Dr Parvin Ataie-Kachoie and Jenny Tran
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[post_content] => In this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, five pharmacists have been awarded prestigious Orders of Australia Medals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their local communities.
PSA congratulated the pharmacists recognised in Monday’s honours list, including:
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[post_content] => Following several incident reports, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued new preoperative precautions linked to these popular therapies.
Last week, the TGA issued an alert over use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs) before procedures involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
This warning extends to all medicines in these classes approved for diabetes and/or chronic weight management, including:
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[post_content] => Some pharmacists have recently pondered the possibility of administering cosmetic injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers, reaching out to PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line for guidance.
‘Now that pharmacists are injecting more medicines, and we have up-skilled to be able to do that, the next question on a lot of pharmacists’ minds is, “what about cosmetic injectables”?’ said Pooja Jadeja MPS from PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line
‘They want to know whether it’s something they can legally inject and what the regulatory requirements are.’
So can you – and should you? Australian Pharmacist investigates this prickly issue.
Where can pharmacists legally administer Botox?
[caption id="attachment_28631" align="alignright" width="250"]
Pooja Jadeja MPS[/caption]
‘Technically, anywhere except New South Wales,’ Ms Jadeja said. ‘But in other jurisdictions, it’s not defined in legislation whether it’s legal or not.’
Botulinum toxins – or Botox – is of course a Schedule 4 medicine. So to be lawful, a prescription would need to first be issued to the patient and dispensed.
What are the administration requirements?
While pharmacists operating outside the ‘Premier State’ could infer that they can legally administer dispensed cosmetic injections, they must question whether it is:
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[post_content] => Years of calculating exact medication dosages mirror Depinder Chhibber’s meticulous approach in the MasterChef kitchen, where every gram and garnish matters under intense pressure.
Depinder Chhibber has had a busy few years since last appearing on season 13 of MasterChef Australia in 2021.
In between appearing as a special guest chef on MasterChef India in 2023 to becoming a mother to two girls – she has still found time to stick to her pharmacy roots.
Ms Chhibber has even changed practice settings, moving from community pharmacy to industry, and onto hospital pharmacy when travelling with her husband for work.
‘The greatest gift I've ever received from my pharmacy degree is being able to get a job anywhere in the world,’ she said. ‘When we travelled around rural Australia, I had a job literally everywhere I went, and I couldn't be more grateful that I could work and help in those communities.’
Last year proved to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding years for Ms Chhibber, who balanced part-time work as a pharmacist, full-time motherhood while launching her supper club Ghar in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Ghar, which translates directly to ‘home’ in Hindi, perfectly captures the vibe Ms Chhibber sought to create with her supper club.
‘The food I’m serving is a sneak peek into every household in India – but elevated,’ she said. ‘Patrons are served individual portions on the same long table. Everyone interacts, because Indian food is all about community, sharing, and eating with your family and friends.’
Now, she is battling it out once again in the kitchen on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, which brought back 24 standout contestants from previous seasons to compete in advanced challenges, eliminations, and immunity tests for a second chance at the title.
‘Because I wasn't busy enough, I went out and got onto MasterChef again,’ she laughed.
While Ms Chhibber said the MasterChef kitchen has the ‘same energy’ this time around, the stakes have risen.
‘It's very different from the previous season, because we're competing with people who have been in the food industry for many years and the competition is super stiff,’ she said.
Australian Pharmacist sat down with Ms Chhibber to discuss how her years in pharmacy have primed her for the most competitive season of MasterChef yet.
Clinical calm under kitchen pressure
During Pressure Tests, which occur during Masterchef elimination rounds, contestants must replicate a detailed recipe exactly – measuring ingredients, using precise techniques and plating as instructed. They must complete this task within a strict time limit and without any outside references – with accuracy, taste and presentation determining who stays and who goes.
To get through these tough tests, Ms Chhibber draws on her experience in the demanding world of dispensing medicines in a busy pharmacy.
When you’re on national television, the ‘miss one step and you’re out’ dynamic of pressure tests can be highly stressful. So too can dispensing Schedule 8 medicines, when a slight error could be career- or life-ending.
‘When you do a pressure test, you are highly focused. As much as they say you need to do one step at a time, you really need to multitask and move super fast at all times – because if you don't, you're not going to get through the recipe,’ she said.
‘As a pharmacist, you've got to multitask and work around different teams and steps. You're doing so many things at the same time – checking a script, looking over who's coming into your store and what Schedule 3 [medicine] has been handed out.’
Pharmacists are ultimately responsible for what goes on in the pharmacy, much like in a pressure test.
‘You've got a gas stove with three burners going, and at the same time you’ve got something in the oven on the other side. Then, the judges come and have a chat with you,’ Ms Chhibber said. ‘Staying calm under pressure, which I’ve learned over the years as a pharmacist, has really helped me this time around.’
From drug compounds to unexpected ingredients
In a MasterChef Mystery Box Challenge, each contestant is given a sealed box containing a hidden set of ingredients – often chosen by a guest chef. They must create a complete dish using only those ingredients and a limited ‘underbench’ pantry within 75 minutes. Once time’s up, the dishes are presented to the judges, who evaluate them on creativity, technical execution and flavour – with the top performers either earning immunity or other advantages in subsequent rounds.
Contestants will face entirely unknown ingredients in the mystery box, so their palate and resourcefulness really come into play, Ms Chhibber said.
‘That's very similar to reading medicine labels, because there'll be some ingredients that we won't know or have never experienced. But then you consult formulary references or search for similar compounds, or a particular drug class or excipient,’ she said. ‘You rely back on the basics to get you through that particular challenge.’
Counselling skills at the judging table
When a dish is ready for tasting, contestants present it to the judges – providing a brief summary that includes the dish’s name, highlights key ingredients and techniques, and describes the intended flavours.
With Ms Chhibber presenting a lot of Indian dishes, she distills her explanation just as she would when counselling a patient on a medication’s mechanism and effects.
‘We talk about medical jargon in pharmacy, but there’s a lot of food-related jargon as well,’ she said. ‘So I’ve had to simplify things for the judges in terms of ingredients or techniques. They’ve got it every time, so I must be doing something right.’
Balancing pharmacy passion with culinary ambitions
Although some may assume Ms Chhibber plans to pursue cooking full-time, she will always work as a pharmacist – even if only a couple of days a week.
‘I worked really hard to get to the point where I was where I am now, and it’s very hard to let that go,’ she said.
She is keen, however, to offer cooking ‘masterclasses’, much like the training session she presented while working in industry as a Senior Medical Affairs associate
‘Towards the end of my time in the pharmaceutical industry, I was presenting at a lot of conferences and running training sessions for our representatives that were working out on the field,’ Ms Chhibber said.
