Mannings shines at ESGBusiness Awards 2024 with healthcare and workplace wellness initiatives

The company was awarded wins for Healthcare Services Award - Hong Kong and Workplace Wellness Programme Award - Hong Kong.

Mannings, a leading Health and Beauty retail chain in Hong Kong, has once again proven its commitment to community health and environmental sustainability, earning prestigious accolades at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024.

Mannings won the Healthcare Services Award - Hong Kong and the Workplace Wellness Programme Award - Hong Kong for its pioneering efforts in healthcare services and dedication to employee well-being.

Championing safe disposal of unused medicines

One of the major initiatives that earned Mannings the Healthcare Services Award - Hong Kong was its innovative unused medicine disposal service.

Improper disposal of medicines, such as throwing them away with household waste or flushing them down the toilet, poses serious threats to both human health and the environment. Medicines discarded inappropriately can end up in landfills or water bodies, eventually contaminating soil and water sources. Even more concerning, it may lead to the creation of “superbugs"—drug-resistant bacteria that pose a significant public health risk.

In response, Mannings became Hong Kong's first community pharmacy chain to offer a dedicated service for the proper disposal of unwanted or expired household medications. This service not only helps protect the environment by ensuring that pharmaceutical waste is safely processed but also raises public awareness of the potential hazards associated with improper disposal.

The success of this initiative was evident when Mannings collected over 1 million unused pills in 2023. In 2024, the programme expanded significantly, with Mannings doubling the number of participating pharmacies to nearly 60.

This expansion, coupled with strong community engagement, led to an astounding collection of 3.3 million pills in just one month, more than double the amount from the previous year. The initiative drew attention to the sheer volume of unused medicines being stockpiled in homes, with more than 300 types of medications collected. Notably, some of the expired medicines were nearly three decades old, with cold and flu medications being the most common.

The collected pills were safely disposed of by an Environmental Protection Department-licensed chemical waste collector, ensuring they were properly handled at a chemical waste treatment facility. Mannings Pharmacists also provided free Medication Counselling Services, offering professional advice on proper medicine usage and storage to reduce waste at the source.

Mannings also extended its influence through educational campaigns. The company utilised various digital platforms, including Instagram reels and social media content, to raise awareness. With over 17 million impressions, the campaign amplified public understanding of safe medication disposal and proper healthcare practices, cementing Mannings’ role as a leader in community health education.

A comprehensive solution for employee health

Meanwhile, for its victory as the Workplace Wellness Programme Award - Hong Kong, Mannings was recognised for the Mannings PharmaCare Programme. The initiative, launched in 2023, focusses on handling eight common minor illnesses with professional consultation by registered pharmacists and free medication.

Through PharmaCare, employees can lessen the burden of primary healthcare systems, such as hours spent in registration and time spent waiting to be seen by doctors. A pharmacist’s note recording consultation details is specifically designed for users as a supporting document for leave applications.

Since its launch, there has been a gradual shift in behaviour amongst users. An impressive 57% of PharmaCare users have indicated that they will visit pharmacists to handle minor illnesses.

Unique to other pharmacy services, PharmaCare is tailored for corporations as a health service option to safeguard employee health and wellness at an affordable cost. It’s a target of PharmaCare to cover not only the employee but also their family members who are not covered by medical insurance, like parents and domestic helpers of employees.

Currently serving five corporates in two regions (Hong Kong & Macau), PharmaCare has covered 30,000 users, including employees and their family members and domestic helpers, whilst a number of insurance partners are expected to join PharmaCare within 2024.

Mannings’ PharmaCare Programme has received a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction rating in a user survey. Additionally, it has effectively provided accessible and flexible options for employees and their families, with 52% of visits by family members and domestic helpers, 42% of visits outside usual clinic working hours, and a 35% drop in Mannings’ sick leave rate per team member.

Mannings' double win at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024 underscores its unwavering commitment to both community health and workplace wellness. With these achievements, Mannings has demonstrated that they are not just a pharmacy chain but a pivotal force in advancing sustainability and health in Hong Kong.

The ESGBusiness Awards recognises companies that excel in sustainable practices, honouring businesses that show exceptional commitment to environmental, social, and governance standards.

The ESGBusiness Awards is presented by ESGBusiness. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].