Professor Rodney Baber AM
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[post_content] => The combination of an award wage rise and pay equity increase is set to deliver a meaningful lift in pharmacist remuneration.
Pharmacists are in line for a pay boost. AP investigates the drivers set to lift wages from 1 July.
Strong award wage increase
Pharmacists employed by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 will experience their largest annual wage rise in years. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced the 2026 Annual Wage Review decision yesterday (2 June), increasing modern award minimum wages by 4.75% from 1 July.
The increase is lower than the 6% wage rise supported by unions, but higher than the rate proposed by employer and business groups.
Along with the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia advocated for a 3.5% wage increase, advising that this was the highest level businesses could accommodate.
However, the FWC’s decision was based on the challenges the nation is facing, including Reserve Bank interest rate tightening and the conflict in the Middle East.
In its decision, the FWC noted ‘ regrettably, … it is not practicable in the current uncertain circumstances to award a real wage increase for employees reliant on modern award wage rates that would be sufficient to close the real wage gap entirely’ compared to the post-pandemic inflation spike after July 2021.
‘I consistently hear from our members that remuneration is their number one concern, particularly given cost-of-living pressures,’ said PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS. ‘For many community pharmacists, who make up a significant proportion of our membership, the award increase feels long overdue.’
Year 2 of the gender undervaluation correction
In 2025, the FWC’s Expert Panel for pay equity in the care and community sector determined that pharmacists have been subject to a total of 14.1% gender-based undervaluation.
‘Last year's gender discrimination determination was so important in addressing longstanding discrimination in the award rate for pharmacists, which was found to be directly linked to the high proportion of the workforce that is female,’ Prof Naunton said.
The Expert Panel issued a determination that there will be a total increase in the minimum wage rates of 14.1% over 3 years, with the second increase set to take place on 30 June 2026.
As AP pointed out last year, not all pharmacists will see a direct pay rise. The award sets a remuneration level, and Fair Work data indicates around 12.7% of pharmacists are paid at award rates only – though the proportion is likely higher in community pharmacy, where collective agreements are less common than in the hospital sector.
While pharmacy interns will see another pay rise, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy students are not included, as their rates were not found to be undervalued.
‘We welcome the next stage of the gender discrimination increase to the Pharmacy Industry Award, which will take effect from 1 July, in addition to the 4.75% increase from the annual wage review,’ Prof Naunton added.
What will the new award hourly rate be?
The exact updated pay rates will be confirmed when the FWC publishes new pay guides ahead of 1 July.
And while the wage increase is a relief for many pharmacists, Prof Naunton said PSA also recognised that there are other members who are being left further behind financially.
‘We continue to fight to increase remuneration for pharmacists who provide medication review services, who have had no fee increase in 7 years,’ he added.
[post_title] => Pharmacists in line for pay increase
[post_excerpt] => The combination of an award wage rise and pay equity increase is set to deliver a meaningful lift in pharmacist remuneration.
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[post_content] => Four of Australia’s leading health peak bodies have united in calling for investment in general practice pharmacists to make medicine use safer and strengthen multidisciplinary care.
Speaking at an inter-professional panel session at the 2026 GP Pharmacist Symposium today on the Gold Coast, presidents from PSA, Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association reinforced the clinical need and value of embedding pharmacists within general practice.
The session provided a real-life demonstration of cohesion, bringing together representatives from general practice, medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
Exploring how collaborative healthcare efforts can improve patient care, reduce pressure on hospitals and strengthen the primary care workforce, the panel was made up of extraordinary leaders, including:
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[post_content] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before the next shortage hits.
After several years of disruption, Australia's ADHD medicine supply has largely recovered. But the shortages of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) in 2023–24 and methylphenidate in 2025 exposed global supply chain vulnerabilities. With diagnosis rates rising, prescribing arrangements expanding and global manufacturing concentrated overseas, pharmacists may once again find themselves managing the fallout from supply interruptions.
[caption id="attachment_32071" align="alignright" width="300"]
Yvette Anderson MPS[/caption]
Yvette Anderson MPS – founder of Spectrum Pharmacist, which sets out to bridge the gap for neurodivergent families – tells AP how preparation, collaboration and neuroaffirming care will be essential when the next shortage arrives.
A fragile recovery
The shortages that dominated ADHD care over the past 3 years have largely eased, Ms Anderson said.
‘Except for one particular strength of long-acting methylphenidate (30 mg), which is a bit hit and miss.’
However, the situation remains precarious.
Australia relies heavily on overseas manufacturing for ADHD medicines, with production historically concentrated in Ireland and Germany. Supply is also influenced by annual manufacturing quotas established by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which shape global production volumes for controlled substances.
When the Vyvanse patent expired in the United States in 2023, demand for generic lisdexamfetamine surged – rapidly straining international supply chains. More recently, scrutiny of DEA production quotas under the Make America Healthy Again policy framework contributed to a significant reduction in manufacturing, creating flow-on effects internationally.
Due to international uproar, production recommenced. ‘But it's still not probably at the rate and quantity needed globally, so we're always going to sit in a bit of a precarious area,’ Ms Anderson said.
Demand is surging
While supply remains vulnerable, Australia's ADHD treatment landscape is also undergoing significant change.
Initiation of ADHD medicines was largely restricted to paediatricians and psychiatrists. Now, most states and territories have introduced pathways that allow appropriately trained GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD medicines.
'A number of GPs in different states have either already been trained, or their state or territory has put laws in place to allow them to be trained to diagnose and prescribe medications,' Ms Anderson said.
Diagnosis rates are also increasing due to changes in diagnosis criteria. More accessible and affordable treatment pathways will help to ensure patients can receive timely access to care.
Importantly, diagnosis does not automatically lead to pharmacological treatment.
'Just because there is potentially going to be an increase in the number of Australians getting diagnosed, that number won't directly correlate to the same number of increasing supply of medication,' Ms Anderson said. 'Medication is only one tiny piece of your management plan, and for some people, medicines aren't the way they want to go, or they don't suit them, or find them effective,'
Nevertheless, more diagnoses and more prescribers are likely to increase demand for medicines supplied through already fragile global supply chains.
Is it possible to get ahead of shortages?
Yes, and no.
