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[post_content] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing healthcare needs – and it could soon reshape how pharmacists practise for decades to come.
Commissioned by the federal government as part of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice, PSA has engaged the University of Queensland’s Centre for Business and Economics of Health to lead a whole-of-profession workforce forecast.
To kick off the consultation process, two all-day workshops bringing pharmacy leaders together across all settings took place in Brisbane and Melbourne last week, with valuable consumer insights also included.
UQ’s Associate Professor Jean Spinks said the scale of change facing the profession makes this work both necessary and overdue.
‘An updated strategic vision for the profession is required, given there’s been massive change over the last decade – including to the profession, scope of practice and the changing needs of the population,’ she said.
The modelling approach will start with the needs of the population that can be addressed by pharmacists to estimate what the size and composition of the pharmacy workforce should look like.
Pharmacy to become a needs-based workforce
The shift towards a needs-based model marks a fundamental change in how pharmacy workforce planning is approached – placing patient need, rather than service supply, at the centre.
It also demands a broader understanding of where pharmacists can add value across the health system, particularly for priority populations.
‘How do we reach them better, and what does that mean for the required skills and competencies of our workforce?’ A/Prof Spinks asked.
Consultation has already identified a wide range of priority groups who could benefit from improved access to pharmacy services.
Key populations include people living with chronic conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
‘There’s also alcohol and drug services – particularly gaps in methadone and buprenorphine services,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
The discussions have also highlighted growing need among people living with dementia, disability and complex health conditions – and the potential for pharmacists to play a greater role in supporting these groups.
‘We discussed whether we should be more involved with NDIS [National Disability Insurance Scheme] funding channels,’ she said. ‘It’s about how we meet those needs within our existing regulations, structures and funding models – bearing in mind that we've got to think about wherever a medicine is, there should be a pharmacist.’
A profession-wide response to workforce pressure
Expanding scope of practice is placing increasing pressure on pharmacists, particularly balancing dispensing with growing service delivery demands – raising important questions about safety, quality and workforce capacity.
‘Even now with vaccination, how many scripts is it safe to dispense in a day versus how many vaccinations at the same time?’ A/Prof Spinks asked. ‘We haven't really re-examined some of those aspects of both the quality and safety of care as it relates to workforce pressures.’
The modelling therefore takes a whole-of-profession approach, spanning all practice settings and recognising the need for stronger team-based care.
‘We’re working with experts across sectors to ensure we capture hospital, community and aged care settings, and also the role of technicians and assistants,’ she said. ‘You need to be able to have additional hands on deck to support expansion into additional settings.’
For PSA’s Head of Policy and Strategy Chris Campbell FPS, the significance of this work lies in its potential to unify the profession under a shared, forward-looking plan.
‘As a government-commissioned report, it will include policy recommendations, and we hope it helps shape the direction needed to support care delivered by pharmacists wherever medicines are,’ he said.
‘This isn’t just about having the data. We also need a whole-of-workforce plan – something that’s been missing for the profession. And importantly, this isn’t PSA’s plan, it’s the profession’s plan.
‘By global standards Australia does have a really vibrant community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy sector and these are strengths that we need to build on in the future.’
Primary care in focus
One area where workforce reform is expected to have significant impact is primary care, particularly through the expansion of GP pharmacist roles.
Medicines use is rising, complexity is increasing, and so too is the risk of medicines-related harm. There’s also growing pressure on the GP workforce alongside the escalating costs of care through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), said GP pharmacist Brooke Shelly FPS, 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year.
‘As reflected in repeated federal budget submissions from both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association, GPs are actively calling for pharmacists to be part of the team,’ she said.
‘We are asking more of medicines than ever before, yet we still haven’t consistently embedded the workforce best trained to manage them in the very setting where most prescribing occurs, general practice.
‘Where pharmacists are embedded, we are already seeing improvements in quality use of medicines, more appropriate deprescribing, and better continuity of care.’
Despite this, workforce limitations are often driven by system constraints rather than lack of pharmacist interest.
‘We often talk about the workforce being small, but that reflects the constraints of current Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) programs and the system more broadly,’ she said.
‘Unlock a clear, funded pathway for the GP Pharmacist role, and you will see a rapid surge in pharmacists seeking credentialing.’
Distribution also matters; workforce challenges are not just about numbers, but about ensuring pharmacists are embedded where patient need is greatest – particularly in rural and regional communities where these models of care are often essential.
‘Ultimately, the focus now is on building the structures that allow this workforce to be embedded where it can deliver the greatest impact, while continuing to support and strengthen existing programs such as HMRs and RMMRs that remain a critical part of the broader medicines safety framework,’ she said.
Looking ahead
When the plan comes together, Professor Lisa Nissen FPS – Director, and Taylor Family Chair, of the University of Queensland's Centre for the Business and Economics of Health – said it represents a critical opportunity to rethink the role of pharmacists in Australia’s health system.
‘There has not been a structured workforce planning activity in the pharmacy profession since 2009 for the 4th Community Pharmacy Agreement,’ she said. ‘And much of this previous work and modelling also focused on traditional roles for pharmacists in supply chain activities.’
As pharmacists’ roles expand and the pharmacy workforce is increasingly utilised in patient care, a clearer understanding of the future workforce composition and size – including pharmacists, assistants and technicians – will be critical to supporting healthcare needs.
‘This will help form the foundation for PSA and other groups to strategically plan for workforce development,’ Prof Nissen said.
Consultation will continue over the coming months, with PSA maintaining an open submissions process. A series of online focus groups is also scheduled for April, including at least one session dedicated specifically to exploring workforce needs in rural and remote areas
As for the final report, tight timelines for the modelling reflect strong interest in progressing workforce reform.
‘The federal government wants the [model] delivered by 30 June,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
‘They want to move on it quickly – and that’s encouraging.’
[post_title] => How will Australia’s pharmacy workforce respond to megatrends?
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[post_content] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
‘Congratulations to [the] SA/NT award winners, who are advancing patient care in their local communities and beyond,’ said PSA SA/NT President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS.
Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Paul Tait FPS
The PSA SA/NT Branch has named Dr Paul Tait FPS as Pharmacist of the Year 2026, recognising his outstanding leadership in digital health, palliative care, research and integrated care. With more than 30 years of experience spanning hospital practice, research and professional leadership – Dr Tait is widely recognised for strengthening pharmacists’ roles within integrated multidisciplinary care teams.
Contributing to PSA’s education resources and mentoring health professionals across disciplines have enhanced pharmacists’ confidence and impact in complex care environments.
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Stephanie Lee MPS
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Stephanie Lee MPS has been recognised for innovation, expanded scope service delivery and leadership in rural healthcare. As the first community pharmacist in South Australia to administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine, she has significantly improved access to evidence-based treatment for opioid dependence, reducing barriers to care and supporting safer, more dignified patient outcomes.
Ms Lee is also a passionate advocate for community engagement, professional development, and integrated care. Through health education presentations, expanded-scope services including mental health first aid, urinary tract infection management, and oral contraceptive supply – alongside close collaboration with local hospitals – she has strengthened health literacy and care quality across her rural community of Bordertown.
Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Li Ann Ching MPS
Li Ann Ching MPS was recognised as the Intern Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding performance and professionalism throughout her intern year, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient-centred care and expanded pharmacy services.
By delivering a wide range of professional services – including vaccination, heart health checks, travel consultations and hospital-to-home discharge reviews – Ms Ching has excelled in her commitment to patient health, while also supporting the provision of professional services in the pharmacy, such as dose administration aids and MedsChecks.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Grant Kardachi AM FPS
Grant Kardachi AM FPS was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Adelaide, recognised for his extraordinary contribution to the pharmacy profession spanning over 5 decades. As a highly respected leader, advocate, and mentor, Mr Kardachi has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary practice across Australia.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of consultant pharmacy, Mr Kardachi was a key player in the 1996 Community Pharmacy Model Practices Project, leading to the introduction of Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews. These essential healthcare services have transformed medicines stewardship and continue to improve the safe and effective use of medicines for Australians.
Serving more than 30 years of leadership, representing PSA at branch and national levels, including as National President from 2011 to 2015, Mr Kardachi has advanced professional standards, education, and patient-centred care.
PSA Gold Medal – Matthew Weimann
The PSA were also delighted to present Matthew Weimann with the prestigious PSA Gold Medal for his exceptional academic achievement. Following graduation, Mr Weimann is currently completing his intern year at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he is stimulated by his interactions with patients and clinical complexity.
The PSA Gold Medal recognises the student with the highest-grade point average, above 6.25, studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia. The Gold Medal has been awarded in South Australia since 1896 but only when there is a candidate that meets the stringent requirements of this award. Mr Weimann joins this elite group of pharmacists to receive the Gold Medal.
‘These award recipients represent some of the best of the pharmacy profession,’ Prof Angley said. ‘Their innovation, dedication, and passion are essential as we respond to the evolving health needs of our communities.’
[post_title] => PSA recognises pharmacists for excellence in practice
[post_excerpt] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
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[post_content] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely – no matter the location.
As healthcare systems are confronted with growing demand, workforce pressures, and a landscape of technological change, the role of pharmacists continues to expand simultaneously in scope and significance.
PSA WA/ACT State Manager Mayli Foong MPS said that, ‘Pharmacists play a key role in supporting medicines in so many settings including hospital, residential aged care facilities, Home Medicines Reviews, community pharmacy, Aboriginal Health Services, compounding and education.’
‘The expanded scope for pharmacists in Community pharmacy is really exciting. Including expanded scope of prescribing and increased range of vaccinations that pharmacists can deliver.’
Ahead of Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026, with the theme ‘wherever medicines are’, AP spoke to early career pharmacists to explore the breadth of their roles, and the impact they have on patient care and medicines safety every day.
Beyond the pharmacy counter
Rhiannon Price MPS, pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital told AP that there is ‘no such thing as a typical day because everyday is unique.’