‘I think that would really resonate with running cooking classes, because it’s explaining new things to people and teaching them from the very bottom to develop those skills.’
Much like the breakfast mixer she co-hosted with PSA’s very own Chris Campbell on the ‘11 secret ingredients to the evolving role of pharmacists’ at PSA22, Ms Chhibber plans to make it fun.
‘That was one of the best things I've ever done which I would love to do again. I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t paying attention or having a good time,’ she said. ‘It’s good to spice things up to keep it interesting.’
New pharmacy horizons
In terms of pharmacy, Ms Chhibber is keen to get more involved in Opioid Dependence Treatment.
‘I’ve done a lot of methadone dosing, which I really like because we get to see the changes and development in patients over the years,’ she said.
This process can take longer in some patients, who may not know how to ask for help.
‘But if they can come to a pharmacy and receive non-judgemental care, that’s something I feel quite passionate about,’ Ms Chhibber said.
Since becoming a mum, she’s also keen to offer paediatric care.
‘Now I've got a lot of personal experience with children and treating them for simple things that you don’t always need a GP for, I'm always encouraging parents to bring their kids to us to see if we can do something,’ she said.
‘They'd rather come into a pharmacy so they can get care earlier than wait for hours in the emergency department.’
Now that Network 10 has just issued the casting call for the next season of MasterChef Australia, Ms Chhibber encourages any other budding pharmacist chefs who are interested in cooking to give it a go.
‘Fortunately I was in a situation where my managers were very supportive and were more excited than I was,’ she said. ‘If you’ve got the right support, good stability, and can afford to do it, it's definitely worth it.’
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[post_content] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide further around-the-clock access to pharmacist care and expert advice for the community.
Terry White Chemmart Hallett Cove was officially unveiled as a 24/7 pharmacy – joining three others in Adelaide to offer non-urgent care outside usual hours – by PSA SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Health Minister Chris Picton, and Member for Black Alex Dighton.
‘You never know when you’ll need health advice, medicines or support, Dr Angley said. ‘Having 24-hour access to pharmacist advice is a game changer for so many South Australians … meaning more people can access pharmacist services, from treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, to palliative care medicines to mental health first aid.’
Terry White Chemmart Hallet Cove joins a number of pharmacies around Australia operating around the clock, including:
Australian Pharmacist spoke with three pharmacists from across Australia who provide 24/7 pharmacy care to highlight just how vital this service is for communities.
Jeremy Sparks, Pharmacist in Charge of National Pharmacies Norwood[/caption]
‘We’ve dispensed more than 19,000 prescriptions, facilitating timely access to time-sensitive [medicines] such as antibiotics and analgesics for recently discharged or diagnosed patients, or just helping people who didn't realise they were out of their regular medications until they went to reach for a pill that wasn't there,’ he said.
‘We’ve also fielded around 4,000 calls, with most calls seeking advice on medication interactions, general medicines advice e.g. how to take, when to take, and if they should be worried about adverse effects), and the wide range of minor ailments we see in pharmacies every day, including bites, burns, rashes, gastrointestinal upsets and nausea.’
The highest demand out-of-hours prescriptions include inhalers for respiratory conditions, antibiotics and pain relief.
‘We like to think that providing timely access to medicines and analgesia has helped to prevent infections from progressing, and prevent or treat asthma attacks to reduce the amount of people presenting to EDs for easily preventable causes,’ Mr Sparks said.
‘Just recently we had a new mum discharged from hospital with her baby, and a parent needing antibiotics for a child’s ear infection. These are both situations where prompt access to their prescriptions improved outcomes.’
The team also fields a high volume of patient queries on minor wounds.
‘They can dress these wounds or assess and give recommendations about whether a visit to the hospital is really necessary.’
One of Norwood’s pharmacists encountered one of the strangest nights at the 24/7 pharmacy, where three patients who had all been on a flight from Sydney which ran late came in at separate intervals during the night.
‘The pilot decided to take off quickly from Sydney so they wouldn't miss the Adelaide Curfew, which unfortunately resulted in all their luggage being left behind,’ he said.
‘The first patient came in with eScripts to fill, the second thankfully just needed contact solution and a toothbrush, and the third was an elderly man with his son who needed his medication but had no scripts.’
With a speedy referral to a telehealth service, the Doctor immediately sent through eScripts for the elderly patient’s blood pressure and glaucoma medications.
‘And we were able to get him sorted without any missed doses.’
Lachlan Menouhos, Pharmacist Manager of Chemistworks in Wetherill Park[/caption]
‘Once they know we're open and they can get scripts filled all hours of the night, people who have been discharged from hospital come from all over Sydney – from the city to Campbelltown, Camden and the North Shore,’ he said.
A key service the pharmacy fulfills is an over-the-phone triage service – typically for older patients who need medicines advice or abnormal symptoms.
‘They call back the next day and they say, “thank you for referring me to the ED. It was a stomach ulcer or elevated blood pressure”.’
In terms of foot traffic, families typically benefit from the late-night service.
‘We see a lot of sick children after hours,’ Mr Menouhos said. ‘Often it’s parents who have been working during the day and couldn’t get to the doctor. They will get nappies, formula, and children’s Panadol and Nurofen.’
The after-hours service is greatly valued by the community. In 2023, 553 Chemistworks Wetherill Park customers completed a survey, finding that:
Mohamed Bassuny MPS, former Pharmacist Manager Bendigo UFS After Hours Pharmacy [/caption]
‘We covered a large demographic area, seeing patients as far as 60–70 kilometers away,’ he said. ‘So we decided to extend hours of service for the community, particularly with both Urgent Care Clinics and EDs being functional. You have to have a point of access for medication for these two services.’
As a ‘full scope’ pharmacy, the team prescribes medicines for patients under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, which was recently made permanent.
‘When patients experience a severe UTI, we could provide a consultation, and prescribe and dispense, as well as analgesia, so they could have relief overnight,’ Mr Bassuny said.
‘If the patient went to the ED, they would have to wait long hours and only be able to get their medication dispensed the next day – as there is no pharmacy operating in the hospital overnight.’
Sometimes, the care that late-night pharmacies provide is life saving.
‘I had a patient come in with symptoms of a stroke – including heartburn and a tingling in the left arm – and they didn't know what's going on,’ he said.
After triaging the patient, Mr Bassuny called an ambulance.
‘Often patients push through until the next morning – but this is a critical time and can mean the difference between life and death,’ he said. ‘The patient came at a later time to thank us and said, “If you hadn't done that, the situation would have been much more serious”.’
[post_title] => How 24/7 pharmacies help to fill after-hours health gaps
[post_excerpt] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide around-the-clock access to pharmacist care for the community.