Ms Anderson encourages pharmacies to establish systems that allow them to identify and respond to potential disruptions early. This includes monitoring Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) medicine shortage alerts.
Once a shortage is identified, pharmacies can use dispensing records to determine which patients may be affected and begin discussions with prescribers before supplies run out.
‘It's a matter of looking at who the prescribers are and reaching out to them and saying, “The TGA has alerted us to this. We know you have a number of patients on this medication. What can we do as a collaborative to support this transition and this shortage period?”’ Ms Anderson said.
As a hospital pharmacist, she was able to pass on information about ADHD medicine shortages to paediatricians – who opened telehealth appointments to turn scripts around quickly.
‘I also communicated with the community pharmacies in my area to ask: Who has stock? Who doesn't? Can we redirect patients?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘Working together as a community, making sure you're embedded in that multidisciplinary team really pays off when there are medication shortages.’
Switching medicines safely
When ADHD medicines are in short supply, patients may need to adjust their medicines; so it’s crucial to be aware of the various formulations, durations of action and release characteristics of different stimulant products.
‘If someone's stabilised on Ritalin, they may go on Ritalin LA or Concerta – but Concerta's duration of action is longer and Ritalin LA's is shorter – so we need to be considering: does this person work through to 6.00 pm? Do we need some immediate release on top of that?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘It's not a straight switch between the medicines.’
The challenges become greater when patients need to move between stimulant classes, such as from lisdexamfetamine to methylphenidate.
‘I've seen people that have quite significant adverse effects after switching to lisdexamfetamine and a couple of days later being unable to function,’ she said. ‘Even though we know someone might be getting a positive effect from stimulants, it doesn't mean it's going to be the same for all stimulants.’
Where stimulant options become unavailable, non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (off-label) can provide alternative management pathways.
‘These non-stimulant options have really good evidence [of efficacy], but they're probably underutilised,' Ms Anderson said. ‘When we do come to another significant shortage, there's only a handful of stimulant medicines – so we need to be able to talk to patients about other options.’
Learn more about supporting patients through ADHD medicine shortages by attending the ADHD care Session at PSA26, held from 31 July to 2 August at the ICC in Sydney.
[post_title] => How to manage ADHD medicine shortages
[post_excerpt] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before ADHD medicine shortages strike again.
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[post_content] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
Kelly Abbott MPS was awarded 2026 PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding contribution to consultant pharmacy practice and passion for improving patient care throughout her hometown of Gippsland, Victoria.
Tiernan McDonough MPS, based in South Australia, was named 2026 PSA AMH Aged Care Pharmacist of the Year for excellence, leadership, and innovation in aged care pharmacy.
Tireless HMR advocate
Highly regarded across the industry for her work in delivering Home Medicines Reviews, Residential Medication Management Reviews, and providing Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services, Ms Abbott’s 15 years of service to consultant pharmacy make her a well-deserving winner of this year’s award.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Ms Abbott epitomises many credentialed pharmacists as a passionate and relentless advocate for HMRs, her patients, and the greater credentialed pharmacist workforce.
‘Kelly has continued to be actively involved in grassroots advocacy, notably in recent months during the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement negotiations led by PSA, ensuring the voices of frontline pharmacists and patients were heard,’ he said.
‘Kelly is a loyal, responsive, and reliable contributor to PSA and the Consultant Pharmacist of Australia working groups, while balancing multiple professional roles and caring for her family.
‘Her contributions to PSA and the profession are honourable. We are proud to recognise Kelly as the PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year and celebrate her significant and ongoing impact.’
Aged care champion
Mr McDonough has been recognised for his ongoing dedication and commitment to aged care pharmacy practice through his support for residents and healthcare teams in delivering medication reviews and QUM services.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Mr McDonough embodies the essential role pharmacists play in aged care.
‘Pharmacists working in aged care are critical to ensuring safe and effective medicines use, but Tiernan’s impact extends beyond the aged care sector in which he practices,’ he said.
‘Tiernan has led an important mentoring program that connects pharmacists within the residential aged care profession, to reduce professional isolation and support further workforce development.
‘His work demonstrates his compassion, leadership, and strong drive for improving care for older Australians.’
[post_title] => Consultant pharmacist excellence awarded
[post_excerpt] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
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[post_content] => Honey may offer safer, more effective and yummier cough relief than many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
As winter inches closer, pharmacists are seeing more patients seeking relief from coughs associated with cold and flu season, often asking for an OTC cough syrup or suppressant, or the Pharmacist Only medicine dihydrocodeine (Rikodeine).
But mounting evidence suggests the best therapeutic recommendation might come from the pantry rather than the dispensary.
1. Efficacy and safety of cough medicine called into question
The evidence for oral OTC cough preparations for acute cough is, at best, inconclusive – with clinical trials failing to demonstrate efficacy.
Cough medicines are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age, and use in older children discouraged – with product labels emphasising they should only be used in children aged 6–11 on the advice of a health professional (e.g. pharmacist, nurse, medical practitioner).
They should only be considered if the benefit of their use outweighs the risk, noting that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review that informed these changes highlighted significant safety and efficacy concerns.
Cough medicines are also not appropriate for many adult patients due to medicine interactions, risk of abuse, adverse effects, and other co-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Additionally, the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) advises against combination cough products that mix an antitussive with an expectorant, an antihistamine, or both.
These products tend to contain subtherapeutic doses of each ingredient, and can increase the risk of adverse effects without adding meaningful therapeutic benefit.
2. Honey goes down more than a treat
Most acute coughs are self-limiting, and non-pharmacological management can be recommended, with the aim of chronic cough management being identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Honey is often the superior clinical choice if symptomatic relief is needed. According to the APF, honey relieves cough symptoms in children better than no treatment or placebo, acting as a demulcent by forming a soothing, bioadhesive film over irritated pharyngeal mucosa to blunt the sensory tickle that triggers a cough.
Interestingly, it is thought that the high placebo response seen in trials of cough medicines may be related to the demulcent content (or syrup) of the cough mixture.
A 2022 systematic review found honey to be an effective treatment for cough in children above 12 months of age, with a 2010 randomised controlled trial even finding it to be more effective than dextromethorphan or diphenhydramine at relieving nocturnal cough in children related to upper respiratory tract infections.
