In the era before digital solutions, medication management in aged care was a risky, error-prone process. A University of Sydney study found 72.6% of medication records between doctors, pharmacies, and care homes had discrepancies, with 48.5% posing risks of moderate harm and 9.8% for severe harm.
BESTMED, Australia’s leading medication management software company, was founded to tackle this challenge head-on. From modest beginnings operating as a pharmacy in Granville, Western Sydney, founders Sam, Joe, Nass, and Jay Hijazi, built a platform that now supports 1,250 aged care homes and 1,400 pharmacies. It’s seen medication incidents reduce by 63% and administrative time by 35%.
“The founders walked in the footsteps of the users,” says CEO Phil Offer. “If there was a problem, they’d shout up the stairs to the developers, code it, test it, and refine the solution.”
This problem-solving spirit led to a cloud-based platform that connects carers, pharmacies, doctors, and families in real time, eliminating the need for re-entered data. Partnerships with Yuyama for packing automation and now Blister Partner for AI-powered sachet verification transformed sachets into the preferred dosing method, enhancing safety and efficiency.
“Everyone’s got access to the latest medication data,” Phil explains, highlighting how this single, live record has slashed discrepancies to near zero. A time-and-motion study showed a 35% reduction in admin tasks, freeing staff for direct care.
“You’re freeing that person up to do whatever they need to do in the home,” Phil says, noting that 90% of care staff feel more supported, reducing stress in a high-pressure environment.
Transforming lives, one resident at a time
BESTMED’s technology has a profound human impact. Their BESTMED Connect app, co-designed with Macquarie University, empowers families to monitor medication changes instantly.
“We had family members who were engaged, getting those messages that their loved one’s medications have changed, and they were able to spot errors,” Phil shares, recalling a trial where this transparency prevented mistakes. “That’s the beauty of technology, you’re building an extra safety net to minimise errors.”
By connecting all stakeholders, BESTMED reduces the risk of hospitalisations due to medication mishaps. As the company expands into home care and NDIS, it’s addressing the growing needs of an ageing population with higher acuity.
“We’ve built that solution to help care workers visiting homes as well,” Phil notes, ensuring safety extends beyond residential settings. This focus on real-time data and user support has earned glowing feedback. “The biggest rewards we get are when we talk to our customers and users, hearing how much they like the system and how it makes their job safer and easier,” Phil says.
A milestone with heart
Marking their 10-year anniversary, BESTMED is giving back through a partnership with Connect the 40%, a platform dedicated to uplifting the 40% of aged care residents who rarely receive visitors.
Their “Connect to Celebrate” competition invites care providers and pharmacies to share, in 50 words or less, what their residents love to celebrate most, with three homes winning unique gifts and community events. “The statistic that 40% of residents don’t have a visitor still shocks me every time,” Phil admits. “
As we celebrate 10 years, we thought it would be great to embrace that initiative and open it up to homes to apply for some of their residents to benefit from a unique experience they’ll always remember.”
Inspired by his own love for exploring, Phil envisions experiences like virtual world tours or outings to spark joy. “I’ve been fortunate to visit every continent,” he says. “If I was no longer able to travel, anything that could bring back that experience in a real or tech form would be great.”
A vision for a safer future
BESTMED’s innovation shows no signs of slowing. In 2026, they’ll integrate with Best Practice’s GP software, used by 65% of GPs, to streamline data sharing and eliminate error-prone manual entry.
Millions invested in R&D with universities like Macquarie are driving next-generation solutions to eradicate medication errors entirely. “The ability of connecting to one piece of data so everyone doesn’t have to go out and find what that data is – that’s what takes that 72.6% down,” explains Phil.
As BESTMED expands into home care and the NDIS, their mission remains clear: “Reduce medication errors, improve sustainability – that job is never done, and we’re always looking for new ideas.” Their anniversary celebration, including the “Connect to Celebrate” competition, reflects this commitment.
“This is a company with heart,” Phil says, recalling a team anthem created with Song Division to mark the milestone, a moment that underscored their shared purpose.
A shared mission
BESTMED’s journey from a pharmacy’s problem-solving roots to a nationwide network is a testament to innovation with purpose.
By slashing errors, saving time, and empowering care workers, they’re transforming aged care. The “Connect to Celebrate” competition, in partnership with Connect the 40%, is a heartfelt way to share their 10-year milestone, bringing joy to residents who need it most.
Providers can join by filling out this form. As Phil puts it, “We’re focused on the exciting years ahead, using great tech to solve really important problems and support care workers 24 hours a day.”