‘Just this week I have been actively involved in an acute case of hyperkalaemia (potassium of 7.7)... I collaborated with a physiotherapist to manage pain for a patient post caesarean section up four flights of stairs and liaised with the medical team to safely facilitate a discharge for someone that needed hospital in-home support to safely administer heparin injections,’ said Ms Price, who was awarded 2025 PSA WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.
[caption id="attachment_31621" align="alignright" width="167"]
Rhiannon Price, Pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital.[/caption]
The stakes can be raised further in hospital compounding units, which are a cornerstone of ensuring safe medicines preparation. In these highly controlled environments, specialised medicines are prepared for some of the most vulnerable patients, said Caspar Townsend MPS, who works in Perth Children’s Hospital sterile compounding unit.
‘In the morning, we receive and prepare orders from the wards, and before anything begins, we do a full clean of the unit using multiple disinfectants,’ he said. ‘From then until about 1.00 pm, we’re focused on making those medications. In the afternoon, we move on to total parenteral nutrition bags for paediatric patients. A pharmacist will check them again outside, and then they will get bagged up and delivered to their wards.’
Mr Townsend’s journey into sterile compounding began during his internship, where he found an appreciation for the unique blend of technical skills required and hands-on approach.
‘I’m still testing my knowledge, but I also get to work with my hands, which is fun. It’s both the mental and the practical skills that I quite enjoy,’ Mr Townsend told AP.
[caption id="attachment_31633" align="alignright" width="300"]
Caspar Townsend MPS, Pharmacist at Perth Children's Hospital compounding unit[/caption]
‘Every [medicine] for every patient is going to be different. It’s tailored to them, so there’s a really high margin and risk for error. It’s all about that precision and control – making sure the medication is the right medication, it’s the right dose, it’s been compounded correctly, and [there’s] all those little checks along the way.’
Providing patients with accessible medicines content
While pharmacists operate in highly regulated clinical settings, others have an expanded reach beyond the pharmacy walls into digital spaces.
Social media has become an invaluable tool for enhancing medicines safety and public health awareness through disseminating accessible, digestible short-form content in real time.
Iraq Doali MPS (@clutchestpharmacist), a NSW-based locum pharmacist, has embraced this shift in the media landscape with his Instagram platform, and is actively bridging the gap between patients and reliable healthcare advice.
‘I wanted to reach a wider audience,’ he said. ‘I felt like a lot of the time people were missing out on crucial information because they were in too much of a rush at the pharmacy or the pharmacy was too busy,’ Mr Doali told AP.
Recognising a lack of pharmacist voices online, he saw an opportunity to contribute, ensuring patients can access timely information. ‘I realised there aren’t many pharmacists on Instagram, which is an important tool for trust and improving medicines safety,’ Mr Doali said.
His aim is to impart knowledge to patients where access to advice may be limited. ‘I [also] talk about the struggles of pharmacy, what pharmacists do, stock issues, or law changes concerning the public in pharmacy… I just want to make sure people get the information they need to get, and from a trusted healthcare professional at the same time,’ Mr Doali said.
His content has assisted in improving health literacy in terms of ‘explaining procedures and medical conditions. This helps viewers understand the profession better, expand their knowledge, and even keep them alert on the changes happening in the pharmacy world’.
The immediacy of digital platforms allows pharmacists to respond quickly to emerging issues... ‘With digital spaces and pharmacists educating about medications, you can reach out to the public when you’re anticipating stock shortages… this is something that can be addressed instantly,’ he said.
[caption id="attachment_31619" align="alignright" width="233"]
Iraq Doali, NSW-based locum pharmacist and content creator[/caption]
The leaders of tomorrow
With students mapping out the future landscape of pharmacy, AP spoke with Sebastian Harper, National President at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), about the role of pharmacies as crucial health hubs in rural and remote communities where GP access is limited.
‘The idea that patients can easily present to their GP is not a reality,’ said Mr Harper, who also works as an intern in Mt Isa.
‘Having pharmacists adequately trained to manage acute, everyday conditions and those treated under the Chronic Conditions Management Pilot, has been a blessing in delivering this care for our community.’
Looking ahead, he explained how the next generation of pharmacists is already preparing for a broader scope of practice.
‘It won't be long before we have a significant cohort of ECPs trained to deliver the care that communities across Australia are calling out for,’ Mr Harper said.
He believes this expansion will see pharmacists playing even more critical roles in patient treatment and preventative care. ‘I’m sure pharmacists will become the natural go-to for annual health check-ups, life-long implementation of patients' immunisation schedules, conversations about sexual health, and their pharmacies the inclusive spaces needed for traditionally health-averse demographics,’ Mr Harper said.
During his 3-year tenure on the NAPSA board, Mr Harper has seen pharmacy students committed to retaining their autonomy in a workforce that places increased demands upon young professionals.
‘In the NAPSA 2030 vision launched last year, which provides a framework for the next National President, pharmacy students are now advocating for themselves – calling for paid placements, expansion of scope and a profession that listens to their collective voice.’
Get involved in Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026 by downloading the PSA’s TYPD26 toolkit.
[post_title] => Celebrating pharmacists wherever medicines are
[post_excerpt] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely.
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[post_content] => For some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) is not just delayed, it never happens.
Wollongong-based credentialed pharmacist Esther Hernandez MPS said the people most at risk of medicine-related harm are often the hardest to reach. In her experience, the issue is not a lack of need, but a system that struggles to overcome distance.
When calling to arrange an HMR, Ms Hernandez said the first issue to address is often logistical rather than clinical.
Some patients live significant distances from available providers. Others require additional time and coordination due to disability, mobility issues or complex needs. And for those living outside major centres, distance adds another layer of complexity.
‘It’s not that the service doesn’t exist,’ she said. ‘It’s that the distance between the service and the patient becomes the barrier.’
And for time-critical medicine safety services, this puts patient lives at risk.
Rigid model of care
HMRs are designed to bring medicines expertise into the home. But for patients living further away, or those requiring additional time and coordination, the model can become difficult to deliver – especially as credentialed pharmacists are not reimbursed for travel time.
‘If I’m driving 1 hour each way, that means I can’t see two more patients [in a day],’ Ms Hernandez said.
Ms Hernandez sees patients who would benefit from a review but are difficult to reach under current settings, particularly for follow-up appointments, which she describes as ‘essential’.
Recalling one patient who required only a straightforward change, Ms Hernandez said the follow-up review ‘could have been done via telehealth’.
But this is not an option, with all HMRs and follow-ups conducted after 1 January 2023 required to be face-to-face and no exceptions provided.
In some cases, timely follow-up can prevent serious harm. A patient with hypertension and cognitive impairment stopped taking one medicine after another was added post-HMR, believing it had replaced the original therapy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof,’ Ms Hernandez said.
Patients at risk of being overlooked
Many of the patients who struggle to access HMRs are those living with multiple conditions, disability or limited support.
They may see several prescribers, take numerous medicines and experience ongoing symptoms yet still miss out on a comprehensive review.
‘Without physically reviewing the medication and how they live their life … people just keep adding more medicine,’ Ms Hernandez said.
When there’s no intervention, risks can compound – often leading to deterioration, hospitalisation or loss of independence.
One patient she visited had recently been diagnosed with heart failure and was struggling with persistent coughing and breathlessness despite multiple consultations with GPs and other specialists.
‘She said, “If I had a gun, I would just pull it… I can’t live like this,”’ Ms Hernandez recalled.
The issue, Ms Hernandez found, was not a lack of treatment, but a lack of compliance driven by low health literacy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof.'
Esther Hernandez MPS
‘She was not taking her [diuretic] tablet,’ she said.
Once the treatment was optimised, and some advice given on the importance of compliance, the patient’s symptoms improved rapidly.
‘The cough went. Quality of life improved,’ Ms Hernandez added.
Caps compound disadvantage
These access gaps are compounded by the monthly cap on HMRs, which limit how many patients Ms Hernandez can see regardless of need. She sees them as arbitrary, out of step with other health professions and not reflective of actual workload or demand.
‘It’s just so unfair that we are so restricted,’ Ms Hernandez said, ‘there’s no other profession that has this restriction.’
With demand already exceeding capacity, the cap forces difficult decisions about which patients are prioritised and when care can be delivered. In a system where distance and complexity are already barriers, these limits further constrain the ability to respond to patients at risk, reinforcing the very gaps HMRs are designed to address.
Reform that matches need with value
PSA’s 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission, released 25 February 2026, identifies reform of HMRs as a priority under the First Pharmacy Programs Reform Package.
Recommendation 1.1 calls for removal of monthly provider caps, re-basing and applying annual Wage Cost Index indexation to restore service viability, and improved support for rural delivery and complexity.
For vulnerable patients at risk of medicine-related harm, these changes are not about expanding scope. They are about ensuring the service can reach those who need it most.
Read PSA’s full 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission.
[post_title] => ‘They’re the ones who need it most’: at-risk patients denied HMR access
[post_excerpt] => For some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) is not just delayed, it never happens.
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[post_content] => A systematic review and meta-analysis found little evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders.
Medicinal cannabis is increasingly prescribed in Australia for mental health conditions. Between 2016 and 2022, a third (33.9%) of medicinal cannabis Special Access Scheme Category B applications were for psychiatric conditions. But new evidence suggests the clinical benefits for many of these indications remain uncertain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found no evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.
The findings come amid rapid growth in prescribing. More than one million approvals for medicinal cannabis products have been issued in Australia in recent years, and sales have tripled over the past 4 years.
Lead author Dr Jack Wilson from The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (University of Sydney) said the findings highlight the gap between clinical use and the available evidence.
‘Though our paper didn’t specifically look at this, the routine use of medicinal cannabis could be doing more harm than good by worsening mental health outcomes, for example a greater risk of psychotic symptoms and developing cannabis use disorder, and delaying the use of more effective treatments,’ he said.
Evidence exists for only a small number of conditions
The review analysed 54 randomised controlled trials involving 2,477 participants conducted between 1980 and 2025.
Across these studies, cannabinoids showed some benefit for a limited number of conditions. However, the certainty of evidence was generally low.
Signals of benefit were identified for:
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[post_content] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing healthcare needs – and it could soon reshape how pharmacists practise for decades to come.