The 2023 Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA) Australian Chronic Cough Position Statement Update also strongly recommends minimising the use of other medications for nonspecific or refractory cough in children other than demulcents (i.e. honey).
While honey is a safe first-line recommendation for many patients, including children, it must not be given to infants under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism from Clostridium botulinum spores.
Demulcents like honey are also a safe treatment option for:
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[post_content] => The combination of an award wage rise and pay equity increase is set to deliver a meaningful lift in pharmacist remuneration.
Pharmacists are in line for a pay boost. AP investigates the drivers set to lift wages from 1 July.
Strong award wage increase
Pharmacists employed by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 will experience their largest annual wage rise in years. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced the 2026 Annual Wage Review decision yesterday (2 June), increasing modern award minimum wages by 4.75% from 1 July.
The increase is lower than the 6% wage rise supported by unions, but higher than the rate proposed by employer and business groups.
Along with the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia advocated for a 3.5% wage increase, advising that this was the highest level businesses could accommodate.
However, the FWC’s decision was based on the challenges the nation is facing, including Reserve Bank interest rate tightening and the conflict in the Middle East.
In its decision, the FWC noted ‘ regrettably, … it is not practicable in the current uncertain circumstances to award a real wage increase for employees reliant on modern award wage rates that would be sufficient to close the real wage gap entirely’ compared to the post-pandemic inflation spike after July 2021.
‘I consistently hear from our members that remuneration is their number one concern, particularly given cost-of-living pressures,’ said PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS. ‘For many community pharmacists, who make up a significant proportion of our membership, the award increase feels long overdue.’
Year 2 of the gender undervaluation correction
In 2025, the FWC’s Expert Panel for pay equity in the care and community sector determined that pharmacists have been subject to a total of 14.1% gender-based undervaluation.
‘Last year's gender discrimination determination was so important in addressing longstanding discrimination in the award rate for pharmacists, which was found to be directly linked to the high proportion of the workforce that is female,’ Prof Naunton said.
The Expert Panel issued a determination that there will be a total increase in the minimum wage rates of 14.1% over 3 years, with the second increase set to take place on 30 June 2026.
As AP pointed out last year, not all pharmacists will see a direct pay rise. The award sets a remuneration level, and Fair Work data indicates around 12.7% of pharmacists are paid at award rates only – though the proportion is likely higher in community pharmacy, where collective agreements are less common than in the hospital sector.
While pharmacy interns will see another pay rise, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy students are not included, as their rates were not found to be undervalued.
‘We welcome the next stage of the gender discrimination increase to the Pharmacy Industry Award, which will take effect from 1 July, in addition to the 4.75% increase from the annual wage review,’ Prof Naunton added.
What will the new award hourly rate be?
The exact updated pay rates will be confirmed when the FWC publishes new pay guides ahead of 1 July.
And while the wage increase is a relief for many pharmacists, Prof Naunton said PSA also recognised that there are other members who are being left further behind financially.
‘We continue to fight to increase remuneration for pharmacists who provide medication review services, who have had no fee increase in 7 years,’ he added.
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[post_content] => Four of Australia’s leading health peak bodies have united in calling for investment in general practice pharmacists to make medicine use safer and strengthen multidisciplinary care.
Speaking at an inter-professional panel session at the 2026 GP Pharmacist Symposium today on the Gold Coast, presidents from PSA, Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association reinforced the clinical need and value of embedding pharmacists within general practice.
The session provided a real-life demonstration of cohesion, bringing together representatives from general practice, medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
Exploring how collaborative healthcare efforts can improve patient care, reduce pressure on hospitals and strengthen the primary care workforce, the panel was made up of extraordinary leaders, including:
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[post_content] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before the next shortage hits.
After several years of disruption, Australia's ADHD medicine supply has largely recovered. But the shortages of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) in 2023–24 and methylphenidate in 2025 exposed global supply chain vulnerabilities. With diagnosis rates rising, prescribing arrangements expanding and global manufacturing concentrated overseas, pharmacists may once again find themselves managing the fallout from supply interruptions.
[caption id="attachment_32071" align="alignright" width="300"] Yvette Anderson MPS[/caption]
Yvette Anderson MPS – founder of Spectrum Pharmacist, which sets out to bridge the gap for neurodivergent families – tells AP how preparation, collaboration and neuroaffirming care will be essential when the next shortage arrives.
A fragile recovery
The shortages that dominated ADHD care over the past 3 years have largely eased, Ms Anderson said.
‘Except for one particular strength of long-acting methylphenidate (30 mg), which is a bit hit and miss.’
However, the situation remains precarious.
Australia relies heavily on overseas manufacturing for ADHD medicines, with production historically concentrated in Ireland and Germany. Supply is also influenced by annual manufacturing quotas established by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which shape global production volumes for controlled substances.
When the Vyvanse patent expired in the United States in 2023, demand for generic lisdexamfetamine surged – rapidly straining international supply chains. More recently, scrutiny of DEA production quotas under the Make America Healthy Again policy framework contributed to a significant reduction in manufacturing, creating flow-on effects internationally.
Due to international uproar, production recommenced. ‘But it's still not probably at the rate and quantity needed globally, so we're always going to sit in a bit of a precarious area,’ Ms Anderson said.
Demand is surging
While supply remains vulnerable, Australia's ADHD treatment landscape is also undergoing significant change.
Initiation of ADHD medicines was largely restricted to paediatricians and psychiatrists. Now, most states and territories have introduced pathways that allow appropriately trained GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD medicines.
'A number of GPs in different states have either already been trained, or their state or territory has put laws in place to allow them to be trained to diagnose and prescribe medications,' Ms Anderson said.
Diagnosis rates are also increasing due to changes in diagnosis criteria. More accessible and affordable treatment pathways will help to ensure patients can receive timely access to care.
Importantly, diagnosis does not automatically lead to pharmacological treatment.
'Just because there is potentially going to be an increase in the number of Australians getting diagnosed, that number won't directly correlate to the same number of increasing supply of medication,' Ms Anderson said. 'Medication is only one tiny piece of your management plan, and for some people, medicines aren't the way they want to go, or they don't suit them, or find them effective,'
Nevertheless, more diagnoses and more prescribers are likely to increase demand for medicines supplied through already fragile global supply chains.