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[post_content] => In this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, five pharmacists have been awarded prestigious Orders of Australia Medals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their local communities.
PSA congratulated the pharmacists recognised in Monday’s honours list, including:
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[post_content] => Following several incident reports, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued new preoperative precautions linked to these popular therapies.
Last week, the TGA issued an alert over use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs) before procedures involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
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[post_content] => Some pharmacists have recently pondered the possibility of administering cosmetic injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers, reaching out to PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line for guidance.
‘Now that pharmacists are injecting more medicines, and we have up-skilled to be able to do that, the next question on a lot of pharmacists’ minds is, “what about cosmetic injectables”?’ said Pooja Jadeja MPS from PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line
‘They want to know whether it’s something they can legally inject and what the regulatory requirements are.’
So can you – and should you? Australian Pharmacist investigates this prickly issue.
Where can pharmacists legally administer Botox?
[caption id="attachment_28631" align="alignright" width="250"] Pooja Jadeja MPS[/caption]
‘Technically, anywhere except New South Wales,’ Ms Jadeja said. ‘But in other jurisdictions, it’s not defined in legislation whether it’s legal or not.’
Botulinum toxins – or Botox – is of course a Schedule 4 medicine. So to be lawful, a prescription would need to first be issued to the patient and dispensed.
What are the administration requirements?
While pharmacists operating outside the ‘Premier State’ could infer that they can legally administer dispensed cosmetic injections, they must question whether it is:
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[post_content] => Years of calculating exact medication dosages mirror Depinder Chhibber’s meticulous approach in the MasterChef kitchen, where every gram and garnish matters under intense pressure.
Depinder Chhibber has had a busy few years since last appearing on season 13 of MasterChef Australia in 2021.
In between appearing as a special guest chef on MasterChef India in 2023 to becoming a mother to two girls – she has still found time to stick to her pharmacy roots.
Ms Chhibber has even changed practice settings, moving from community pharmacy to industry, and onto hospital pharmacy when travelling with her husband for work.
‘The greatest gift I've ever received from my pharmacy degree is being able to get a job anywhere in the world,’ she said. ‘When we travelled around rural Australia, I had a job literally everywhere I went, and I couldn't be more grateful that I could work and help in those communities.’
Last year proved to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding years for Ms Chhibber, who balanced part-time work as a pharmacist, full-time motherhood while launching her supper club Ghar in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Ghar, which translates directly to ‘home’ in Hindi, perfectly captures the vibe Ms Chhibber sought to create with her supper club.
‘The food I’m serving is a sneak peek into every household in India – but elevated,’ she said. ‘Patrons are served individual portions on the same long table. Everyone interacts, because Indian food is all about community, sharing, and eating with your family and friends.’
Now, she is battling it out once again in the kitchen on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, which brought back 24 standout contestants from previous seasons to compete in advanced challenges, eliminations, and immunity tests for a second chance at the title.
‘Because I wasn't busy enough, I went out and got onto MasterChef again,’ she laughed.
While Ms Chhibber said the MasterChef kitchen has the ‘same energy’ this time around, the stakes have risen.
‘It's very different from the previous season, because we're competing with people who have been in the food industry for many years and the competition is super stiff,’ she said.
Australian Pharmacist sat down with Ms Chhibber to discuss how her years in pharmacy have primed her for the most competitive season of MasterChef yet.
Clinical calm under kitchen pressure
During Pressure Tests, which occur during Masterchef elimination rounds, contestants must replicate a detailed recipe exactly – measuring ingredients, using precise techniques and plating as instructed. They must complete this task within a strict time limit and without any outside references – with accuracy, taste and presentation determining who stays and who goes.
To get through these tough tests, Ms Chhibber draws on her experience in the demanding world of dispensing medicines in a busy pharmacy.
When you’re on national television, the ‘miss one step and you’re out’ dynamic of pressure tests can be highly stressful. So too can dispensing Schedule 8 medicines, when a slight error could be career- or life-ending.
‘When you do a pressure test, you are highly focused. As much as they say you need to do one step at a time, you really need to multitask and move super fast at all times – because if you don't, you're not going to get through the recipe,’ she said.
‘As a pharmacist, you've got to multitask and work around different teams and steps. You're doing so many things at the same time – checking a script, looking over who's coming into your store and what Schedule 3 [medicine] has been handed out.’
Pharmacists are ultimately responsible for what goes on in the pharmacy, much like in a pressure test.
‘You've got a gas stove with three burners going, and at the same time you’ve got something in the oven on the other side. Then, the judges come and have a chat with you,’ Ms Chhibber said. ‘Staying calm under pressure, which I’ve learned over the years as a pharmacist, has really helped me this time around.’
From drug compounds to unexpected ingredients
In a MasterChef Mystery Box Challenge, each contestant is given a sealed box containing a hidden set of ingredients – often chosen by a guest chef. They must create a complete dish using only those ingredients and a limited ‘underbench’ pantry within 75 minutes. Once time’s up, the dishes are presented to the judges, who evaluate them on creativity, technical execution and flavour – with the top performers either earning immunity or other advantages in subsequent rounds.
Contestants will face entirely unknown ingredients in the mystery box, so their palate and resourcefulness really come into play, Ms Chhibber said.
‘That's very similar to reading medicine labels, because there'll be some ingredients that we won't know or have never experienced. But then you consult formulary references or search for similar compounds, or a particular drug class or excipient,’ she said. ‘You rely back on the basics to get you through that particular challenge.’
Counselling skills at the judging table
When a dish is ready for tasting, contestants present it to the judges – providing a brief summary that includes the dish’s name, highlights key ingredients and techniques, and describes the intended flavours.
With Ms Chhibber presenting a lot of Indian dishes, she distills her explanation just as she would when counselling a patient on a medication’s mechanism and effects.
‘We talk about medical jargon in pharmacy, but there’s a lot of food-related jargon as well,’ she said. ‘So I’ve had to simplify things for the judges in terms of ingredients or techniques. They’ve got it every time, so I must be doing something right.’
Balancing pharmacy passion with culinary ambitions
Although some may assume Ms Chhibber plans to pursue cooking full-time, she will always work as a pharmacist – even if only a couple of days a week.
‘I worked really hard to get to the point where I was where I am now, and it’s very hard to let that go,’ she said.
She is keen, however, to offer cooking ‘masterclasses’, much like the training session she presented while working in industry as a Senior Medical Affairs associate
‘Towards the end of my time in the pharmaceutical industry, I was presenting at a lot of conferences and running training sessions for our representatives that were working out on the field,’ Ms Chhibber said.
‘I think that would really resonate with running cooking classes, because it’s explaining new things to people and teaching them from the very bottom to develop those skills.’