Commissioned by the federal government as part of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice, PSA has engaged the University of Queensland’s Centre for Business and Economics of Health to lead a whole-of-profession workforce forecast.
To kick off the consultation process, two all-day workshops bringing pharmacy leaders together across all settings took place in Brisbane and Melbourne last week, with valuable consumer insights also included.
UQ’s Associate Professor Jean Spinks said the scale of change facing the profession makes this work both necessary and overdue.
‘An updated strategic vision for the profession is required, given there’s been massive change over the last decade – including to the profession, scope of practice and the changing needs of the population,’ she said.
The modelling approach will start with the needs of the population that can be addressed by pharmacists to estimate what the size and composition of the pharmacy workforce should look like.
Pharmacy to become a needs-based workforce
The shift towards a needs-based model marks a fundamental change in how pharmacy workforce planning is approached – placing patient need, rather than service supply, at the centre.
It also demands a broader understanding of where pharmacists can add value across the health system, particularly for priority populations.
‘How do we reach them better, and what does that mean for the required skills and competencies of our workforce?’ A/Prof Spinks asked.
Consultation has already identified a wide range of priority groups who could benefit from improved access to pharmacy services.
Key populations include people living with chronic conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
‘There’s also alcohol and drug services – particularly gaps in methadone and buprenorphine services,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
The discussions have also highlighted growing need among people living with dementia, disability and complex health conditions – and the potential for pharmacists to play a greater role in supporting these groups.
‘We discussed whether we should be more involved with NDIS [National Disability Insurance Scheme] funding channels,’ she said. ‘It’s about how we meet those needs within our existing regulations, structures and funding models – bearing in mind that we've got to think about wherever a medicine is, there should be a pharmacist.’
A profession-wide response to workforce pressure
Expanding scope of practice is placing increasing pressure on pharmacists, particularly balancing dispensing with growing service delivery demands – raising important questions about safety, quality and workforce capacity.
‘Even now with vaccination, how many scripts is it safe to dispense in a day versus how many vaccinations at the same time?’ A/Prof Spinks asked. ‘We haven't really re-examined some of those aspects of both the quality and safety of care as it relates to workforce pressures.’
The modelling therefore takes a whole-of-profession approach, spanning all practice settings and recognising the need for stronger team-based care.
‘We’re working with experts across sectors to ensure we capture hospital, community and aged care settings, and also the role of technicians and assistants,’ she said. ‘You need to be able to have additional hands on deck to support expansion into additional settings.’
For PSA’s Head of Policy and Strategy Chris Campbell FPS, the significance of this work lies in its potential to unify the profession under a shared, forward-looking plan.
‘As a government-commissioned report, it will include policy recommendations, and we hope it helps shape the direction needed to support care delivered by pharmacists wherever medicines are,’ he said.
‘This isn’t just about having the data. We also need a whole-of-workforce plan – something that’s been missing for the profession. And importantly, this isn’t PSA’s plan, it’s the profession’s plan.
‘By global standards Australia does have a really vibrant community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy sector and these are strengths that we need to build on in the future.’
Primary care in focus
One area where workforce reform is expected to have significant impact is primary care, particularly through the expansion of GP pharmacist roles.
Medicines use is rising, complexity is increasing, and so too is the risk of medicines-related harm. There’s also growing pressure on the GP workforce alongside the escalating costs of care through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), said GP pharmacist Brooke Shelly FPS, 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year.
‘As reflected in repeated federal budget submissions from both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association, GPs are actively calling for pharmacists to be part of the team,’ she said.
‘We are asking more of medicines than ever before, yet we still haven’t consistently embedded the workforce best trained to manage them in the very setting where most prescribing occurs, general practice.
‘Where pharmacists are embedded, we are already seeing improvements in quality use of medicines, more appropriate deprescribing, and better continuity of care.’
Despite this, workforce limitations are often driven by system constraints rather than lack of pharmacist interest.
‘We often talk about the workforce being small, but that reflects the constraints of current Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) programs and the system more broadly,’ she said.
‘Unlock a clear, funded pathway for the GP Pharmacist role, and you will see a rapid surge in pharmacists seeking credentialing.’
Distribution also matters; workforce challenges are not just about numbers, but about ensuring pharmacists are embedded where patient need is greatest – particularly in rural and regional communities where these models of care are often essential.
‘Ultimately, the focus now is on building the structures that allow this workforce to be embedded where it can deliver the greatest impact, while continuing to support and strengthen existing programs such as HMRs and RMMRs that remain a critical part of the broader medicines safety framework,’ she said.
Looking ahead
When the plan comes together, Professor Lisa Nissen FPS – Director, and Taylor Family Chair, of the University of Queensland's Centre for the Business and Economics of Health – said it represents a critical opportunity to rethink the role of pharmacists in Australia’s health system.
‘There has not been a structured workforce planning activity in the pharmacy profession since 2009 for the 4th Community Pharmacy Agreement,’ she said. ‘And much of this previous work and modelling also focused on traditional roles for pharmacists in supply chain activities.’
As pharmacists’ roles expand and the pharmacy workforce is increasingly utilised in patient care, a clearer understanding of the future workforce composition and size – including pharmacists, assistants and technicians – will be critical to supporting healthcare needs.
‘This will help form the foundation for PSA and other groups to strategically plan for workforce development,’ Prof Nissen said.
Consultation will continue over the coming months, with PSA maintaining an open submissions process. A series of online focus groups is also scheduled for April, including at least one session dedicated specifically to exploring workforce needs in rural and remote areas
As for the final report, tight timelines for the modelling reflect strong interest in progressing workforce reform.
‘The federal government wants the [model] delivered by 30 June,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
‘They want to move on it quickly – and that’s encouraging.’
[post_title] => How will Australia’s pharmacy workforce respond to megatrends?
[post_excerpt] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing needs.
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[post_content] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
‘Congratulations to [the] SA/NT award winners, who are advancing patient care in their local communities and beyond,’ said PSA SA/NT President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS.
Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Paul Tait FPS
The PSA SA/NT Branch has named Dr Paul Tait FPS as Pharmacist of the Year 2026, recognising his outstanding leadership in digital health, palliative care, research and integrated care. With more than 30 years of experience spanning hospital practice, research and professional leadership – Dr Tait is widely recognised for strengthening pharmacists’ roles within integrated multidisciplinary care teams.
Contributing to PSA’s education resources and mentoring health professionals across disciplines have enhanced pharmacists’ confidence and impact in complex care environments.
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Stephanie Lee MPS
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Stephanie Lee MPS has been recognised for innovation, expanded scope service delivery and leadership in rural healthcare. As the first community pharmacist in South Australia to administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine, she has significantly improved access to evidence-based treatment for opioid dependence, reducing barriers to care and supporting safer, more dignified patient outcomes.
Ms Lee is also a passionate advocate for community engagement, professional development, and integrated care. Through health education presentations, expanded-scope services including mental health first aid, urinary tract infection management, and oral contraceptive supply – alongside close collaboration with local hospitals – she has strengthened health literacy and care quality across her rural community of Bordertown.
Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Li Ann Ching MPS
Li Ann Ching MPS was recognised as the Intern Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding performance and professionalism throughout her intern year, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient-centred care and expanded pharmacy services.
By delivering a wide range of professional services – including vaccination, heart health checks, travel consultations and hospital-to-home discharge reviews – Ms Ching has excelled in her commitment to patient health, while also supporting the provision of professional services in the pharmacy, such as dose administration aids and MedsChecks.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Grant Kardachi AM FPS
Grant Kardachi AM FPS was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Adelaide, recognised for his extraordinary contribution to the pharmacy profession spanning over 5 decades. As a highly respected leader, advocate, and mentor, Mr Kardachi has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary practice across Australia.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of consultant pharmacy, Mr Kardachi was a key player in the 1996 Community Pharmacy Model Practices Project, leading to the introduction of Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews. These essential healthcare services have transformed medicines stewardship and continue to improve the safe and effective use of medicines for Australians.
Serving more than 30 years of leadership, representing PSA at branch and national levels, including as National President from 2011 to 2015, Mr Kardachi has advanced professional standards, education, and patient-centred care.
PSA Gold Medal – Matthew Weimann
The PSA were also delighted to present Matthew Weimann with the prestigious PSA Gold Medal for his exceptional academic achievement. Following graduation, Mr Weimann is currently completing his intern year at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he is stimulated by his interactions with patients and clinical complexity.
The PSA Gold Medal recognises the student with the highest-grade point average, above 6.25, studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia. The Gold Medal has been awarded in South Australia since 1896 but only when there is a candidate that meets the stringent requirements of this award. Mr Weimann joins this elite group of pharmacists to receive the Gold Medal.
‘These award recipients represent some of the best of the pharmacy profession,’ Prof Angley said. ‘Their innovation, dedication, and passion are essential as we respond to the evolving health needs of our communities.’
[post_title] => PSA recognises pharmacists for excellence in practice
[post_excerpt] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
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[post_content] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely – no matter the location.
As healthcare systems are confronted with growing demand, workforce pressures, and a landscape of technological change, the role of pharmacists continues to expand simultaneously in scope and significance.
PSA WA/ACT State Manager Mayli Foong MPS said that, ‘Pharmacists play a key role in supporting medicines in so many settings including hospital, residential aged care facilities, Home Medicines Reviews, community pharmacy, Aboriginal Health Services, compounding and education.’
‘The expanded scope for pharmacists in Community pharmacy is really exciting. Including expanded scope of prescribing and increased range of vaccinations that pharmacists can deliver.’
Ahead of Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026, with the theme ‘wherever medicines are’, AP spoke to early career pharmacists to explore the breadth of their roles, and the impact they have on patient care and medicines safety every day.
Beyond the pharmacy counter
Rhiannon Price MPS, pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital told AP that there is ‘no such thing as a typical day because everyday is unique.’
‘Just this week I have been actively involved in an acute case of hyperkalaemia (potassium of 7.7)... I collaborated with a physiotherapist to manage pain for a patient post caesarean section up four flights of stairs and liaised with the medical team to safely facilitate a discharge for someone that needed hospital in-home support to safely administer heparin injections,’ said Ms Price, who was awarded 2025 PSA WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.