Is it possible to get ahead of shortages?
Yes, and no.
Ms Anderson encourages pharmacies to establish systems that allow them to identify and respond to potential disruptions early. This includes monitoring Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) medicine shortage alerts.
Once a shortage is identified, pharmacies can use dispensing records to determine which patients may be affected and begin discussions with prescribers before supplies run out.
‘It's a matter of looking at who the prescribers are and reaching out to them and saying, “The TGA has alerted us to this. We know you have a number of patients on this medication. What can we do as a collaborative to support this transition and this shortage period?”’ Ms Anderson said.
As a hospital pharmacist, she was able to pass on information about ADHD medicine shortages to paediatricians – who opened telehealth appointments to turn scripts around quickly.
‘I also communicated with the community pharmacies in my area to ask: Who has stock? Who doesn't? Can we redirect patients?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘Working together as a community, making sure you're embedded in that multidisciplinary team really pays off when there are medication shortages.’
Switching medicines safely
When ADHD medicines are in short supply, patients may need to adjust their medicines; so it’s crucial to be aware of the various formulations, durations of action and release characteristics of different stimulant products.
‘If someone's stabilised on Ritalin, they may go on Ritalin LA or Concerta – but Concerta's duration of action is longer and Ritalin LA's is shorter – so we need to be considering: does this person work through to 6.00 pm? Do we need some immediate release on top of that?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘It's not a straight switch between the medicines.’
The challenges become greater when patients need to move between stimulant classes, such as from lisdexamfetamine to methylphenidate.
‘I've seen people that have quite significant adverse effects after switching to lisdexamfetamine and a couple of days later being unable to function,’ she said. ‘Even though we know someone might be getting a positive effect from stimulants, it doesn't mean it's going to be the same for all stimulants.’
Where stimulant options become unavailable, non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (off-label) can provide alternative management pathways.
‘These non-stimulant options have really good evidence [of efficacy], but they're probably underutilised,' Ms Anderson said. ‘When we do come to another significant shortage, there's only a handful of stimulant medicines – so we need to be able to talk to patients about other options.’
Learn more about supporting patients through ADHD medicine shortages by attending the ADHD care Session at PSA26, held from 31 July to 2 August at the ICC in Sydney.
[post_title] => How to manage ADHD medicine shortages
[post_excerpt] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before ADHD medicine shortages strike again.
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[post_content] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
Kelly Abbott MPS was awarded 2026 PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding contribution to consultant pharmacy practice and passion for improving patient care throughout her hometown of Gippsland, Victoria.
Tiernan McDonough MPS, based in South Australia, was named 2026 PSA AMH Aged Care Pharmacist of the Year for excellence, leadership, and innovation in aged care pharmacy.
Tireless HMR advocate
Highly regarded across the industry for her work in delivering Home Medicines Reviews, Residential Medication Management Reviews, and providing Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services, Ms Abbott’s 15 years of service to consultant pharmacy make her a well-deserving winner of this year’s award.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Ms Abbott epitomises many credentialed pharmacists as a passionate and relentless advocate for HMRs, her patients, and the greater credentialed pharmacist workforce.
‘Kelly has continued to be actively involved in grassroots advocacy, notably in recent months during the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement negotiations led by PSA, ensuring the voices of frontline pharmacists and patients were heard,’ he said.
‘Kelly is a loyal, responsive, and reliable contributor to PSA and the Consultant Pharmacist of Australia working groups, while balancing multiple professional roles and caring for her family.
‘Her contributions to PSA and the profession are honourable. We are proud to recognise Kelly as the PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year and celebrate her significant and ongoing impact.’
Aged care champion
Mr McDonough has been recognised for his ongoing dedication and commitment to aged care pharmacy practice through his support for residents and healthcare teams in delivering medication reviews and QUM services.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Mr McDonough embodies the essential role pharmacists play in aged care.
‘Pharmacists working in aged care are critical to ensuring safe and effective medicines use, but Tiernan’s impact extends beyond the aged care sector in which he practices,’ he said.
‘Tiernan has led an important mentoring program that connects pharmacists within the residential aged care profession, to reduce professional isolation and support further workforce development.
‘His work demonstrates his compassion, leadership, and strong drive for improving care for older Australians.’
[post_title] => Consultant pharmacist excellence awarded
[post_excerpt] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
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[post_content] => Honey may offer safer, more effective and yummier cough relief than many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
As winter inches closer, pharmacists are seeing more patients seeking relief from coughs associated with cold and flu season, often asking for an OTC cough syrup or suppressant, or the Pharmacist Only medicine dihydrocodeine (Rikodeine).
But mounting evidence suggests the best therapeutic recommendation might come from the pantry rather than the dispensary.
1. Efficacy and safety of cough medicine called into question
The evidence for oral OTC cough preparations for acute cough is, at best, inconclusive – with clinical trials failing to demonstrate efficacy.
Cough medicines are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age, and use in older children discouraged – with product labels emphasising they should only be used in children aged 6–11 on the advice of a health professional (e.g. pharmacist, nurse, medical practitioner).
They should only be considered if the benefit of their use outweighs the risk, noting that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review that informed these changes highlighted significant safety and efficacy concerns.
Cough medicines are also not appropriate for many adult patients due to medicine interactions, risk of abuse, adverse effects, and other co-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Additionally, the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) advises against combination cough products that mix an antitussive with an expectorant, an antihistamine, or both.
These products tend to contain subtherapeutic doses of each ingredient, and can increase the risk of adverse effects without adding meaningful therapeutic benefit.
2. Honey goes down more than a treat
Most acute coughs are self-limiting, and non-pharmacological management can be recommended, with the aim of chronic cough management being identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Honey is often the superior clinical choice if symptomatic relief is needed. According to the APF, honey relieves cough symptoms in children better than no treatment or placebo, acting as a demulcent by forming a soothing, bioadhesive film over irritated pharyngeal mucosa to blunt the sensory tickle that triggers a cough.
Interestingly, it is thought that the high placebo response seen in trials of cough medicines may be related to the demulcent content (or syrup) of the cough mixture.