Much like the breakfast mixer she co-hosted with PSA’s very own Chris Campbell on the ‘11 secret ingredients to the evolving role of pharmacists’ at PSA22, Ms Chhibber plans to make it fun.
‘That was one of the best things I've ever done which I would love to do again. I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t paying attention or having a good time,’ she said. ‘It’s good to spice things up to keep it interesting.’
New pharmacy horizons
In terms of pharmacy, Ms Chhibber is keen to get more involved in Opioid Dependence Treatment.
‘I’ve done a lot of methadone dosing, which I really like because we get to see the changes and development in patients over the years,’ she said.
This process can take longer in some patients, who may not know how to ask for help.
‘But if they can come to a pharmacy and receive non-judgemental care, that’s something I feel quite passionate about,’ Ms Chhibber said.
Since becoming a mum, she’s also keen to offer paediatric care.
‘Now I've got a lot of personal experience with children and treating them for simple things that you don’t always need a GP for, I'm always encouraging parents to bring their kids to us to see if we can do something,’ she said.
‘They'd rather come into a pharmacy so they can get care earlier than wait for hours in the emergency department.’
Now that Network 10 has just issued the casting call for the next season of MasterChef Australia, Ms Chhibber encourages any other budding pharmacist chefs who are interested in cooking to give it a go.
‘Fortunately I was in a situation where my managers were very supportive and were more excited than I was,’ she said. ‘If you’ve got the right support, good stability, and can afford to do it, it's definitely worth it.’
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[post_content] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide further around-the-clock access to pharmacist care and expert advice for the community.
Terry White Chemmart Hallett Cove was officially unveiled as a 24/7 pharmacy – joining three others in Adelaide to offer non-urgent care outside usual hours – by PSA SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Health Minister Chris Picton, and Member for Black Alex Dighton.
‘You never know when you’ll need health advice, medicines or support, Dr Angley said. ‘Having 24-hour access to pharmacist advice is a game changer for so many South Australians … meaning more people can access pharmacist services, from treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, to palliative care medicines to mental health first aid.’
Terry White Chemmart Hallet Cove joins a number of pharmacies around Australia operating around the clock, including:
Australian Pharmacist spoke with three pharmacists from across Australia who provide 24/7 pharmacy care to highlight just how vital this service is for communities.
Jeremy Sparks, Pharmacist in Charge of National Pharmacies Norwood[/caption]
‘We’ve dispensed more than 19,000 prescriptions, facilitating timely access to time-sensitive [medicines] such as antibiotics and analgesics for recently discharged or diagnosed patients, or just helping people who didn't realise they were out of their regular medications until they went to reach for a pill that wasn't there,’ he said.
‘We’ve also fielded around 4,000 calls, with most calls seeking advice on medication interactions, general medicines advice e.g. how to take, when to take, and if they should be worried about adverse effects), and the wide range of minor ailments we see in pharmacies every day, including bites, burns, rashes, gastrointestinal upsets and nausea.’
The highest demand out-of-hours prescriptions include inhalers for respiratory conditions, antibiotics and pain relief.
‘We like to think that providing timely access to medicines and analgesia has helped to prevent infections from progressing, and prevent or treat asthma attacks to reduce the amount of people presenting to EDs for easily preventable causes,’ Mr Sparks said.
‘Just recently we had a new mum discharged from hospital with her baby, and a parent needing antibiotics for a child’s ear infection. These are both situations where prompt access to their prescriptions improved outcomes.’
The team also fields a high volume of patient queries on minor wounds.
‘They can dress these wounds or assess and give recommendations about whether a visit to the hospital is really necessary.’
One of Norwood’s pharmacists encountered one of the strangest nights at the 24/7 pharmacy, where three patients who had all been on a flight from Sydney which ran late came in at separate intervals during the night.
‘The pilot decided to take off quickly from Sydney so they wouldn't miss the Adelaide Curfew, which unfortunately resulted in all their luggage being left behind,’ he said.
‘The first patient came in with eScripts to fill, the second thankfully just needed contact solution and a toothbrush, and the third was an elderly man with his son who needed his medication but had no scripts.’
With a speedy referral to a telehealth service, the Doctor immediately sent through eScripts for the elderly patient’s blood pressure and glaucoma medications.
‘And we were able to get him sorted without any missed doses.’
Lachlan Menouhos, Pharmacist Manager of Chemistworks in Wetherill Park[/caption]
‘Once they know we're open and they can get scripts filled all hours of the night, people who have been discharged from hospital come from all over Sydney – from the city to Campbelltown, Camden and the North Shore,’ he said.
A key service the pharmacy fulfills is an over-the-phone triage service – typically for older patients who need medicines advice or abnormal symptoms.
‘They call back the next day and they say, “thank you for referring me to the ED. It was a stomach ulcer or elevated blood pressure”.’
In terms of foot traffic, families typically benefit from the late-night service.
‘We see a lot of sick children after hours,’ Mr Menouhos said. ‘Often it’s parents who have been working during the day and couldn’t get to the doctor. They will get nappies, formula, and children’s Panadol and Nurofen.’
The after-hours service is greatly valued by the community. In 2023, 553 Chemistworks Wetherill Park customers completed a survey, finding that:
Mohamed Bassuny MPS, former Pharmacist Manager Bendigo UFS After Hours Pharmacy [/caption]
‘We covered a large demographic area, seeing patients as far as 60–70 kilometers away,’ he said. ‘So we decided to extend hours of service for the community, particularly with both Urgent Care Clinics and EDs being functional. You have to have a point of access for medication for these two services.’
As a ‘full scope’ pharmacy, the team prescribes medicines for patients under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, which was recently made permanent.
‘When patients experience a severe UTI, we could provide a consultation, and prescribe and dispense, as well as analgesia, so they could have relief overnight,’ Mr Bassuny said.
‘If the patient went to the ED, they would have to wait long hours and only be able to get their medication dispensed the next day – as there is no pharmacy operating in the hospital overnight.’
Sometimes, the care that late-night pharmacies provide is life saving.
‘I had a patient come in with symptoms of a stroke – including heartburn and a tingling in the left arm – and they didn't know what's going on,’ he said.
After triaging the patient, Mr Bassuny called an ambulance.
‘Often patients push through until the next morning – but this is a critical time and can mean the difference between life and death,’ he said. ‘The patient came at a later time to thank us and said, “If you hadn't done that, the situation would have been much more serious”.’
[post_title] => How 24/7 pharmacies help to fill after-hours health gaps
[post_excerpt] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide around-the-clock access to pharmacist care for the community.
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[post_content] => In this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, five pharmacists have been awarded prestigious Orders of Australia Medals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their local communities.
