003 by Steven Probert, a pharmacist who began with a single store on the Gold Coast. The company expanded rapidly through a franchise model, reaching 100 stores by 2019 and over 150 stores by 2025. The 100th store opened at Loganholme Village, marking what Probert described as a major milestone for the banner group.
The online pharmacy operations were formalized through Chempro Online Pty Ltd ATF Chempro Online Trust, registered in March 2016. The trust structure manages the digital pharmacy business, including the Pharmacy Direct brand, Chemist Outlet Online, and the earlier Empire Drug Store brand. The Pharmacy Direct business name has been registered and renewed multiple times, with the current registration dating from June 2024.
Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, Pharmacy Direct expanded its product range to over 17,000 health and wellness products. The platform added features including prescription management, pharmacist consultations via phone and email, and scheduled delivery services. The brand positioned itself as a convenient alternative to physical pharmacy visits, particularly for customers in rural and remote areas of Australia.
In October 2023, EVOLOR Group Holdings acquired Chempro, including Pharmacy Direct. The acquisition brought new corporate oversight but maintained the existing operational structure. Pharmacy Direct continued to operate from the Molendinar headquarters, with the same fulfillment and customer service infrastructure.
As of 2026, Pharmacy Direct employs approximately 15 people at its Molendinar headquarters. The company faces competition from larger online pharmacy operators including Chemist Warehouse's online platform, Priceline Pharmacy's digital services, and newer entrants such as MedAdvisor and InstantScripts.
Is Chempro Chemists owned by another company?
Yes, Chempro Chemists is a subsidiary of EVOLOR Group Holdings Pty Ltd, a private Australian company registered in August 2023. EVOLOR acquired Chempro in October 2023. Steven Probert, the founder of Chempro, continues to serve as CEO following the acquisition.
Is Chempro Chemists publicly traded?
No, Chempro Chemists is not publicly traded. The company is privately owned through EVOLOR Group Holdings Pty Ltd. The core operating entity is CHEMPRO (QLD) PTY LTD (ABN 97 104 469 178), an Australian private company.
When was Chempro Chemists founded?
Chempro Chemists was founded in 2003 by Steven Probert. The company was formally registered as CHEMPRO (QLD) PTY LTD on 1 May 2003, with the business name "CHEMPRO CHEMIST" registered on 11 August 2005. The company began as a small pharmacy banner group on the Gold Coast and has since expanded to 167 stores.
Who founded Chempro Chemists?
Chempro Chemists was founded by Steven Probert, a pharmacist who established the company on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Probert continues to serve as CEO, maintaining operational leadership and strategic direction following the EVOLOR acquisition.
How many Chempro Chemists stores are there?
As of 2025, Chempro Chemists operates 167 stores across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The company celebrated its 100th store opening at Loganholme Village and has since expanded to over 167 locations, making it one of the fastest growing pharmacy groups in Australia.
What brands does Chempro Chemists own?
Chempro operates three brands: Chempro Chemists (the flagship retail pharmacy banner group with 167 stores), Chemist Outlet (a complementary discount pharmacy banner brand), and Pharmacy Direct (Australia's first online pharmacy, founded in 1996, offering over 17,000 health and wellness products online).
What is Pharmacy Direct?
Pharmacy Direct is Australia's first online pharmacy, founded in 1996. It is owned and operated by Chempro and offers over 17,000 health and wellness products through its online platform at pharmacydirect.com.au. The service provides convenient access to medications and wellness products with competitive pricing, direct pharmacist access, and secure delivery across Australia.
What is the EVOLOR acquisition?
In October 2023, EVOLOR Group Holdings Pty Ltd, a private Australian company registered in August 2023, acquired Chempro Chemists. Following the acquisition, Steven Probert remained as CEO, ensuring continuity of leadership. The acquisition provided Chempro with additional capital and resources to support its continued expansion across Queensland and New South Wales.
Pharmacy Direct does not hold independent sustainability certifications. The brand does not publish a sustainability report. Environmental and social initiatives are managed at the Chempro group level and are not publicly detailed.
As an online pharmacy, Pharmacy Direct's environmental impact is primarily related to packaging and delivery logistics. The brand uses standard pharmaceutical packaging, which must comply with Australian therapeutic goods regulations for medication safety and integrity. There is no public information about specific packaging reduction or recyclability initiatives.
Pharmacy Direct's digital-first model reduces the need for individual customer trips to physical pharmacies, which can lower transportation-related emissions, particularly for customers in rural and remote areas. However, the brand's delivery operations generate emissions through courier and postal services.
The brand operates under Australian pharmacy regulations, including the Pharmacy Board of Australia's professional standards and the Therapeutic Goods Administration's requirements for medication handling and distribution. Pharmacists employed by Pharmacy Direct must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
No greenwashing controversies have been documented against Pharmacy Direct or Chempro. The company does not make public environmental claims that would require verification.
Pharmacy Direct has not received significant industry awards or formal recognition. The brand is not listed among the winners of the Australian Pharmacy Awards, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's Excellence Awards, or the Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPhA) awards.
Within the Chempro group, Pharmacy Direct has been acknowledged internally for its role in expanding the group's digital capabilities and serving customers outside the physical store network. However, no external awards or industry recognition have been documented as of 2026.
The lack of formal recognition reflects the brand's relatively small scale and the customer service challenges documented in online reviews. Pharmacy Direct's contribution to the Chempro group is primarily operational rather than award-winning.
Pharmacy Direct has received significant customer criticism. The brand holds a rating of 2.1 out of 5 stars on ProductReview.com.au from 175 reviews as of 2025. Customers have reported issues with order processing delays, customer service responsiveness, delivery problems, and communication failures. Some reviews describe difficulty reaching customer service staff, with reports that only approximately two customer service workers are on site while other functions are outsourced.
The brand has not been subject to product recalls or regulatory enforcement actions by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or the Pharmacy Board of Australia. However, operating an online pharmacy in Australia requires compliance with complex regulatory requirements across multiple state and territory jurisdictions. Pharmacy Direct must navigate different pharmacy practice standards, prescription handling protocols, and mail-order pharmacy regulations depending on the customer's location.
Concerns have been raised within the healthcare community about whether online pharmacy platforms can adequately replicate the professional services available in physical pharmacies. These concerns include medication counseling, patient education, and the ability to identify potential drug interactions without face-to-face consultations. Pharmacy Direct addresses these concerns by employing qualified pharmacists for online consultations, but the effectiveness of remote pharmacy services remains debated in the professional community.
As an online healthcare provider, Pharmacy Direct handles sensitive patient information and must comply with Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. No data breaches have been publicly reported, but the brand handles prescription records, patient health information, and payment data, creating inherent data security risks.
The 2023 acquisition by EVOLOR Group Holdings introduced new corporate ownership that has not been publicly scrutinized. EVOLOR was registered specifically for the acquisition, and its ownership structure, financial backing, and long-term plans for Chempro and Pharmacy Direct have not been publicly detailed.
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemist Warehouse Group | Australia | 2015 | Mass market | Australia | All Genders |
Market Positioning: Pharmacy Direct competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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