A 2022 systematic review found honey to be an effective treatment for cough in children above 12 months of age, with a 2010 randomised controlled trial even finding it to be more effective than dextromethorphan or diphenhydramine at relieving nocturnal cough in children related to upper respiratory tract infections.
The 2023 Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA) Australian Chronic Cough Position Statement Update also strongly recommends minimising the use of other medications for nonspecific or refractory cough in children other than demulcents (i.e. honey).
While honey is a safe first-line recommendation for many patients, including children, it must not be given to infants under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism from Clostridium botulinum spores.
Demulcents like honey are also a safe treatment option for:
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[post_content] => The combination of an award wage rise and pay equity increase is set to deliver a meaningful lift in pharmacist remuneration.
Pharmacists are in line for a pay boost. AP investigates the drivers set to lift wages from 1 July.
Strong award wage increase
Pharmacists employed by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 will experience their largest annual wage rise in years. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced the 2026 Annual Wage Review decision yesterday (2 June), increasing modern award minimum wages by 4.75% from 1 July.
The increase is lower than the 6% wage rise supported by unions, but higher than the rate proposed by employer and business groups.
Along with the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia advocated for a 3.5% wage increase, advising that this was the highest level businesses could accommodate.
However, the FWC’s decision was based on the challenges the nation is facing, including Reserve Bank interest rate tightening and the conflict in the Middle East.
In its decision, the FWC noted ‘ regrettably, … it is not practicable in the current uncertain circumstances to award a real wage increase for employees reliant on modern award wage rates that would be sufficient to close the real wage gap entirely’ compared to the post-pandemic inflation spike after July 2021.
‘I consistently hear from our members that remuneration is their number one concern, particularly given cost-of-living pressures,’ said PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS. ‘For many community pharmacists, who make up a significant proportion of our membership, the award increase feels long overdue.’
Year 2 of the gender undervaluation correction
In 2025, the FWC’s Expert Panel for pay equity in the care and community sector determined that pharmacists have been subject to a total of 14.1% gender-based undervaluation.
‘Last year's gender discrimination determination was so important in addressing longstanding discrimination in the award rate for pharmacists, which was found to be directly linked to the high proportion of the workforce that is female,’ Prof Naunton said.
The Expert Panel issued a determination that there will be a total increase in the minimum wage rates of 14.1% over 3 years, with the second increase set to take place on 30 June 2026.
As AP pointed out last year, not all pharmacists will see a direct pay rise. The award sets a remuneration level, and Fair Work data indicates around 12.7% of pharmacists are paid at award rates only – though the proportion is likely higher in community pharmacy, where collective agreements are less common than in the hospital sector.
While pharmacy interns will see another pay rise, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy students are not included, as their rates were not found to be undervalued.
‘We welcome the next stage of the gender discrimination increase to the Pharmacy Industry Award, which will take effect from 1 July, in addition to the 4.75% increase from the annual wage review,’ Prof Naunton added.
What will the new award hourly rate be?
The exact updated pay rates will be confirmed when the FWC publishes new pay guides ahead of 1 July.
And while the wage increase is a relief for many pharmacists, Prof Naunton said PSA also recognised that there are other members who are being left further behind financially.
‘We continue to fight to increase remuneration for pharmacists who provide medication review services, who have had no fee increase in 7 years,’ he added.
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[post_content] => Four of Australia’s leading health peak bodies have united in calling for investment in general practice pharmacists to make medicine use safer and strengthen multidisciplinary care.
Speaking at an inter-professional panel session at the 2026 GP Pharmacist Symposium today on the Gold Coast, presidents from PSA, Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association reinforced the clinical need and value of embedding pharmacists within general practice.
The session provided a real-life demonstration of cohesion, bringing together representatives from general practice, medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
Exploring how collaborative healthcare efforts can improve patient care, reduce pressure on hospitals and strengthen the primary care workforce, the panel was made up of extraordinary leaders, including:
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[post_content] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before the next shortage hits.
After several years of disruption, Australia's ADHD medicine supply has largely recovered. But the shortages of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) in 2023–24 and methylphenidate in 2025 exposed global supply chain vulnerabilities. With diagnosis rates rising, prescribing arrangements expanding and global manufacturing concentrated overseas, pharmacists may once again find themselves managing the fallout from supply interruptions.
[caption id="attachment_32071" align="alignright" width="300"] Yvette Anderson MPS[/caption]
Yvette Anderson MPS – founder of Spectrum Pharmacist, which sets out to bridge the gap for neurodivergent families – tells AP how preparation, collaboration and neuroaffirming care will be essential when the next shortage arrives.
A fragile recovery
The shortages that dominated ADHD care over the past 3 years have largely eased, Ms Anderson said.
‘Except for one particular strength of long-acting methylphenidate (30 mg), which is a bit hit and miss.’
However, the situation remains precarious.
Australia relies heavily on overseas manufacturing for ADHD medicines, with production historically concentrated in Ireland and Germany. Supply is also influenced by annual manufacturing quotas established by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which shape global production volumes for controlled substances.
When the Vyvanse patent expired in the United States in 2023, demand for generic lisdexamfetamine surged – rapidly straining international supply chains. More recently, scrutiny of DEA production quotas under the Make America Healthy Again policy framework contributed to a significant reduction in manufacturing, creating flow-on effects internationally.
Due to international uproar, production recommenced. ‘But it's still not probably at the rate and quantity needed globally, so we're always going to sit in a bit of a precarious area,’ Ms Anderson said.
Demand is surging
While supply remains vulnerable, Australia's ADHD treatment landscape is also undergoing significant change.
Initiation of ADHD medicines was largely restricted to paediatricians and psychiatrists. Now, most states and territories have introduced pathways that allow appropriately trained GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD medicines.
'A number of GPs in different states have either already been trained, or their state or territory has put laws in place to allow them to be trained to diagnose and prescribe medications,' Ms Anderson said.
Diagnosis rates are also increasing due to changes in diagnosis criteria. More accessible and affordable treatment pathways will help to ensure patients can receive timely access to care.
Importantly, diagnosis does not automatically lead to pharmacological treatment.