PSA congratulated the pharmacists recognised in Monday’s honours list, including:
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[post_content] => Following several incident reports, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued new preoperative precautions linked to these popular therapies.
Last week, the TGA issued an alert over use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs) before procedures involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
This warning extends to all medicines in these classes approved for diabetes and/or chronic weight management, including:
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[post_content] => Some pharmacists have recently pondered the possibility of administering cosmetic injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers, reaching out to PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line for guidance.
‘Now that pharmacists are injecting more medicines, and we have up-skilled to be able to do that, the next question on a lot of pharmacists’ minds is, “what about cosmetic injectables”?’ said Pooja Jadeja MPS from PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line
‘They want to know whether it’s something they can legally inject and what the regulatory requirements are.’
So can you – and should you? Australian Pharmacist investigates this prickly issue.
Where can pharmacists legally administer Botox?
[caption id="attachment_28631" align="alignright" width="250"] Pooja Jadeja MPS[/caption]
‘Technically, anywhere except New South Wales,’ Ms Jadeja said. ‘But in other jurisdictions, it’s not defined in legislation whether it’s legal or not.’
Botulinum toxins – or Botox – is of course a Schedule 4 medicine. So to be lawful, a prescription would need to first be issued to the patient and dispensed.
What are the administration requirements?
While pharmacists operating outside the ‘Premier State’ could infer that they can legally administer dispensed cosmetic injections, they must question whether it is:
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[post_content] => Years of calculating exact medication dosages mirror Depinder Chhibber’s meticulous approach in the MasterChef kitchen, where every gram and garnish matters under intense pressure.
Depinder Chhibber has had a busy few years since last appearing on season 13 of MasterChef Australia in 2021.
In between appearing as a special guest chef on MasterChef India in 2023 to becoming a mother to two girls – she has still found time to stick to her pharmacy roots.
Ms Chhibber has even changed practice settings, moving from community pharmacy to industry, and onto hospital pharmacy when travelling with her husband for work.
‘The greatest gift I've ever received from my pharmacy degree is being able to get a job anywhere in the world,’ she said. ‘When we travelled around rural Australia, I had a job literally everywhere I went, and I couldn't be more grateful that I could work and help in those communities.’
Last year proved to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding years for Ms Chhibber, who balanced part-time work as a pharmacist, full-time motherhood while launching her supper club Ghar in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Ghar, which translates directly to ‘home’ in Hindi, perfectly captures the vibe Ms Chhibber sought to create with her supper club.
‘The food I’m serving is a sneak peek into every household in India – but elevated,’ she said. ‘Patrons are served individual portions on the same long table. Everyone interacts, because Indian food is all about community, sharing, and eating with your family and friends.’
Now, she is battling it out once again in the kitchen on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, which brought back 24 standout contestants from previous seasons to compete in advanced challenges, eliminations, and immunity tests for a second chance at the title.
‘Because I wasn't busy enough, I went out and got onto MasterChef again,’ she laughed.
While Ms Chhibber said the MasterChef kitchen has the ‘same energy’ this time around, the stakes have risen.
‘It's very different from the previous season, because we're competing with people who have been in the food industry for many years and the competition is super stiff,’ she said.
Australian Pharmacist sat down with Ms Chhibber to discuss how her years in pharmacy have primed her for the most competitive season of MasterChef yet.
Clinical calm under kitchen pressure
During Pressure Tests, which occur during Masterchef elimination rounds, contestants must replicate a detailed recipe exactly – measuring ingredients, using precise techniques and plating as instructed. They must complete this task within a strict time limit and without any outside references – with accuracy, taste and presentation determining who stays and who goes.
To get through these tough tests, Ms Chhibber draws on her experience in the demanding world of dispensing medicines in a busy pharmacy.
When you’re on national television, the ‘miss one step and you’re out’ dynamic of pressure tests can be highly stressful. So too can dispensing Schedule 8 medicines, when a slight error could be career- or life-ending.
‘When you do a pressure test, you are highly focused. As much as they say you need to do one step at a time, you really need to multitask and move super fast at all times – because if you don't, you're not going to get through the recipe,’ she said.
‘As a pharmacist, you've got to multitask and work around different teams and steps. You're doing so many things at the same time – checking a script, looking over who's coming into your store and what Schedule 3 [medicine] has been handed out.’
Pharmacists are ultimately responsible for what goes on in the pharmacy, much like in a pressure test.
‘You've got a gas stove with three burners going, and at the same time you’ve got something in the oven on the other side. Then, the judges come and have a chat with you,’ Ms Chhibber said. ‘Staying calm under pressure, which I’ve learned over the years as a pharmacist, has really helped me this time around.’
From drug compounds to unexpected ingredients
In a MasterChef Mystery Box Challenge, each contestant is given a sealed box containing a hidden set of ingredients – often chosen by a guest chef. They must create a complete dish using only those ingredients and a limited ‘underbench’ pantry within 75 minutes. Once time’s up, the dishes are presented to the judges, who evaluate them on creativity, technical execution and flavour – with the top performers either earning immunity or other advantages in subsequent rounds.
Contestants will face entirely unknown ingredients in the mystery box, so their palate and resourcefulness really come into play, Ms Chhibber said.
‘That's very similar to reading medicine labels, because there'll be some ingredients that we won't know or have never experienced. But then you consult formulary references or search for similar compounds, or a particular drug class or excipient,’ she said. ‘You rely back on the basics to get you through that particular challenge.’
Counselling skills at the judging table
When a dish is ready for tasting, contestants present it to the judges – providing a brief summary that includes the dish’s name, highlights key ingredients and techniques, and describes the intended flavours.
With Ms Chhibber presenting a lot of Indian dishes, she distills her explanation just as she would when counselling a patient on a medication’s mechanism and effects.
‘We talk about medical jargon in pharmacy, but there’s a lot of food-related jargon as well,’ she said. ‘So I’ve had to simplify things for the judges in terms of ingredients or techniques. They’ve got it every time, so I must be doing something right.’
Balancing pharmacy passion with culinary ambitions
Although some may assume Ms Chhibber plans to pursue cooking full-time, she will always work as a pharmacist – even if only a couple of days a week.
‘I worked really hard to get to the point where I was where I am now, and it’s very hard to let that go,’ she said.
She is keen, however, to offer cooking ‘masterclasses’, much like the training session she presented while working in industry as a Senior Medical Affairs associate
‘Towards the end of my time in the pharmaceutical industry, I was presenting at a lot of conferences and running training sessions for our representatives that were working out on the field,’ Ms Chhibber said.
‘I think that would really resonate with running cooking classes, because it’s explaining new things to people and teaching them from the very bottom to develop those skills.’