[caption id="attachment_31621" align="alignright" width="167"] Rhiannon Price, Pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital.[/caption]
The stakes can be raised further in hospital compounding units, which are a cornerstone of ensuring safe medicines preparation. In these highly controlled environments, specialised medicines are prepared for some of the most vulnerable patients, said Caspar Townsend MPS, who works in Perth Children’s Hospital sterile compounding unit.
‘In the morning, we receive and prepare orders from the wards, and before anything begins, we do a full clean of the unit using multiple disinfectants,’ he said. ‘From then until about 1.00 pm, we’re focused on making those medications. In the afternoon, we move on to total parenteral nutrition bags for paediatric patients. A pharmacist will check them again outside, and then they will get bagged up and delivered to their wards.’
Mr Townsend’s journey into sterile compounding began during his internship, where he found an appreciation for the unique blend of technical skills required and hands-on approach.
‘I’m still testing my knowledge, but I also get to work with my hands, which is fun. It’s both the mental and the practical skills that I quite enjoy,’ Mr Townsend told AP.
[caption id="attachment_31633" align="alignright" width="300"] Caspar Townsend MPS, Pharmacist at Perth Children's Hospital compounding unit[/caption]
‘Every [medicine] for every patient is going to be different. It’s tailored to them, so there’s a really high margin and risk for error. It’s all about that precision and control – making sure the medication is the right medication, it’s the right dose, it’s been compounded correctly, and [there’s] all those little checks along the way.’
Providing patients with accessible medicines content
While pharmacists operate in highly regulated clinical settings, others have an expanded reach beyond the pharmacy walls into digital spaces.
Social media has become an invaluable tool for enhancing medicines safety and public health awareness through disseminating accessible, digestible short-form content in real time.
Iraq Doali MPS (@clutchestpharmacist), a NSW-based locum pharmacist, has embraced this shift in the media landscape with his Instagram platform, and is actively bridging the gap between patients and reliable healthcare advice.
‘I wanted to reach a wider audience,’ he said. ‘I felt like a lot of the time people were missing out on crucial information because they were in too much of a rush at the pharmacy or the pharmacy was too busy,’ Mr Doali told AP.
Recognising a lack of pharmacist voices online, he saw an opportunity to contribute, ensuring patients can access timely information. ‘I realised there aren’t many pharmacists on Instagram, which is an important tool for trust and improving medicines safety,’ Mr Doali said.
His aim is to impart knowledge to patients where access to advice may be limited. ‘I [also] talk about the struggles of pharmacy, what pharmacists do, stock issues, or law changes concerning the public in pharmacy… I just want to make sure people get the information they need to get, and from a trusted healthcare professional at the same time,’ Mr Doali said.
His content has assisted in improving health literacy in terms of ‘explaining procedures and medical conditions. This helps viewers understand the profession better, expand their knowledge, and even keep them alert on the changes happening in the pharmacy world’.
The immediacy of digital platforms allows pharmacists to respond quickly to emerging issues... ‘With digital spaces and pharmacists educating about medications, you can reach out to the public when you’re anticipating stock shortages… this is something that can be addressed instantly,’ he said.
[caption id="attachment_31619" align="alignright" width="233"] Iraq Doali, NSW-based locum pharmacist and content creator[/caption]
The leaders of tomorrow
With students mapping out the future landscape of pharmacy, AP spoke with Sebastian Harper, National President at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), about the role of pharmacies as crucial health hubs in rural and remote communities where GP access is limited.
‘The idea that patients can easily present to their GP is not a reality,’ said Mr Harper, who also works as an intern in Mt Isa.
‘Having pharmacists adequately trained to manage acute, everyday conditions and those treated under the Chronic Conditions Management Pilot, has been a blessing in delivering this care for our community.’
Looking ahead, he explained how the next generation of pharmacists is already preparing for a broader scope of practice.
‘It won't be long before we have a significant cohort of ECPs trained to deliver the care that communities across Australia are calling out for,’ Mr Harper said.
He believes this expansion will see pharmacists playing even more critical roles in patient treatment and preventative care. ‘I’m sure pharmacists will become the natural go-to for annual health check-ups, life-long implementation of patients' immunisation schedules, conversations about sexual health, and their pharmacies the inclusive spaces needed for traditionally health-averse demographics,’ Mr Harper said.
During his 3-year tenure on the NAPSA board, Mr Harper has seen pharmacy students committed to retaining their autonomy in a workforce that places increased demands upon young professionals.
‘In the NAPSA 2030 vision launched last year, which provides a framework for the next National President, pharmacy students are now advocating for themselves – calling for paid placements, expansion of scope and a profession that listens to their collective voice.’
Get involved in Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026 by downloading the PSA’s TYPD26 toolkit.
[post_title] => Celebrating pharmacists wherever medicines are
[post_excerpt] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely.
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[post_content] => For some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) is not just delayed, it never happens.
Wollongong-based credentialed pharmacist Esther Hernandez MPS said the people most at risk of medicine-related harm are often the hardest to reach. In her experience, the issue is not a lack of need, but a system that struggles to overcome distance.
When calling to arrange an HMR, Ms Hernandez said the first issue to address is often logistical rather than clinical.
Some patients live significant distances from available providers. Others require additional time and coordination due to disability, mobility issues or complex needs. And for those living outside major centres, distance adds another layer of complexity.
‘It’s not that the service doesn’t exist,’ she said. ‘It’s that the distance between the service and the patient becomes the barrier.’
And for time-critical medicine safety services, this puts patient lives at risk.
Rigid model of care
HMRs are designed to bring medicines expertise into the home. But for patients living further away, or those requiring additional time and coordination, the model can become difficult to deliver – especially as credentialed pharmacists are not reimbursed for travel time.
‘If I’m driving 1 hour each way, that means I can’t see two more patients [in a day],’ Ms Hernandez said.
Ms Hernandez sees patients who would benefit from a review but are difficult to reach under current settings, particularly for follow-up appointments, which she describes as ‘essential’.
Recalling one patient who required only a straightforward change, Ms Hernandez said the follow-up review ‘could have been done via telehealth’.
But this is not an option, with all HMRs and follow-ups conducted after 1 January 2023 required to be face-to-face and no exceptions provided.
In some cases, timely follow-up can prevent serious harm. A patient with hypertension and cognitive impairment stopped taking one medicine after another was added post-HMR, believing it had replaced the original therapy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof,’ Ms Hernandez said.
Patients at risk of being overlooked
Many of the patients who struggle to access HMRs are those living with multiple conditions, disability or limited support.
They may see several prescribers, take numerous medicines and experience ongoing symptoms yet still miss out on a comprehensive review.
‘Without physically reviewing the medication and how they live their life … people just keep adding more medicine,’ Ms Hernandez said.
When there’s no intervention, risks can compound – often leading to deterioration, hospitalisation or loss of independence.
One patient she visited had recently been diagnosed with heart failure and was struggling with persistent coughing and breathlessness despite multiple consultations with GPs and other specialists.
‘She said, “If I had a gun, I would just pull it… I can’t live like this,”’ Ms Hernandez recalled.
The issue, Ms Hernandez found, was not a lack of treatment, but a lack of compliance driven by low health literacy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof.'
Esther Hernandez MPS
‘She was not taking her [diuretic] tablet,’ she said.
Once the treatment was optimised, and some advice given on the importance of compliance, the patient’s symptoms improved rapidly.
‘The cough went. Quality of life improved,’ Ms Hernandez added.
Caps compound disadvantage
These access gaps are compounded by the monthly cap on HMRs, which limit how many patients Ms Hernandez can see regardless of need. She sees them as arbitrary, out of step with other health professions and not reflective of actual workload or demand.
‘It’s just so unfair that we are so restricted,’ Ms Hernandez said, ‘there’s no other profession that has this restriction.’
With demand already exceeding capacity, the cap forces difficult decisions about which patients are prioritised and when care can be delivered. In a system where distance and complexity are already barriers, these limits further constrain the ability to respond to patients at risk, reinforcing the very gaps HMRs are designed to address.
Reform that matches need with value
PSA’s 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission, released 25 February 2026, identifies reform of HMRs as a priority under the First Pharmacy Programs Reform Package.
Recommendation 1.1 calls for removal of monthly provider caps, re-basing and applying annual Wage Cost Index indexation to restore service viability, and improved support for rural delivery and complexity.
For vulnerable patients at risk of medicine-related harm, these changes are not about expanding scope. They are about ensuring the service can reach those who need it most.
Read PSA’s full 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission.
[post_title] => ‘They’re the ones who need it most’: at-risk patients denied HMR access
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[post_content] => A systematic review and meta-analysis found little evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders.
Medicinal cannabis is increasingly prescribed in Australia for mental health conditions. Between 2016 and 2022, a third (33.9%) of medicinal cannabis Special Access Scheme Category B applications were for psychiatric conditions. But new evidence suggests the clinical benefits for many of these indications remain uncertain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found no evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.
The findings come amid rapid growth in prescribing. More than one million approvals for medicinal cannabis products have been issued in Australia in recent years, and sales have tripled over the past 4 years.
Lead author Dr Jack Wilson from The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (University of Sydney) said the findings highlight the gap between clinical use and the available evidence.
‘Though our paper didn’t specifically look at this, the routine use of medicinal cannabis could be doing more harm than good by worsening mental health outcomes, for example a greater risk of psychotic symptoms and developing cannabis use disorder, and delaying the use of more effective treatments,’ he said.
Evidence exists for only a small number of conditions
The review analysed 54 randomised controlled trials involving 2,477 participants conducted between 1980 and 2025.
Across these studies, cannabinoids showed some benefit for a limited number of conditions. However, the certainty of evidence was generally low.
Signals of benefit were identified for:
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[post_content] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing healthcare needs – and it could soon reshape how pharmacists practise for decades to come.
Commissioned by the federal government as part of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice, PSA has engaged the University of Queensland’s Centre for Business and Economics of Health to lead a whole-of-profession workforce forecast.