'Just because there is potentially going to be an increase in the number of Australians getting diagnosed, that number won't directly correlate to the same number of increasing supply of medication,' Ms Anderson said. 'Medication is only one tiny piece of your management plan, and for some people, medicines aren't the way they want to go, or they don't suit them, or find them effective,'
Nevertheless, more diagnoses and more prescribers are likely to increase demand for medicines supplied through already fragile global supply chains.
Is it possible to get ahead of shortages?
Yes, and no.
Ms Anderson encourages pharmacies to establish systems that allow them to identify and respond to potential disruptions early. This includes monitoring Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) medicine shortage alerts.
Once a shortage is identified, pharmacies can use dispensing records to determine which patients may be affected and begin discussions with prescribers before supplies run out.
‘It's a matter of looking at who the prescribers are and reaching out to them and saying, “The TGA has alerted us to this. We know you have a number of patients on this medication. What can we do as a collaborative to support this transition and this shortage period?”’ Ms Anderson said.
As a hospital pharmacist, she was able to pass on information about ADHD medicine shortages to paediatricians – who opened telehealth appointments to turn scripts around quickly.
‘I also communicated with the community pharmacies in my area to ask: Who has stock? Who doesn't? Can we redirect patients?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘Working together as a community, making sure you're embedded in that multidisciplinary team really pays off when there are medication shortages.’
Switching medicines safely
When ADHD medicines are in short supply, patients may need to adjust their medicines; so it’s crucial to be aware of the various formulations, durations of action and release characteristics of different stimulant products.
‘If someone's stabilised on Ritalin, they may go on Ritalin LA or Concerta – but Concerta's duration of action is longer and Ritalin LA's is shorter – so we need to be considering: does this person work through to 6.00 pm? Do we need some immediate release on top of that?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘It's not a straight switch between the medicines.’
The challenges become greater when patients need to move between stimulant classes, such as from lisdexamfetamine to methylphenidate.
‘I've seen people that have quite significant adverse effects after switching to lisdexamfetamine and a couple of days later being unable to function,’ she said. ‘Even though we know someone might be getting a positive effect from stimulants, it doesn't mean it's going to be the same for all stimulants.’
Where stimulant options become unavailable, non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (off-label) can provide alternative management pathways.
‘These non-stimulant options have really good evidence [of efficacy], but they're probably underutilised,' Ms Anderson said. ‘When we do come to another significant shortage, there's only a handful of stimulant medicines – so we need to be able to talk to patients about other options.’
Learn more about supporting patients through ADHD medicine shortages by attending the ADHD care Session at PSA26, held from 31 July to 2 August at the ICC in Sydney.
[post_title] => How to manage ADHD medicine shortages
[post_excerpt] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before ADHD medicine shortages strike again.
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[post_content] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
Kelly Abbott MPS was awarded 2026 PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding contribution to consultant pharmacy practice and passion for improving patient care throughout her hometown of Gippsland, Victoria.
Tiernan McDonough MPS, based in South Australia, was named 2026 PSA AMH Aged Care Pharmacist of the Year for excellence, leadership, and innovation in aged care pharmacy.
Tireless HMR advocate
Highly regarded across the industry for her work in delivering Home Medicines Reviews, Residential Medication Management Reviews, and providing Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services, Ms Abbott’s 15 years of service to consultant pharmacy make her a well-deserving winner of this year’s award.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Ms Abbott epitomises many credentialed pharmacists as a passionate and relentless advocate for HMRs, her patients, and the greater credentialed pharmacist workforce.
‘Kelly has continued to be actively involved in grassroots advocacy, notably in recent months during the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement negotiations led by PSA, ensuring the voices of frontline pharmacists and patients were heard,’ he said.
‘Kelly is a loyal, responsive, and reliable contributor to PSA and the Consultant Pharmacist of Australia working groups, while balancing multiple professional roles and caring for her family.
‘Her contributions to PSA and the profession are honourable. We are proud to recognise Kelly as the PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year and celebrate her significant and ongoing impact.’
Aged care champion
Mr McDonough has been recognised for his ongoing dedication and commitment to aged care pharmacy practice through his support for residents and healthcare teams in delivering medication reviews and QUM services.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Mr McDonough embodies the essential role pharmacists play in aged care.
‘Pharmacists working in aged care are critical to ensuring safe and effective medicines use, but Tiernan’s impact extends beyond the aged care sector in which he practices,’ he said.
‘Tiernan has led an important mentoring program that connects pharmacists within the residential aged care profession, to reduce professional isolation and support further workforce development.
‘His work demonstrates his compassion, leadership, and strong drive for improving care for older Australians.’
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[post_content] => Honey may offer safer, more effective and yummier cough relief than many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
As winter inches closer, pharmacists are seeing more patients seeking relief from coughs associated with cold and flu season, often asking for an OTC cough syrup or suppressant, or the Pharmacist Only medicine dihydrocodeine (Rikodeine).
But mounting evidence suggests the best therapeutic recommendation might come from the pantry rather than the dispensary.
1. Efficacy and safety of cough medicine called into question
The evidence for oral OTC cough preparations for acute cough is, at best, inconclusive – with clinical trials failing to demonstrate efficacy.
Cough medicines are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age, and use in older children discouraged – with product labels emphasising they should only be used in children aged 6–11 on the advice of a health professional (e.g. pharmacist, nurse, medical practitioner).
They should only be considered if the benefit of their use outweighs the risk, noting that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review that informed these changes highlighted significant safety and efficacy concerns.
Cough medicines are also not appropriate for many adult patients due to medicine interactions, risk of abuse, adverse effects, and other co-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Additionally, the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) advises against combination cough products that mix an antitussive with an expectorant, an antihistamine, or both.
These products tend to contain subtherapeutic doses of each ingredient, and can increase the risk of adverse effects without adding meaningful therapeutic benefit.
2. Honey goes down more than a treat
Most acute coughs are self-limiting, and non-pharmacological management can be recommended, with the aim of chronic cough management being identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Honey is often the superior clinical choice if symptomatic relief is needed. According to the APF, honey relieves cough symptoms in children better than no treatment or placebo, acting as a demulcent by forming a soothing, bioadhesive film over irritated pharyngeal mucosa to blunt the sensory tickle that triggers a cough.