Much like the breakfast mixer she co-hosted with PSA’s very own Chris Campbell on the ‘11 secret ingredients to the evolving role of pharmacists’ at PSA22, Ms Chhibber plans to make it fun.
‘That was one of the best things I've ever done which I would love to do again. I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t paying attention or having a good time,’ she said. ‘It’s good to spice things up to keep it interesting.’
New pharmacy horizons
In terms of pharmacy, Ms Chhibber is keen to get more involved in Opioid Dependence Treatment.
‘I’ve done a lot of methadone dosing, which I really like because we get to see the changes and development in patients over the years,’ she said.
This process can take longer in some patients, who may not know how to ask for help.
‘But if they can come to a pharmacy and receive non-judgemental care, that’s something I feel quite passionate about,’ Ms Chhibber said.
Since becoming a mum, she’s also keen to offer paediatric care.
‘Now I've got a lot of personal experience with children and treating them for simple things that you don’t always need a GP for, I'm always encouraging parents to bring their kids to us to see if we can do something,’ she said.
‘They'd rather come into a pharmacy so they can get care earlier than wait for hours in the emergency department.’
Now that Network 10 has just issued the casting call for the next season of MasterChef Australia, Ms Chhibber encourages any other budding pharmacist chefs who are interested in cooking to give it a go.
‘Fortunately I was in a situation where my managers were very supportive and were more excited than I was,’ she said. ‘If you’ve got the right support, good stability, and can afford to do it, it's definitely worth it.’
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[post_excerpt] => Years of calculating exact medication dosages mirror Depinder Chhibber’s meticulous approach in the MasterChef Australia kitchen.
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[post_content] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide further around-the-clock access to pharmacist care and expert advice for the community.
Terry White Chemmart Hallett Cove was officially unveiled as a 24/7 pharmacy – joining three others in Adelaide to offer non-urgent care outside usual hours – by PSA SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Health Minister Chris Picton, and Member for Black Alex Dighton.
‘You never know when you’ll need health advice, medicines or support, Dr Angley said. ‘Having 24-hour access to pharmacist advice is a game changer for so many South Australians … meaning more people can access pharmacist services, from treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, to palliative care medicines to mental health first aid.’
Terry White Chemmart Hallet Cove joins a number of pharmacies around Australia operating around the clock, including:
Australian Pharmacist spoke with three pharmacists from across Australia who provide 24/7 pharmacy care to highlight just how vital this service is for communities.
Jeremy Sparks, Pharmacist in Charge of National Pharmacies Norwood[/caption]
‘We’ve dispensed more than 19,000 prescriptions, facilitating timely access to time-sensitive [medicines] such as antibiotics and analgesics for recently discharged or diagnosed patients, or just helping people who didn't realise they were out of their regular medications until they went to reach for a pill that wasn't there,’ he said.
‘We’ve also fielded around 4,000 calls, with most calls seeking advice on medication interactions, general medicines advice e.g. how to take, when to take, and if they should be worried about adverse effects), and the wide range of minor ailments we see in pharmacies every day, including bites, burns, rashes, gastrointestinal upsets and nausea.’
The highest demand out-of-hours prescriptions include inhalers for respiratory conditions, antibiotics and pain relief.
‘We like to think that providing timely access to medicines and analgesia has helped to prevent infections from progressing, and prevent or treat asthma attacks to reduce the amount of people presenting to EDs for easily preventable causes,’ Mr Sparks said.
‘Just recently we had a new mum discharged from hospital with her baby, and a parent needing antibiotics for a child’s ear infection. These are both situations where prompt access to their prescriptions improved outcomes.’
The team also fields a high volume of patient queries on minor wounds.
‘They can dress these wounds or assess and give recommendations about whether a visit to the hospital is really necessary.’
One of Norwood’s pharmacists encountered one of the strangest nights at the 24/7 pharmacy, where three patients who had all been on a flight from Sydney which ran late came in at separate intervals during the night.
‘The pilot decided to take off quickly from Sydney so they wouldn't miss the Adelaide Curfew, which unfortunately resulted in all their luggage being left behind,’ he said.
‘The first patient came in with eScripts to fill, the second thankfully just needed contact solution and a toothbrush, and the third was an elderly man with his son who needed his medication but had no scripts.’
With a speedy referral to a telehealth service, the Doctor immediately sent through eScripts for the elderly patient’s blood pressure and glaucoma medications.
‘And we were able to get him sorted without any missed doses.’
Lachlan Menouhos, Pharmacist Manager of Chemistworks in Wetherill Park[/caption]
‘Once they know we're open and they can get scripts filled all hours of the night, people who have been discharged from hospital come from all over Sydney – from the city to Campbelltown, Camden and the North Shore,’ he said.
A key service the pharmacy fulfills is an over-the-phone triage service – typically for older patients who need medicines advice or abnormal symptoms.
‘They call back the next day and they say, “thank you for referring me to the ED. It was a stomach ulcer or elevated blood pressure”.’
In terms of foot traffic, families typically benefit from the late-night service.
‘We see a lot of sick children after hours,’ Mr Menouhos said. ‘Often it’s parents who have been working during the day and couldn’t get to the doctor. They will get nappies, formula, and children’s Panadol and Nurofen.’
The after-hours service is greatly valued by the community. In 2023, 553 Chemistworks Wetherill Park customers completed a survey, finding that:
Mohamed Bassuny MPS, former Pharmacist Manager Bendigo UFS After Hours Pharmacy [/caption]
‘We covered a large demographic area, seeing patients as far as 60–70 kilometers away,’ he said. ‘So we decided to extend hours of service for the community, particularly with both Urgent Care Clinics and EDs being functional. You have to have a point of access for medication for these two services.’
As a ‘full scope’ pharmacy, the team prescribes medicines for patients under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, which was recently made permanent.
‘When patients experience a severe UTI, we could provide a consultation, and prescribe and dispense, as well as analgesia, so they could have relief overnight,’ Mr Bassuny said.
‘If the patient went to the ED, they would have to wait long hours and only be able to get their medication dispensed the next day – as there is no pharmacy operating in the hospital overnight.’
Sometimes, the care that late-night pharmacies provide is life saving.
‘I had a patient come in with symptoms of a stroke – including heartburn and a tingling in the left arm – and they didn't know what's going on,’ he said.
After triaging the patient, Mr Bassuny called an ambulance.
‘Often patients push through until the next morning – but this is a critical time and can mean the difference between life and death,’ he said. ‘The patient came at a later time to thank us and said, “If you hadn't done that, the situation would have been much more serious”.’
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[post_content] => In this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, five pharmacists have been awarded prestigious Orders of Australia Medals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their local communities.