To kick off the consultation process, two all-day workshops bringing pharmacy leaders together across all settings took place in Brisbane and Melbourne last week, with valuable consumer insights also included.
UQ’s Associate Professor Jean Spinks said the scale of change facing the profession makes this work both necessary and overdue.
‘An updated strategic vision for the profession is required, given there’s been massive change over the last decade – including to the profession, scope of practice and the changing needs of the population,’ she said.
The modelling approach will start with the needs of the population that can be addressed by pharmacists to estimate what the size and composition of the pharmacy workforce should look like.
Pharmacy to become a needs-based workforce
The shift towards a needs-based model marks a fundamental change in how pharmacy workforce planning is approached – placing patient need, rather than service supply, at the centre.
It also demands a broader understanding of where pharmacists can add value across the health system, particularly for priority populations.
‘How do we reach them better, and what does that mean for the required skills and competencies of our workforce?’ A/Prof Spinks asked.
Consultation has already identified a wide range of priority groups who could benefit from improved access to pharmacy services.
Key populations include people living with chronic conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
‘There’s also alcohol and drug services – particularly gaps in methadone and buprenorphine services,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
The discussions have also highlighted growing need among people living with dementia, disability and complex health conditions – and the potential for pharmacists to play a greater role in supporting these groups.
‘We discussed whether we should be more involved with NDIS [National Disability Insurance Scheme] funding channels,’ she said. ‘It’s about how we meet those needs within our existing regulations, structures and funding models – bearing in mind that we've got to think about wherever a medicine is, there should be a pharmacist.’
A profession-wide response to workforce pressure
Expanding scope of practice is placing increasing pressure on pharmacists, particularly balancing dispensing with growing service delivery demands – raising important questions about safety, quality and workforce capacity.
‘Even now with vaccination, how many scripts is it safe to dispense in a day versus how many vaccinations at the same time?’ A/Prof Spinks asked. ‘We haven't really re-examined some of those aspects of both the quality and safety of care as it relates to workforce pressures.’
The modelling therefore takes a whole-of-profession approach, spanning all practice settings and recognising the need for stronger team-based care.
‘We’re working with experts across sectors to ensure we capture hospital, community and aged care settings, and also the role of technicians and assistants,’ she said. ‘You need to be able to have additional hands on deck to support expansion into additional settings.’
For PSA’s Head of Policy and Strategy Chris Campbell FPS, the significance of this work lies in its potential to unify the profession under a shared, forward-looking plan.
‘As a government-commissioned report, it will include policy recommendations, and we hope it helps shape the direction needed to support care delivered by pharmacists wherever medicines are,’ he said.
‘This isn’t just about having the data. We also need a whole-of-workforce plan – something that’s been missing for the profession. And importantly, this isn’t PSA’s plan, it’s the profession’s plan.
‘By global standards Australia does have a really vibrant community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy sector and these are strengths that we need to build on in the future.’
Primary care in focus
One area where workforce reform is expected to have significant impact is primary care, particularly through the expansion of GP pharmacist roles.
Medicines use is rising, complexity is increasing, and so too is the risk of medicines-related harm. There’s also growing pressure on the GP workforce alongside the escalating costs of care through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), said GP pharmacist Brooke Shelly FPS, 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year.
‘As reflected in repeated federal budget submissions from both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association, GPs are actively calling for pharmacists to be part of the team,’ she said.
‘We are asking more of medicines than ever before, yet we still haven’t consistently embedded the workforce best trained to manage them in the very setting where most prescribing occurs, general practice.
‘Where pharmacists are embedded, we are already seeing improvements in quality use of medicines, more appropriate deprescribing, and better continuity of care.’
Despite this, workforce limitations are often driven by system constraints rather than lack of pharmacist interest.
‘We often talk about the workforce being small, but that reflects the constraints of current Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) programs and the system more broadly,’ she said.
‘Unlock a clear, funded pathway for the GP Pharmacist role, and you will see a rapid surge in pharmacists seeking credentialing.’
Distribution also matters; workforce challenges are not just about numbers, but about ensuring pharmacists are embedded where patient need is greatest – particularly in rural and regional communities where these models of care are often essential.
‘Ultimately, the focus now is on building the structures that allow this workforce to be embedded where it can deliver the greatest impact, while continuing to support and strengthen existing programs such as HMRs and RMMRs that remain a critical part of the broader medicines safety framework,’ she said.
Looking ahead
When the plan comes together, Professor Lisa Nissen FPS – Director, and Taylor Family Chair, of the University of Queensland's Centre for the Business and Economics of Health – said it represents a critical opportunity to rethink the role of pharmacists in Australia’s health system.
‘There has not been a structured workforce planning activity in the pharmacy profession since 2009 for the 4th Community Pharmacy Agreement,’ she said. ‘And much of this previous work and modelling also focused on traditional roles for pharmacists in supply chain activities.’
As pharmacists’ roles expand and the pharmacy workforce is increasingly utilised in patient care, a clearer understanding of the future workforce composition and size – including pharmacists, assistants and technicians – will be critical to supporting healthcare needs.
‘This will help form the foundation for PSA and other groups to strategically plan for workforce development,’ Prof Nissen said.
Consultation will continue over the coming months, with PSA maintaining an open submissions process. A series of online focus groups is also scheduled for April, including at least one session dedicated specifically to exploring workforce needs in rural and remote areas
As for the final report, tight timelines for the modelling reflect strong interest in progressing workforce reform.
‘The federal government wants the [model] delivered by 30 June,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
‘They want to move on it quickly – and that’s encouraging.’
[post_title] => How will Australia’s pharmacy workforce respond to megatrends?
[post_excerpt] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing needs.
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[post_content] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
‘Congratulations to [the] SA/NT award winners, who are advancing patient care in their local communities and beyond,’ said PSA SA/NT President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS.
Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Paul Tait FPS
The PSA SA/NT Branch has named Dr Paul Tait FPS as Pharmacist of the Year 2026, recognising his outstanding leadership in digital health, palliative care, research and integrated care. With more than 30 years of experience spanning hospital practice, research and professional leadership – Dr Tait is widely recognised for strengthening pharmacists’ roles within integrated multidisciplinary care teams.
Contributing to PSA’s education resources and mentoring health professionals across disciplines have enhanced pharmacists’ confidence and impact in complex care environments.
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Stephanie Lee MPS
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Stephanie Lee MPS has been recognised for innovation, expanded scope service delivery and leadership in rural healthcare. As the first community pharmacist in South Australia to administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine, she has significantly improved access to evidence-based treatment for opioid dependence, reducing barriers to care and supporting safer, more dignified patient outcomes.
Ms Lee is also a passionate advocate for community engagement, professional development, and integrated care. Through health education presentations, expanded-scope services including mental health first aid, urinary tract infection management, and oral contraceptive supply – alongside close collaboration with local hospitals – she has strengthened health literacy and care quality across her rural community of Bordertown.
Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Li Ann Ching MPS
Li Ann Ching MPS was recognised as the Intern Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding performance and professionalism throughout her intern year, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient-centred care and expanded pharmacy services.
By delivering a wide range of professional services – including vaccination, heart health checks, travel consultations and hospital-to-home discharge reviews – Ms Ching has excelled in her commitment to patient health, while also supporting the provision of professional services in the pharmacy, such as dose administration aids and MedsChecks.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Grant Kardachi AM FPS
Grant Kardachi AM FPS was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Adelaide, recognised for his extraordinary contribution to the pharmacy profession spanning over 5 decades. As a highly respected leader, advocate, and mentor, Mr Kardachi has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary practice across Australia.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of consultant pharmacy, Mr Kardachi was a key player in the 1996 Community Pharmacy Model Practices Project, leading to the introduction of Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews. These essential healthcare services have transformed medicines stewardship and continue to improve the safe and effective use of medicines for Australians.
Serving more than 30 years of leadership, representing PSA at branch and national levels, including as National President from 2011 to 2015, Mr Kardachi has advanced professional standards, education, and patient-centred care.
PSA Gold Medal – Matthew Weimann
The PSA were also delighted to present Matthew Weimann with the prestigious PSA Gold Medal for his exceptional academic achievement. Following graduation, Mr Weimann is currently completing his intern year at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he is stimulated by his interactions with patients and clinical complexity.
The PSA Gold Medal recognises the student with the highest-grade point average, above 6.25, studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia. The Gold Medal has been awarded in South Australia since 1896 but only when there is a candidate that meets the stringent requirements of this award. Mr Weimann joins this elite group of pharmacists to receive the Gold Medal.
‘These award recipients represent some of the best of the pharmacy profession,’ Prof Angley said. ‘Their innovation, dedication, and passion are essential as we respond to the evolving health needs of our communities.’
[post_title] => PSA recognises pharmacists for excellence in practice
[post_excerpt] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
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[post_content] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely – no matter the location.
As healthcare systems are confronted with growing demand, workforce pressures, and a landscape of technological change, the role of pharmacists continues to expand simultaneously in scope and significance.
PSA WA/ACT State Manager Mayli Foong MPS said that, ‘Pharmacists play a key role in supporting medicines in so many settings including hospital, residential aged care facilities, Home Medicines Reviews, community pharmacy, Aboriginal Health Services, compounding and education.’
‘The expanded scope for pharmacists in Community pharmacy is really exciting. Including expanded scope of prescribing and increased range of vaccinations that pharmacists can deliver.’
Ahead of Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026, with the theme ‘wherever medicines are’, AP spoke to early career pharmacists to explore the breadth of their roles, and the impact they have on patient care and medicines safety every day.
Beyond the pharmacy counter
Rhiannon Price MPS, pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital told AP that there is ‘no such thing as a typical day because everyday is unique.’
‘Just this week I have been actively involved in an acute case of hyperkalaemia (potassium of 7.7)... I collaborated with a physiotherapist to manage pain for a patient post caesarean section up four flights of stairs and liaised with the medical team to safely facilitate a discharge for someone that needed hospital in-home support to safely administer heparin injections,’ said Ms Price, who was awarded 2025 PSA WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.