Interestingly, it is thought that the high placebo response seen in trials of cough medicines may be related to the demulcent content (or syrup) of the cough mixture.
A 2022 systematic review found honey to be an effective treatment for cough in children above 12 months of age, with a 2010 randomised controlled trial even finding it to be more effective than dextromethorphan or diphenhydramine at relieving nocturnal cough in children related to upper respiratory tract infections.
The 2023 Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA) Australian Chronic Cough Position Statement Update also strongly recommends minimising the use of other medications for nonspecific or refractory cough in children other than demulcents (i.e. honey).
While honey is a safe first-line recommendation for many patients, including children, it must not be given to infants under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism from Clostridium botulinum spores.
Demulcents like honey are also a safe treatment option for:
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[post_content] => The combination of an award wage rise and pay equity increase is set to deliver a meaningful lift in pharmacist remuneration.
Pharmacists are in line for a pay boost. AP investigates the drivers set to lift wages from 1 July.
Strong award wage increase
Pharmacists employed by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 will experience their largest annual wage rise in years. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced the 2026 Annual Wage Review decision yesterday (2 June), increasing modern award minimum wages by 4.75% from 1 July.
The increase is lower than the 6% wage rise supported by unions, but higher than the rate proposed by employer and business groups.
Along with the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia advocated for a 3.5% wage increase, advising that this was the highest level businesses could accommodate.
However, the FWC’s decision was based on the challenges the nation is facing, including Reserve Bank interest rate tightening and the conflict in the Middle East.
In its decision, the FWC noted ‘ regrettably, … it is not practicable in the current uncertain circumstances to award a real wage increase for employees reliant on modern award wage rates that would be sufficient to close the real wage gap entirely’ compared to the post-pandemic inflation spike after July 2021.
‘I consistently hear from our members that remuneration is their number one concern, particularly given cost-of-living pressures,’ said PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS. ‘For many community pharmacists, who make up a significant proportion of our membership, the award increase feels long overdue.’
Year 2 of the gender undervaluation correction
In 2025, the FWC’s Expert Panel for pay equity in the care and community sector determined that pharmacists have been subject to a total of 14.1% gender-based undervaluation.
‘Last year's gender discrimination determination was so important in addressing longstanding discrimination in the award rate for pharmacists, which was found to be directly linked to the high proportion of the workforce that is female,’ Prof Naunton said.
The Expert Panel issued a determination that there will be a total increase in the minimum wage rates of 14.1% over 3 years, with the second increase set to take place on 30 June 2026.
As AP pointed out last year, not all pharmacists will see a direct pay rise. The award sets a remuneration level, and Fair Work data indicates around 12.7% of pharmacists are paid at award rates only – though the proportion is likely higher in community pharmacy, where collective agreements are less common than in the hospital sector.
While pharmacy interns will see another pay rise, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy students are not included, as their rates were not found to be undervalued.
‘We welcome the next stage of the gender discrimination increase to the Pharmacy Industry Award, which will take effect from 1 July, in addition to the 4.75% increase from the annual wage review,’ Prof Naunton added.
What will the new award hourly rate be?
The exact updated pay rates will be confirmed when the FWC publishes new pay guides ahead of 1 July.
And while the wage increase is a relief for many pharmacists, Prof Naunton said PSA also recognised that there are other members who are being left further behind financially.
‘We continue to fight to increase remuneration for pharmacists who provide medication review services, who have had no fee increase in 7 years,’ he added.
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[title_attribute] => Pharmacists in line for pay increase
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[post_content] => Four of Australia’s leading health peak bodies have united in calling for investment in general practice pharmacists to make medicine use safer and strengthen multidisciplinary care.
Speaking at an inter-professional panel session at the 2026 GP Pharmacist Symposium today on the Gold Coast, presidents from PSA, Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association reinforced the clinical need and value of embedding pharmacists within general practice.
The session provided a real-life demonstration of cohesion, bringing together representatives from general practice, medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
Exploring how collaborative healthcare efforts can improve patient care, reduce pressure on hospitals and strengthen the primary care workforce, the panel was made up of extraordinary leaders, including:
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[post_content] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before the next shortage hits.
After several years of disruption, Australia's ADHD medicine supply has largely recovered. But the shortages of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) in 2023–24 and methylphenidate in 2025 exposed global supply chain vulnerabilities. With diagnosis rates rising, prescribing arrangements expanding and global manufacturing concentrated overseas, pharmacists may once again find themselves managing the fallout from supply interruptions.
[caption id="attachment_32071" align="alignright" width="300"] Yvette Anderson MPS[/caption]
Yvette Anderson MPS – founder of Spectrum Pharmacist, which sets out to bridge the gap for neurodivergent families – tells AP how preparation, collaboration and neuroaffirming care will be essential when the next shortage arrives.
A fragile recovery
The shortages that dominated ADHD care over the past 3 years have largely eased, Ms Anderson said.
‘Except for one particular strength of long-acting methylphenidate (30 mg), which is a bit hit and miss.’
However, the situation remains precarious.
Australia relies heavily on overseas manufacturing for ADHD medicines, with production historically concentrated in Ireland and Germany. Supply is also influenced by annual manufacturing quotas established by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which shape global production volumes for controlled substances.
When the Vyvanse patent expired in the United States in 2023, demand for generic lisdexamfetamine surged – rapidly straining international supply chains. More recently, scrutiny of DEA production quotas under the Make America Healthy Again policy framework contributed to a significant reduction in manufacturing, creating flow-on effects internationally.
Due to international uproar, production recommenced. ‘But it's still not probably at the rate and quantity needed globally, so we're always going to sit in a bit of a precarious area,’ Ms Anderson said.
Demand is surging
While supply remains vulnerable, Australia's ADHD treatment landscape is also undergoing significant change.
Initiation of ADHD medicines was largely restricted to paediatricians and psychiatrists. Now, most states and territories have introduced pathways that allow appropriately trained GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD medicines.
'A number of GPs in different states have either already been trained, or their state or territory has put laws in place to allow them to be trained to diagnose and prescribe medications,' Ms Anderson said.
Diagnosis rates are also increasing due to changes in diagnosis criteria. More accessible and affordable treatment pathways will help to ensure patients can receive timely access to care.
