The PSA’s national conference wrapped on Sunday after 3 days of learning, celebration and networking at Sydney’s International Convention Centre (ICC), with delegates embracing this year’s theme, ‘Home of Pharmacists’.
The conference wrapped Sunday 2 August with ‘CSI Sunday’, tailored streams led by PSA’s consultant, hospital, early career, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities of Specialty Interest.
On the education front, PSA also announced a new partnership with Australian Prescriber – published by Therapeutic Guidelines – providing pharmacists access to accredited CPD credits for selected peer-reviewed articles from the independent journal.
‘PSA is proud to partner with Australian Prescriber, an independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on drugs and therapeutics for health professionals,’ said PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS. ‘This partnership is another example of how PSA is working to support pharmacists across all practice settings, at every career stage, ensuring they have access to trusted learning that is practical, accessible and relevant to everyday practice.’
Therapeutic Guidelines CEO Dr Leigh-Anne Claase said the collaboration reflected a long-standing relationship between the two organisations.
‘Therapeutic Guidelines has long relied on the knowledge and skill of pharmacists to develop its guidelines, and, through this new partnership with the PSA, we look forward to supporting the profession into the future,’ she said.
Dressed to impress at the Gala Dinner
After 2 days of back-to-back learning, exhibition browsing and building connections, pharmacists let their hair down at Saturday night’s Gala Dinner.
Held at inner Sydney’s swanky Masonic Centre, the theme of this year’s event was ‘Dressed to impress’ – and attending pharmacists certainly understood the memo.
If you missed it this year, scroll through AP’s gallery and see if you can spot your scrubbed-up friends.
Pharmacy’s next star student announced
After an onstage competition where pharmacy students led a consultation with a pregnant patient seeking cold sore treatment, Alexandra Ravenhall from RMIT University was crowned the winner of the 2026 PSA Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) competition.
Presented annually, PSOTY challenges finalists to gather relevant clinical information, identify appropriate referral points, and provide safe, patient-centred advice — testing their clinical knowledge, communication, and counselling skills in the process
Ms Ravenhall was selected as the winner by a judging panel comprising PSA Board Director Dr Amanda Cross FPS, early career pharmacist Shaylee Mills MPS, and Ian Currie MPS, Product Manager at Viatris.
Fourth-year pharmacy student Sophia Watson from Curtin University took home the People’s Choice Award, chosen by PSA26 delegates attending the PSOTY competition.
‘The finalists demonstrated the critical skills we expect to see from modern pharmacists, from communicating effectively to building trust with patients, demonstrating their clinical reasoning, and supporting the Quality Use of Medicines,’ Dr Cross said.
‘These students represent a bright future for the profession, and they should all be proud of their achievements. Congratulations to Alexandra for her highly competitive performance and all the finalists for participating.’
The volunteers behind the scenes
At PSA national conferences each year, pharmacy students volunteer their time to help PSA’s national conferences run smoothly.
This year, final-year University of Technology Sydney student Alannah Ajami was awarded the PDL Student Volunteer of the Year Award – following a vote by delegates at PSA26.
‘PDL is delighted to sponsor the Student Volunteer of the Year Award and recognise the exceptional contribution student volunteers make to the pharmacy profession,’ said PDL Professional Officer Naomi Lim. ‘We warmly congratulate Alannah on receiving this year’s award.’
Ned Worboys, PSA26 conference manager said Ms Ajami embodied this year’s conference theme.
‘Conferences like PSA26 run on the energy of our volunteers, and this year, we’ve had a truly great group,’ she said. ‘[Ms Ajami] really epitomised this year’s theme, the Home of Pharmacists.’
Looking ahead
With PSA26 wrapped up, planning is already underway for next year’s conference.
PSA27 will be held at the ICC Sydney, on Friday 30 July to Sunday 1 August 2027.
See you all next year!