PSA congratulated the pharmacists recognised in Monday’s honours list, including:
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[post_content] => Following several incident reports, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued new preoperative precautions linked to these popular therapies.
Last week, the TGA issued an alert over use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs) before procedures involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
This warning extends to all medicines in these classes approved for diabetes and/or chronic weight management, including:
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[post_content] => Some pharmacists have recently pondered the possibility of administering cosmetic injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers, reaching out to PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line for guidance.
‘Now that pharmacists are injecting more medicines, and we have up-skilled to be able to do that, the next question on a lot of pharmacists’ minds is, “what about cosmetic injectables”?’ said Pooja Jadeja MPS from PSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line
‘They want to know whether it’s something they can legally inject and what the regulatory requirements are.’
So can you – and should you? Australian Pharmacist investigates this prickly issue.
Where can pharmacists legally administer Botox?
[caption id="attachment_28631" align="alignright" width="250"] Pooja Jadeja MPS[/caption]
‘Technically, anywhere except New South Wales,’ Ms Jadeja said. ‘But in other jurisdictions, it’s not defined in legislation whether it’s legal or not.’
Botulinum toxins – or Botox – is of course a Schedule 4 medicine. So to be lawful, a prescription would need to first be issued to the patient and dispensed.
What are the administration requirements?
While pharmacists operating outside the ‘Premier State’ could infer that they can legally administer dispensed cosmetic injections, they must question whether it is:
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[post_content] => Years of calculating exact medication dosages mirror Depinder Chhibber’s meticulous approach in the MasterChef kitchen, where every gram and garnish matters under intense pressure.
Depinder Chhibber has had a busy few years since last appearing on season 13 of MasterChef Australia in 2021.
In between appearing as a special guest chef on MasterChef India in 2023 to becoming a mother to two girls – she has still found time to stick to her pharmacy roots.
Ms Chhibber has even changed practice settings, moving from community pharmacy to industry, and onto hospital pharmacy when travelling with her husband for work.
‘The greatest gift I've ever received from my pharmacy degree is being able to get a job anywhere in the world,’ she said. ‘When we travelled around rural Australia, I had a job literally everywhere I went, and I couldn't be more grateful that I could work and help in those communities.’
Last year proved to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding years for Ms Chhibber, who balanced part-time work as a pharmacist, full-time motherhood while launching her supper club Ghar in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Ghar, which translates directly to ‘home’ in Hindi, perfectly captures the vibe Ms Chhibber sought to create with her supper club.
‘The food I’m serving is a sneak peek into every household in India – but elevated,’ she said. ‘Patrons are served individual portions on the same long table. Everyone interacts, because Indian food is all about community, sharing, and eating with your family and friends.’
Now, she is battling it out once again in the kitchen on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win, which brought back 24 standout contestants from previous seasons to compete in advanced challenges, eliminations, and immunity tests for a second chance at the title.
‘Because I wasn't busy enough, I went out and got onto MasterChef again,’ she laughed.
While Ms Chhibber said the MasterChef kitchen has the ‘same energy’ this time around, the stakes have risen.
‘It's very different from the previous season, because we're competing with people who have been in the food industry for many years and the competition is super stiff,’ she said.
Australian Pharmacist sat down with Ms Chhibber to discuss how her years in pharmacy have primed her for the most competitive season of MasterChef yet.
Clinical calm under kitchen pressure
During Pressure Tests, which occur during Masterchef elimination rounds, contestants must replicate a detailed recipe exactly – measuring ingredients, using precise techniques and plating as instructed. They must complete this task within a strict time limit and without any outside references – with accuracy, taste and presentation determining who stays and who goes.
To get through these tough tests, Ms Chhibber draws on her experience in the demanding world of dispensing medicines in a busy pharmacy.
When you’re on national television, the ‘miss one step and you’re out’ dynamic of pressure tests can be highly stressful. So too can dispensing Schedule 8 medicines, when a slight error could be career- or life-ending.
‘When you do a pressure test, you are highly focused. As much as they say you need to do one step at a time, you really need to multitask and move super fast at all times – because if you don't, you're not going to get through the recipe,’ she said.
‘As a pharmacist, you've got to multitask and work around different teams and steps. You're doing so many things at the same time – checking a script, looking over who's coming into your store and what Schedule 3 [medicine] has been handed out.’
Pharmacists are ultimately responsible for what goes on in the pharmacy, much like in a pressure test.
‘You've got a gas stove with three burners going, and at the same time you’ve got something in the oven on the other side. Then, the judges come and have a chat with you,’ Ms Chhibber said. ‘Staying calm under pressure, which I’ve learned over the years as a pharmacist, has really helped me this time around.’
From drug compounds to unexpected ingredients
In a MasterChef Mystery Box Challenge, each contestant is given a sealed box containing a hidden set of ingredients – often chosen by a guest chef. They must create a complete dish using only those ingredients and a limited ‘underbench’ pantry within 75 minutes. Once time’s up, the dishes are presented to the judges, who evaluate them on creativity, technical execution and flavour – with the top performers either earning immunity or other advantages in subsequent rounds.
Contestants will face entirely unknown ingredients in the mystery box, so their palate and resourcefulness really come into play, Ms Chhibber said.
‘That's very similar to reading medicine labels, because there'll be some ingredients that we won't know or have never experienced. But then you consult formulary references or search for similar compounds, or a particular drug class or excipient,’ she said. ‘You rely back on the basics to get you through that particular challenge.’
Counselling skills at the judging table
When a dish is ready for tasting, contestants present it to the judges – providing a brief summary that includes the dish’s name, highlights key ingredients and techniques, and describes the intended flavours.
With Ms Chhibber presenting a lot of Indian dishes, she distills her explanation just as she would when counselling a patient on a medication’s mechanism and effects.
‘We talk about medical jargon in pharmacy, but there’s a lot of food-related jargon as well,’ she said. ‘So I’ve had to simplify things for the judges in terms of ingredients or techniques. They’ve got it every time, so I must be doing something right.’
Balancing pharmacy passion with culinary ambitions
Although some may assume Ms Chhibber plans to pursue cooking full-time, she will always work as a pharmacist – even if only a couple of days a week.
‘I worked really hard to get to the point where I was where I am now, and it’s very hard to let that go,’ she said.
She is keen, however, to offer cooking ‘masterclasses’, much like the training session she presented while working in industry as a Senior Medical Affairs associate
‘Towards the end of my time in the pharmaceutical industry, I was presenting at a lot of conferences and running training sessions for our representatives that were working out on the field,’ Ms Chhibber said.
‘I think that would really resonate with running cooking classes, because it’s explaining new things to people and teaching them from the very bottom to develop those skills.’