[caption id="attachment_31621" align="alignright" width="167"] Rhiannon Price, Pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital.[/caption]
The stakes can be raised further in hospital compounding units, which are a cornerstone of ensuring safe medicines preparation. In these highly controlled environments, specialised medicines are prepared for some of the most vulnerable patients, said Caspar Townsend MPS, who works in Perth Children’s Hospital sterile compounding unit.
‘In the morning, we receive and prepare orders from the wards, and before anything begins, we do a full clean of the unit using multiple disinfectants,’ he said. ‘From then until about 1.00 pm, we’re focused on making those medications. In the afternoon, we move on to total parenteral nutrition bags for paediatric patients. A pharmacist will check them again outside, and then they will get bagged up and delivered to their wards.’
Mr Townsend’s journey into sterile compounding began during his internship, where he found an appreciation for the unique blend of technical skills required and hands-on approach.
‘I’m still testing my knowledge, but I also get to work with my hands, which is fun. It’s both the mental and the practical skills that I quite enjoy,’ Mr Townsend told AP.
[caption id="attachment_31633" align="alignright" width="300"] Caspar Townsend MPS, Pharmacist at Perth Children's Hospital compounding unit[/caption]
‘Every [medicine] for every patient is going to be different. It’s tailored to them, so there’s a really high margin and risk for error. It’s all about that precision and control – making sure the medication is the right medication, it’s the right dose, it’s been compounded correctly, and [there’s] all those little checks along the way.’
Providing patients with accessible medicines content
While pharmacists operate in highly regulated clinical settings, others have an expanded reach beyond the pharmacy walls into digital spaces.
Social media has become an invaluable tool for enhancing medicines safety and public health awareness through disseminating accessible, digestible short-form content in real time.
Iraq Doali MPS (@clutchestpharmacist), a NSW-based locum pharmacist, has embraced this shift in the media landscape with his Instagram platform, and is actively bridging the gap between patients and reliable healthcare advice.
‘I wanted to reach a wider audience,’ he said. ‘I felt like a lot of the time people were missing out on crucial information because they were in too much of a rush at the pharmacy or the pharmacy was too busy,’ Mr Doali told AP.
Recognising a lack of pharmacist voices online, he saw an opportunity to contribute, ensuring patients can access timely information. ‘I realised there aren’t many pharmacists on Instagram, which is an important tool for trust and improving medicines safety,’ Mr Doali said.
His aim is to impart knowledge to patients where access to advice may be limited. ‘I [also] talk about the struggles of pharmacy, what pharmacists do, stock issues, or law changes concerning the public in pharmacy… I just want to make sure people get the information they need to get, and from a trusted healthcare professional at the same time,’ Mr Doali said.
His content has assisted in improving health literacy in terms of ‘explaining procedures and medical conditions. This helps viewers understand the profession better, expand their knowledge, and even keep them alert on the changes happening in the pharmacy world’.
The immediacy of digital platforms allows pharmacists to respond quickly to emerging issues... ‘With digital spaces and pharmacists educating about medications, you can reach out to the public when you’re anticipating stock shortages… this is something that can be addressed instantly,’ he said.
[caption id="attachment_31619" align="alignright" width="233"] Iraq Doali, NSW-based locum pharmacist and content creator[/caption]
The leaders of tomorrow
With students mapping out the future landscape of pharmacy, AP spoke with Sebastian Harper, National President at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), about the role of pharmacies as crucial health hubs in rural and remote communities where GP access is limited.
‘The idea that patients can easily present to their GP is not a reality,’ said Mr Harper, who also works as an intern in Mt Isa.
‘Having pharmacists adequately trained to manage acute, everyday conditions and those treated under the Chronic Conditions Management Pilot, has been a blessing in delivering this care for our community.’
Looking ahead, he explained how the next generation of pharmacists is already preparing for a broader scope of practice.
‘It won't be long before we have a significant cohort of ECPs trained to deliver the care that communities across Australia are calling out for,’ Mr Harper said.
He believes this expansion will see pharmacists playing even more critical roles in patient treatment and preventative care. ‘I’m sure pharmacists will become the natural go-to for annual health check-ups, life-long implementation of patients' immunisation schedules, conversations about sexual health, and their pharmacies the inclusive spaces needed for traditionally health-averse demographics,’ Mr Harper said.
During his 3-year tenure on the NAPSA board, Mr Harper has seen pharmacy students committed to retaining their autonomy in a workforce that places increased demands upon young professionals.
‘In the NAPSA 2030 vision launched last year, which provides a framework for the next National President, pharmacy students are now advocating for themselves – calling for paid placements, expansion of scope and a profession that listens to their collective voice.’
Get involved in Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026 by downloading the PSA’s TYPD26 toolkit.
[post_title] => Celebrating pharmacists wherever medicines are
[post_excerpt] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely.
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[post_content] => For some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) is not just delayed, it never happens.
Wollongong-based credentialed pharmacist Esther Hernandez MPS said the people most at risk of medicine-related harm are often the hardest to reach. In her experience, the issue is not a lack of need, but a system that struggles to overcome distance.
When calling to arrange an HMR, Ms Hernandez said the first issue to address is often logistical rather than clinical.
Some patients live significant distances from available providers. Others require additional time and coordination due to disability, mobility issues or complex needs. And for those living outside major centres, distance adds another layer of complexity.
‘It’s not that the service doesn’t exist,’ she said. ‘It’s that the distance between the service and the patient becomes the barrier.’
And for time-critical medicine safety services, this puts patient lives at risk.
Rigid model of care
HMRs are designed to bring medicines expertise into the home. But for patients living further away, or those requiring additional time and coordination, the model can become difficult to deliver – especially as credentialed pharmacists are not reimbursed for travel time.
‘If I’m driving 1 hour each way, that means I can’t see two more patients [in a day],’ Ms Hernandez said.
Ms Hernandez sees patients who would benefit from a review but are difficult to reach under current settings, particularly for follow-up appointments, which she describes as ‘essential’.
Recalling one patient who required only a straightforward change, Ms Hernandez said the follow-up review ‘could have been done via telehealth’.
But this is not an option, with all HMRs and follow-ups conducted after 1 January 2023 required to be face-to-face and no exceptions provided.
In some cases, timely follow-up can prevent serious harm. A patient with hypertension and cognitive impairment stopped taking one medicine after another was added post-HMR, believing it had replaced the original therapy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof,’ Ms Hernandez said.
Patients at risk of being overlooked
Many of the patients who struggle to access HMRs are those living with multiple conditions, disability or limited support.
They may see several prescribers, take numerous medicines and experience ongoing symptoms yet still miss out on a comprehensive review.
‘Without physically reviewing the medication and how they live their life … people just keep adding more medicine,’ Ms Hernandez said.
When there’s no intervention, risks can compound – often leading to deterioration, hospitalisation or loss of independence.
One patient she visited had recently been diagnosed with heart failure and was struggling with persistent coughing and breathlessness despite multiple consultations with GPs and other specialists.
‘She said, “If I had a gun, I would just pull it… I can’t live like this,”’ Ms Hernandez recalled.
The issue, Ms Hernandez found, was not a lack of treatment, but a lack of compliance driven by low health literacy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof.'
Esther Hernandez MPS
‘She was not taking her [diuretic] tablet,’ she said.
Once the treatment was optimised, and some advice given on the importance of compliance, the patient’s symptoms improved rapidly.
‘The cough went. Quality of life improved,’ Ms Hernandez added.
Caps compound disadvantage
These access gaps are compounded by the monthly cap on HMRs, which limit how many patients Ms Hernandez can see regardless of need. She sees them as arbitrary, out of step with other health professions and not reflective of actual workload or demand.
‘It’s just so unfair that we are so restricted,’ Ms Hernandez said, ‘there’s no other profession that has this restriction.’
With demand already exceeding capacity, the cap forces difficult decisions about which patients are prioritised and when care can be delivered. In a system where distance and complexity are already barriers, these limits further constrain the ability to respond to patients at risk, reinforcing the very gaps HMRs are designed to address.
Reform that matches need with value
PSA’s 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission, released 25 February 2026, identifies reform of HMRs as a priority under the First Pharmacy Programs Reform Package.
Recommendation 1.1 calls for removal of monthly provider caps, re-basing and applying annual Wage Cost Index indexation to restore service viability, and improved support for rural delivery and complexity.
For vulnerable patients at risk of medicine-related harm, these changes are not about expanding scope. They are about ensuring the service can reach those who need it most.
Read PSA’s full 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission.
[post_title] => ‘They’re the ones who need it most’: at-risk patients denied HMR access
[post_excerpt] => For some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) is not just delayed, it never happens.
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[post_content] => A systematic review and meta-analysis found little evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders.
Medicinal cannabis is increasingly prescribed in Australia for mental health conditions. Between 2016 and 2022, a third (33.9%) of medicinal cannabis Special Access Scheme Category B applications were for psychiatric conditions. But new evidence suggests the clinical benefits for many of these indications remain uncertain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found no evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.
The findings come amid rapid growth in prescribing. More than one million approvals for medicinal cannabis products have been issued in Australia in recent years, and sales have tripled over the past 4 years.
Lead author Dr Jack Wilson from The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (University of Sydney) said the findings highlight the gap between clinical use and the available evidence.
‘Though our paper didn’t specifically look at this, the routine use of medicinal cannabis could be doing more harm than good by worsening mental health outcomes, for example a greater risk of psychotic symptoms and developing cannabis use disorder, and delaying the use of more effective treatments,’ he said.
Evidence exists for only a small number of conditions
The review analysed 54 randomised controlled trials involving 2,477 participants conducted between 1980 and 2025.
Across these studies, cannabinoids showed some benefit for a limited number of conditions. However, the certainty of evidence was generally low.
Signals of benefit were identified for:
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[post_content] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing healthcare needs – and it could soon reshape how pharmacists practise for decades to come.
Commissioned by the federal government as part of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice, PSA has engaged the University of Queensland’s Centre for Business and Economics of Health to lead a whole-of-profession workforce forecast.
