Miss Menah Bata1
1Chemist Warehouse Preston HomeCo, Melbourne, Australia, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Menah Bata is a registered pharmacist, currently working at Buckley St Pharmacy. She has developed a strong foundation in both hospital and community pharmacy practice, with a focus on patient-centred care. Menah previously served as an Executive Director of the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) in 2022/2023, contributing to national initiatives. Her achievements include the 2023 Sirriani Scholarship for Future Pharmacist Leaders and recognition as a 2024 NAPSA PSOTY Wildcard finalist. Passionate about creating change in community pharmacy and shaping its future, with interests in health promotion, research, and women’s health, aiming to improve education, and health outcomes.
Elara (Empowering Life After Reproductive Age) is a pharmacist-led health promotion initiative designed to improve menopause awareness, health literacy and confidence. Delivered as an in-pharmacy menopause booth, first implemented in September 2025, Elara created a welcoming space for women to access evidence-based information, engage in open discussions, and receive personalised pharmacist-led support.
Central to the initiative is the Elara Glow concept of “glowing through the phases,” which reframes menopause as a stage woman can navigate with confidence rather than uncertainty. The Elara Glow Guide was created, as a consumer-friendly resource developed to simplify symptoms, include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options, alongside other evidence-based materials.
The initiative achieved strong engagement, with over 40 women participating in one week. Evaluation data demonstrated high satisfaction, with 39 out of 40 participants reporting improved confidence in managing menopause. Qualitative feedback reinforces this impact, with participants stating, “This should be in every pharmacy” and “Needed this years ago,” while others expressed a desire for ongoing support.
Elara demonstrates the value of pharmacist-led, community-based women's health initiatives. The success of this project highlights its potential expansion to ongoing pharmacy services, community initiatives, and digital engagement, further strengthening the role of pharmacists in menopause care.