Much like the breakfast mixer she co-hosted with PSA’s very own Chris Campbell on the ‘11 secret ingredients to the evolving role of pharmacists’ at PSA22, Ms Chhibber plans to make it fun.
‘That was one of the best things I've ever done which I would love to do again. I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t paying attention or having a good time,’ she said. ‘It’s good to spice things up to keep it interesting.’
New pharmacy horizons
In terms of pharmacy, Ms Chhibber is keen to get more involved in Opioid Dependence Treatment.
‘I’ve done a lot of methadone dosing, which I really like because we get to see the changes and development in patients over the years,’ she said.
This process can take longer in some patients, who may not know how to ask for help.
‘But if they can come to a pharmacy and receive non-judgemental care, that’s something I feel quite passionate about,’ Ms Chhibber said.
Since becoming a mum, she’s also keen to offer paediatric care.
‘Now I've got a lot of personal experience with children and treating them for simple things that you don’t always need a GP for, I'm always encouraging parents to bring their kids to us to see if we can do something,’ she said.
‘They'd rather come into a pharmacy so they can get care earlier than wait for hours in the emergency department.’
Now that Network 10 has just issued the casting call for the next season of MasterChef Australia, Ms Chhibber encourages any other budding pharmacist chefs who are interested in cooking to give it a go.
‘Fortunately I was in a situation where my managers were very supportive and were more excited than I was,’ she said. ‘If you’ve got the right support, good stability, and can afford to do it, it's definitely worth it.’
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[post_content] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide further around-the-clock access to pharmacist care and expert advice for the community.
Terry White Chemmart Hallett Cove was officially unveiled as a 24/7 pharmacy – joining three others in Adelaide to offer non-urgent care outside usual hours – by PSA SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Health Minister Chris Picton, and Member for Black Alex Dighton.
‘You never know when you’ll need health advice, medicines or support, Dr Angley said. ‘Having 24-hour access to pharmacist advice is a game changer for so many South Australians … meaning more people can access pharmacist services, from treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, to palliative care medicines to mental health first aid.’
Terry White Chemmart Hallet Cove joins a number of pharmacies around Australia operating around the clock, including:
Australian Pharmacist spoke with three pharmacists from across Australia who provide 24/7 pharmacy care to highlight just how vital this service is for communities.
Jeremy Sparks, Pharmacist in Charge of National Pharmacies Norwood[/caption]
‘We’ve dispensed more than 19,000 prescriptions, facilitating timely access to time-sensitive [medicines] such as antibiotics and analgesics for recently discharged or diagnosed patients, or just helping people who didn't realise they were out of their regular medications until they went to reach for a pill that wasn't there,’ he said.
‘We’ve also fielded around 4,000 calls, with most calls seeking advice on medication interactions, general medicines advice e.g. how to take, when to take, and if they should be worried about adverse effects), and the wide range of minor ailments we see in pharmacies every day, including bites, burns, rashes, gastrointestinal upsets and nausea.’
The highest demand out-of-hours prescriptions include inhalers for respiratory conditions, antibiotics and pain relief.
‘We like to think that providing timely access to medicines and analgesia has helped to prevent infections from progressing, and prevent or treat asthma attacks to reduce the amount of people presenting to EDs for easily preventable causes,’ Mr Sparks said.
‘Just recently we had a new mum discharged from hospital with her baby, and a parent needing antibiotics for a child’s ear infection. These are both situations where prompt access to their prescriptions improved outcomes.’
The team also fields a high volume of patient queries on minor wounds.
‘They can dress these wounds or assess and give recommendations about whether a visit to the hospital is really necessary.’
One of Norwood’s pharmacists encountered one of the strangest nights at the 24/7 pharmacy, where three patients who had all been on a flight from Sydney which ran late came in at separate intervals during the night.
‘The pilot decided to take off quickly from Sydney so they wouldn't miss the Adelaide Curfew, which unfortunately resulted in all their luggage being left behind,’ he said.
‘The first patient came in with eScripts to fill, the second thankfully just needed contact solution and a toothbrush, and the third was an elderly man with his son who needed his medication but had no scripts.’
With a speedy referral to a telehealth service, the Doctor immediately sent through eScripts for the elderly patient’s blood pressure and glaucoma medications.
‘And we were able to get him sorted without any missed doses.’
Lachlan Menouhos, Pharmacist Manager of Chemistworks in Wetherill Park[/caption]
‘Once they know we're open and they can get scripts filled all hours of the night, people who have been discharged from hospital come from all over Sydney – from the city to Campbelltown, Camden and the North Shore,’ he said.
A key service the pharmacy fulfills is an over-the-phone triage service – typically for older patients who need medicines advice or abnormal symptoms.
‘They call back the next day and they say, “thank you for referring me to the ED. It was a stomach ulcer or elevated blood pressure”.’
In terms of foot traffic, families typically benefit from the late-night service.
‘We see a lot of sick children after hours,’ Mr Menouhos said. ‘Often it’s parents who have been working during the day and couldn’t get to the doctor. They will get nappies, formula, and children’s Panadol and Nurofen.’
The after-hours service is greatly valued by the community. In 2023, 553 Chemistworks Wetherill Park customers completed a survey, finding that:
Mohamed Bassuny MPS, former Pharmacist Manager Bendigo UFS After Hours Pharmacy [/caption]
‘We covered a large demographic area, seeing patients as far as 60–70 kilometers away,’ he said. ‘So we decided to extend hours of service for the community, particularly with both Urgent Care Clinics and EDs being functional. You have to have a point of access for medication for these two services.’
As a ‘full scope’ pharmacy, the team prescribes medicines for patients under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, which was recently made permanent.
‘When patients experience a severe UTI, we could provide a consultation, and prescribe and dispense, as well as analgesia, so they could have relief overnight,’ Mr Bassuny said.
‘If the patient went to the ED, they would have to wait long hours and only be able to get their medication dispensed the next day – as there is no pharmacy operating in the hospital overnight.’
Sometimes, the care that late-night pharmacies provide is life saving.
‘I had a patient come in with symptoms of a stroke – including heartburn and a tingling in the left arm – and they didn't know what's going on,’ he said.
After triaging the patient, Mr Bassuny called an ambulance.
‘Often patients push through until the next morning – but this is a critical time and can mean the difference between life and death,’ he said. ‘The patient came at a later time to thank us and said, “If you hadn't done that, the situation would have been much more serious”.’
[post_title] => How 24/7 pharmacies help to fill after-hours health gaps
[post_excerpt] => On 1 June 2025, Adelaide’s fourth 24/7 pharmacy opened to provide around-the-clock access to pharmacist care for the community.
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Australian Pharmacist is the official journal for Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