To kick off the consultation process, two all-day workshops bringing pharmacy leaders together across all settings took place in Brisbane and Melbourne last week, with valuable consumer insights also included.
UQ’s Associate Professor Jean Spinks said the scale of change facing the profession makes this work both necessary and overdue.
‘An updated strategic vision for the profession is required, given there’s been massive change over the last decade – including to the profession, scope of practice and the changing needs of the population,’ she said.
The modelling approach will start with the needs of the population that can be addressed by pharmacists to estimate what the size and composition of the pharmacy workforce should look like.
Pharmacy to become a needs-based workforce
The shift towards a needs-based model marks a fundamental change in how pharmacy workforce planning is approached – placing patient need, rather than service supply, at the centre.
It also demands a broader understanding of where pharmacists can add value across the health system, particularly for priority populations.
‘How do we reach them better, and what does that mean for the required skills and competencies of our workforce?’ A/Prof Spinks asked.
Consultation has already identified a wide range of priority groups who could benefit from improved access to pharmacy services.
Key populations include people living with chronic conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
‘There’s also alcohol and drug services – particularly gaps in methadone and buprenorphine services,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
The discussions have also highlighted growing need among people living with dementia, disability and complex health conditions – and the potential for pharmacists to play a greater role in supporting these groups.
‘We discussed whether we should be more involved with NDIS [National Disability Insurance Scheme] funding channels,’ she said. ‘It’s about how we meet those needs within our existing regulations, structures and funding models – bearing in mind that we've got to think about wherever a medicine is, there should be a pharmacist.’
A profession-wide response to workforce pressure
Expanding scope of practice is placing increasing pressure on pharmacists, particularly balancing dispensing with growing service delivery demands – raising important questions about safety, quality and workforce capacity.
‘Even now with vaccination, how many scripts is it safe to dispense in a day versus how many vaccinations at the same time?’ A/Prof Spinks asked. ‘We haven't really re-examined some of those aspects of both the quality and safety of care as it relates to workforce pressures.’
The modelling therefore takes a whole-of-profession approach, spanning all practice settings and recognising the need for stronger team-based care.
‘We’re working with experts across sectors to ensure we capture hospital, community and aged care settings, and also the role of technicians and assistants,’ she said. ‘You need to be able to have additional hands on deck to support expansion into additional settings.’
For PSA’s Head of Policy and Strategy Chris Campbell FPS, the significance of this work lies in its potential to unify the profession under a shared, forward-looking plan.
‘As a government-commissioned report, it will include policy recommendations, and we hope it helps shape the direction needed to support care delivered by pharmacists wherever medicines are,’ he said.
‘This isn’t just about having the data. We also need a whole-of-workforce plan – something that’s been missing for the profession. And importantly, this isn’t PSA’s plan, it’s the profession’s plan.
‘By global standards Australia does have a really vibrant community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy sector and these are strengths that we need to build on in the future.’
Primary care in focus
One area where workforce reform is expected to have significant impact is primary care, particularly through the expansion of GP pharmacist roles.
Medicines use is rising, complexity is increasing, and so too is the risk of medicines-related harm. There’s also growing pressure on the GP workforce alongside the escalating costs of care through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), said GP pharmacist Brooke Shelly FPS, 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year.
‘As reflected in repeated federal budget submissions from both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association, GPs are actively calling for pharmacists to be part of the team,’ she said.
‘We are asking more of medicines than ever before, yet we still haven’t consistently embedded the workforce best trained to manage them in the very setting where most prescribing occurs, general practice.
‘Where pharmacists are embedded, we are already seeing improvements in quality use of medicines, more appropriate deprescribing, and better continuity of care.’
Despite this, workforce limitations are often driven by system constraints rather than lack of pharmacist interest.
‘We often talk about the workforce being small, but that reflects the constraints of current Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) programs and the system more broadly,’ she said.
‘Unlock a clear, funded pathway for the GP Pharmacist role, and you will see a rapid surge in pharmacists seeking credentialing.’
Distribution also matters; workforce challenges are not just about numbers, but about ensuring pharmacists are embedded where patient need is greatest – particularly in rural and regional communities where these models of care are often essential.
‘Ultimately, the focus now is on building the structures that allow this workforce to be embedded where it can deliver the greatest impact, while continuing to support and strengthen existing programs such as HMRs and RMMRs that remain a critical part of the broader medicines safety framework,’ she said.
Looking ahead
When the plan comes together, Professor Lisa Nissen FPS – Director, and Taylor Family Chair, of the University of Queensland's Centre for the Business and Economics of Health – said it represents a critical opportunity to rethink the role of pharmacists in Australia’s health system.
‘There has not been a structured workforce planning activity in the pharmacy profession since 2009 for the 4th Community Pharmacy Agreement,’ she said. ‘And much of this previous work and modelling also focused on traditional roles for pharmacists in supply chain activities.’
As pharmacists’ roles expand and the pharmacy workforce is increasingly utilised in patient care, a clearer understanding of the future workforce composition and size – including pharmacists, assistants and technicians – will be critical to supporting healthcare needs.
‘This will help form the foundation for PSA and other groups to strategically plan for workforce development,’ Prof Nissen said.
Consultation will continue over the coming months, with PSA maintaining an open submissions process. A series of online focus groups is also scheduled for April, including at least one session dedicated specifically to exploring workforce needs in rural and remote areas
As for the final report, tight timelines for the modelling reflect strong interest in progressing workforce reform.
‘The federal government wants the [model] delivered by 30 June,’ A/Prof Spinks said.
‘They want to move on it quickly – and that’s encouraging.’
[post_title] => How will Australia’s pharmacy workforce respond to megatrends?
[post_excerpt] => A national workforce planning initiative is underway to better understand how the pharmacy profession must evolve to meet changing needs.
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[post_content] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
‘Congratulations to [the] SA/NT award winners, who are advancing patient care in their local communities and beyond,’ said PSA SA/NT President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS.
Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Paul Tait FPS
The PSA SA/NT Branch has named Dr Paul Tait FPS as Pharmacist of the Year 2026, recognising his outstanding leadership in digital health, palliative care, research and integrated care. With more than 30 years of experience spanning hospital practice, research and professional leadership – Dr Tait is widely recognised for strengthening pharmacists’ roles within integrated multidisciplinary care teams.
Contributing to PSA’s education resources and mentoring health professionals across disciplines have enhanced pharmacists’ confidence and impact in complex care environments.
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Stephanie Lee MPS
Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Stephanie Lee MPS has been recognised for innovation, expanded scope service delivery and leadership in rural healthcare. As the first community pharmacist in South Australia to administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine, she has significantly improved access to evidence-based treatment for opioid dependence, reducing barriers to care and supporting safer, more dignified patient outcomes.
Ms Lee is also a passionate advocate for community engagement, professional development, and integrated care. Through health education presentations, expanded-scope services including mental health first aid, urinary tract infection management, and oral contraceptive supply – alongside close collaboration with local hospitals – she has strengthened health literacy and care quality across her rural community of Bordertown.
Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Li Ann Ching MPS
Li Ann Ching MPS was recognised as the Intern Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding performance and professionalism throughout her intern year, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient-centred care and expanded pharmacy services.
By delivering a wide range of professional services – including vaccination, heart health checks, travel consultations and hospital-to-home discharge reviews – Ms Ching has excelled in her commitment to patient health, while also supporting the provision of professional services in the pharmacy, such as dose administration aids and MedsChecks.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Grant Kardachi AM FPS
Grant Kardachi AM FPS was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Adelaide, recognised for his extraordinary contribution to the pharmacy profession spanning over 5 decades. As a highly respected leader, advocate, and mentor, Mr Kardachi has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary practice across Australia.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of consultant pharmacy, Mr Kardachi was a key player in the 1996 Community Pharmacy Model Practices Project, leading to the introduction of Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews. These essential healthcare services have transformed medicines stewardship and continue to improve the safe and effective use of medicines for Australians.
Serving more than 30 years of leadership, representing PSA at branch and national levels, including as National President from 2011 to 2015, Mr Kardachi has advanced professional standards, education, and patient-centred care.
PSA Gold Medal – Matthew Weimann
The PSA were also delighted to present Matthew Weimann with the prestigious PSA Gold Medal for his exceptional academic achievement. Following graduation, Mr Weimann is currently completing his intern year at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he is stimulated by his interactions with patients and clinical complexity.
The PSA Gold Medal recognises the student with the highest-grade point average, above 6.25, studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia. The Gold Medal has been awarded in South Australia since 1896 but only when there is a candidate that meets the stringent requirements of this award. Mr Weimann joins this elite group of pharmacists to receive the Gold Medal.
‘These award recipients represent some of the best of the pharmacy profession,’ Prof Angley said. ‘Their innovation, dedication, and passion are essential as we respond to the evolving health needs of our communities.’
[post_title] => PSA recognises pharmacists for excellence in practice
[post_excerpt] => PSA has announced the winners of the South Australian and Northern Territory Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.
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[post_content] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely – no matter the location.
As healthcare systems are confronted with growing demand, workforce pressures, and a landscape of technological change, the role of pharmacists continues to expand simultaneously in scope and significance.
PSA WA/ACT State Manager Mayli Foong MPS said that, ‘Pharmacists play a key role in supporting medicines in so many settings including hospital, residential aged care facilities, Home Medicines Reviews, community pharmacy, Aboriginal Health Services, compounding and education.’
‘The expanded scope for pharmacists in Community pharmacy is really exciting. Including expanded scope of prescribing and increased range of vaccinations that pharmacists can deliver.’
Ahead of Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026, with the theme ‘wherever medicines are’, AP spoke to early career pharmacists to explore the breadth of their roles, and the impact they have on patient care and medicines safety every day.
Beyond the pharmacy counter
Rhiannon Price MPS, pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital told AP that there is ‘no such thing as a typical day because everyday is unique.’
‘Just this week I have been actively involved in an acute case of hyperkalaemia (potassium of 7.7)... I collaborated with a physiotherapist to manage pain for a patient post caesarean section up four flights of stairs and liaised with the medical team to safely facilitate a discharge for someone that needed hospital in-home support to safely administer heparin injections,’ said Ms Price, who was awarded 2025 PSA WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.
[caption id="attachment_31621" align="alignright" width="167"] Rhiannon Price, Pharmacist at King Edward Memorial Hospital.[/caption]
The stakes can be raised further in hospital compounding units, which are a cornerstone of ensuring safe medicines preparation. In these highly controlled environments, specialised medicines are prepared for some of the most vulnerable patients, said Caspar Townsend MPS, who works in Perth Children’s Hospital sterile compounding unit.
‘In the morning, we receive and prepare orders from the wards, and before anything begins, we do a full clean of the unit using multiple disinfectants,’ he said. ‘From then until about 1.00 pm, we’re focused on making those medications. In the afternoon, we move on to total parenteral nutrition bags for paediatric patients. A pharmacist will check them again outside, and then they will get bagged up and delivered to their wards.’
Mr Townsend’s journey into sterile compounding began during his internship, where he found an appreciation for the unique blend of technical skills required and hands-on approach.
‘I’m still testing my knowledge, but I also get to work with my hands, which is fun. It’s both the mental and the practical skills that I quite enjoy,’ Mr Townsend told AP.
[caption id="attachment_31633" align="alignright" width="300"] Caspar Townsend MPS, Pharmacist at Perth Children's Hospital compounding unit[/caption]
‘Every [medicine] for every patient is going to be different. It’s tailored to them, so there’s a really high margin and risk for error. It’s all about that precision and control – making sure the medication is the right medication, it’s the right dose, it’s been compounded correctly, and [there’s] all those little checks along the way.’
Providing patients with accessible medicines content
While pharmacists operate in highly regulated clinical settings, others have an expanded reach beyond the pharmacy walls into digital spaces.
Social media has become an invaluable tool for enhancing medicines safety and public health awareness through disseminating accessible, digestible short-form content in real time.
Iraq Doali MPS (@clutchestpharmacist), a NSW-based locum pharmacist, has embraced this shift in the media landscape with his Instagram platform, and is actively bridging the gap between patients and reliable healthcare advice.
‘I wanted to reach a wider audience,’ he said. ‘I felt like a lot of the time people were missing out on crucial information because they were in too much of a rush at the pharmacy or the pharmacy was too busy,’ Mr Doali told AP.
Recognising a lack of pharmacist voices online, he saw an opportunity to contribute, ensuring patients can access timely information. ‘I realised there aren’t many pharmacists on Instagram, which is an important tool for trust and improving medicines safety,’ Mr Doali said.
His aim is to impart knowledge to patients where access to advice may be limited. ‘I [also] talk about the struggles of pharmacy, what pharmacists do, stock issues, or law changes concerning the public in pharmacy… I just want to make sure people get the information they need to get, and from a trusted healthcare professional at the same time,’ Mr Doali said.
His content has assisted in improving health literacy in terms of ‘explaining procedures and medical conditions. This helps viewers understand the profession better, expand their knowledge, and even keep them alert on the changes happening in the pharmacy world’.
The immediacy of digital platforms allows pharmacists to respond quickly to emerging issues... ‘With digital spaces and pharmacists educating about medications, you can reach out to the public when you’re anticipating stock shortages… this is something that can be addressed instantly,’ he said.
[caption id="attachment_31619" align="alignright" width="233"] Iraq Doali, NSW-based locum pharmacist and content creator[/caption]
The leaders of tomorrow
With students mapping out the future landscape of pharmacy, AP spoke with Sebastian Harper, National President at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), about the role of pharmacies as crucial health hubs in rural and remote communities where GP access is limited.
‘The idea that patients can easily present to their GP is not a reality,’ said Mr Harper, who also works as an intern in Mt Isa.
‘Having pharmacists adequately trained to manage acute, everyday conditions and those treated under the Chronic Conditions Management Pilot, has been a blessing in delivering this care for our community.’
Looking ahead, he explained how the next generation of pharmacists is already preparing for a broader scope of practice.
‘It won't be long before we have a significant cohort of ECPs trained to deliver the care that communities across Australia are calling out for,’ Mr Harper said.
He believes this expansion will see pharmacists playing even more critical roles in patient treatment and preventative care. ‘I’m sure pharmacists will become the natural go-to for annual health check-ups, life-long implementation of patients' immunisation schedules, conversations about sexual health, and their pharmacies the inclusive spaces needed for traditionally health-averse demographics,’ Mr Harper said.
During his 3-year tenure on the NAPSA board, Mr Harper has seen pharmacy students committed to retaining their autonomy in a workforce that places increased demands upon young professionals.
‘In the NAPSA 2030 vision launched last year, which provides a framework for the next National President, pharmacy students are now advocating for themselves – calling for paid placements, expansion of scope and a profession that listens to their collective voice.’
Get involved in Thank Your Pharmacist Day 2026 by downloading the PSA’s TYPD26 toolkit.
[post_title] => Celebrating pharmacists wherever medicines are
[post_excerpt] => From hospital wards to community pharmacies, and increasingly, digital platforms, pharmacists are there to ensure medicines are used safely.
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[post_content] => For some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) is not just delayed, it never happens.
Wollongong-based credentialed pharmacist Esther Hernandez MPS said the people most at risk of medicine-related harm are often the hardest to reach. In her experience, the issue is not a lack of need, but a system that struggles to overcome distance.
When calling to arrange an HMR, Ms Hernandez said the first issue to address is often logistical rather than clinical.
Some patients live significant distances from available providers. Others require additional time and coordination due to disability, mobility issues or complex needs. And for those living outside major centres, distance adds another layer of complexity.
‘It’s not that the service doesn’t exist,’ she said. ‘It’s that the distance between the service and the patient becomes the barrier.’
And for time-critical medicine safety services, this puts patient lives at risk.
Rigid model of care
HMRs are designed to bring medicines expertise into the home. But for patients living further away, or those requiring additional time and coordination, the model can become difficult to deliver – especially as credentialed pharmacists are not reimbursed for travel time.
‘If I’m driving 1 hour each way, that means I can’t see two more patients [in a day],’ Ms Hernandez said.
Ms Hernandez sees patients who would benefit from a review but are difficult to reach under current settings, particularly for follow-up appointments, which she describes as ‘essential’.
Recalling one patient who required only a straightforward change, Ms Hernandez said the follow-up review ‘could have been done via telehealth’.
But this is not an option, with all HMRs and follow-ups conducted after 1 January 2023 required to be face-to-face and no exceptions provided.
In some cases, timely follow-up can prevent serious harm. A patient with hypertension and cognitive impairment stopped taking one medicine after another was added post-HMR, believing it had replaced the original therapy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof,’ Ms Hernandez said.
Patients at risk of being overlooked
Many of the patients who struggle to access HMRs are those living with multiple conditions, disability or limited support.
They may see several prescribers, take numerous medicines and experience ongoing symptoms yet still miss out on a comprehensive review.
‘Without physically reviewing the medication and how they live their life … people just keep adding more medicine,’ Ms Hernandez said.
When there’s no intervention, risks can compound – often leading to deterioration, hospitalisation or loss of independence.
One patient she visited had recently been diagnosed with heart failure and was struggling with persistent coughing and breathlessness despite multiple consultations with GPs and other specialists.
‘She said, “If I had a gun, I would just pull it… I can’t live like this,”’ Ms Hernandez recalled.
The issue, Ms Hernandez found, was not a lack of treatment, but a lack of compliance driven by low health literacy.
‘If I didn’t do this follow-up visit, the patient could have been hospitalised because their blood pressure was through the roof.'
Esther Hernandez MPS
‘She was not taking her [diuretic] tablet,’ she said.
Once the treatment was optimised, and some advice given on the importance of compliance, the patient’s symptoms improved rapidly.
‘The cough went. Quality of life improved,’ Ms Hernandez added.
Caps compound disadvantage
These access gaps are compounded by the monthly cap on HMRs, which limit how many patients Ms Hernandez can see regardless of need. She sees them as arbitrary, out of step with other health professions and not reflective of actual workload or demand.
‘It’s just so unfair that we are so restricted,’ Ms Hernandez said, ‘there’s no other profession that has this restriction.’
With demand already exceeding capacity, the cap forces difficult decisions about which patients are prioritised and when care can be delivered. In a system where distance and complexity are already barriers, these limits further constrain the ability to respond to patients at risk, reinforcing the very gaps HMRs are designed to address.
Reform that matches need with value
PSA’s 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission, released 25 February 2026, identifies reform of HMRs as a priority under the First Pharmacy Programs Reform Package.
Recommendation 1.1 calls for removal of monthly provider caps, re-basing and applying annual Wage Cost Index indexation to restore service viability, and improved support for rural delivery and complexity.
For vulnerable patients at risk of medicine-related harm, these changes are not about expanding scope. They are about ensuring the service can reach those who need it most.
Read PSA’s full 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission.
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[post_content] => A systematic review and meta-analysis found little evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders.
Medicinal cannabis is increasingly prescribed in Australia for mental health conditions. Between 2016 and 2022, a third (33.9%) of medicinal cannabis Special Access Scheme Category B applications were for psychiatric conditions. But new evidence suggests the clinical benefits for many of these indications remain uncertain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found no evidence that cannabinoids improve outcomes for common conditions such as anxiety, PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.
The findings come amid rapid growth in prescribing. More than one million approvals for medicinal cannabis products have been issued in Australia in recent years, and sales have tripled over the past 4 years.
Lead author Dr Jack Wilson from The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (University of Sydney) said the findings highlight the gap between clinical use and the available evidence.
‘Though our paper didn’t specifically look at this, the routine use of medicinal cannabis could be doing more harm than good by worsening mental health outcomes, for example a greater risk of psychotic symptoms and developing cannabis use disorder, and delaying the use of more effective treatments,’ he said.
Evidence exists for only a small number of conditions
The review analysed 54 randomised controlled trials involving 2,477 participants conducted between 1980 and 2025.
Across these studies, cannabinoids showed some benefit for a limited number of conditions. However, the certainty of evidence was generally low.
Signals of benefit were identified for:
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Australian Pharmacist is the official journal for Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