Importantly, diagnosis does not automatically lead to pharmacological treatment.
'Just because there is potentially going to be an increase in the number of Australians getting diagnosed, that number won't directly correlate to the same number of increasing supply of medication,' Ms Anderson said. 'Medication is only one tiny piece of your management plan, and for some people, medicines aren't the way they want to go, or they don't suit them, or find them effective,'
Nevertheless, more diagnoses and more prescribers are likely to increase demand for medicines supplied through already fragile global supply chains.
Is it possible to get ahead of shortages?
Yes, and no.
Ms Anderson encourages pharmacies to establish systems that allow them to identify and respond to potential disruptions early. This includes monitoring Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) medicine shortage alerts.
Once a shortage is identified, pharmacies can use dispensing records to determine which patients may be affected and begin discussions with prescribers before supplies run out.
‘It's a matter of looking at who the prescribers are and reaching out to them and saying, “The TGA has alerted us to this. We know you have a number of patients on this medication. What can we do as a collaborative to support this transition and this shortage period?”’ Ms Anderson said.
As a hospital pharmacist, she was able to pass on information about ADHD medicine shortages to paediatricians – who opened telehealth appointments to turn scripts around quickly.
‘I also communicated with the community pharmacies in my area to ask: Who has stock? Who doesn't? Can we redirect patients?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘Working together as a community, making sure you're embedded in that multidisciplinary team really pays off when there are medication shortages.’
Switching medicines safely
When ADHD medicines are in short supply, patients may need to adjust their medicines; so it’s crucial to be aware of the various formulations, durations of action and release characteristics of different stimulant products.
‘If someone's stabilised on Ritalin, they may go on Ritalin LA or Concerta – but Concerta's duration of action is longer and Ritalin LA's is shorter – so we need to be considering: does this person work through to 6.00 pm? Do we need some immediate release on top of that?’ Ms Anderson said. ‘It's not a straight switch between the medicines.’
The challenges become greater when patients need to move between stimulant classes, such as from lisdexamfetamine to methylphenidate.
‘I've seen people that have quite significant adverse effects after switching to lisdexamfetamine and a couple of days later being unable to function,’ she said. ‘Even though we know someone might be getting a positive effect from stimulants, it doesn't mean it's going to be the same for all stimulants.’
Where stimulant options become unavailable, non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (off-label) can provide alternative management pathways.
‘These non-stimulant options have really good evidence [of efficacy], but they're probably underutilised,' Ms Anderson said. ‘When we do come to another significant shortage, there's only a handful of stimulant medicines – so we need to be able to talk to patients about other options.’
Learn more about supporting patients through ADHD medicine shortages by attending the ADHD care Session at PSA26, held from 31 July to 2 August at the ICC in Sydney.
[post_title] => How to manage ADHD medicine shortages
[post_excerpt] => Australia's ADHD medicine supply has stabilised – for now. Here’s what pharmacists need to know before ADHD medicine shortages strike again.
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[post_content] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
Kelly Abbott MPS was awarded 2026 PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding contribution to consultant pharmacy practice and passion for improving patient care throughout her hometown of Gippsland, Victoria.
Tiernan McDonough MPS, based in South Australia, was named 2026 PSA AMH Aged Care Pharmacist of the Year for excellence, leadership, and innovation in aged care pharmacy.
Tireless HMR advocate
Highly regarded across the industry for her work in delivering Home Medicines Reviews, Residential Medication Management Reviews, and providing Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services, Ms Abbott’s 15 years of service to consultant pharmacy make her a well-deserving winner of this year’s award.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Ms Abbott epitomises many credentialed pharmacists as a passionate and relentless advocate for HMRs, her patients, and the greater credentialed pharmacist workforce.
‘Kelly has continued to be actively involved in grassroots advocacy, notably in recent months during the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement negotiations led by PSA, ensuring the voices of frontline pharmacists and patients were heard,’ he said.
‘Kelly is a loyal, responsive, and reliable contributor to PSA and the Consultant Pharmacist of Australia working groups, while balancing multiple professional roles and caring for her family.
‘Her contributions to PSA and the profession are honourable. We are proud to recognise Kelly as the PSA MIMS Consultant Pharmacist of the Year and celebrate her significant and ongoing impact.’
Aged care champion
Mr McDonough has been recognised for his ongoing dedication and commitment to aged care pharmacy practice through his support for residents and healthcare teams in delivering medication reviews and QUM services.
PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Mr McDonough embodies the essential role pharmacists play in aged care.
‘Pharmacists working in aged care are critical to ensuring safe and effective medicines use, but Tiernan’s impact extends beyond the aged care sector in which he practices,’ he said.
‘Tiernan has led an important mentoring program that connects pharmacists within the residential aged care profession, to reduce professional isolation and support further workforce development.
‘His work demonstrates his compassion, leadership, and strong drive for improving care for older Australians.’
[post_title] => Consultant pharmacist excellence awarded
[post_excerpt] => Two pharmacists were honoured at PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Conference (CPC26), held from 29–31 May 2026 on the Gold Coast.
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[post_content] => Honey may offer safer, more effective and yummier cough relief than many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
As winter inches closer, pharmacists are seeing more patients seeking relief from coughs associated with cold and flu season, often asking for an OTC cough syrup or suppressant, or the Pharmacist Only medicine dihydrocodeine (Rikodeine).
But mounting evidence suggests the best therapeutic recommendation might come from the pantry rather than the dispensary.
1. Efficacy and safety of cough medicine called into question
The evidence for oral OTC cough preparations for acute cough is, at best, inconclusive – with clinical trials failing to demonstrate efficacy.
Cough medicines are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age, and use in older children discouraged – with product labels emphasising they should only be used in children aged 6–11 on the advice of a health professional (e.g. pharmacist, nurse, medical practitioner).
They should only be considered if the benefit of their use outweighs the risk, noting that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review that informed these changes highlighted significant safety and efficacy concerns.
Cough medicines are also not appropriate for many adult patients due to medicine interactions, risk of abuse, adverse effects, and other co-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Additionally, the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) advises against combination cough products that mix an antitussive with an expectorant, an antihistamine, or both.
These products tend to contain subtherapeutic doses of each ingredient, and can increase the risk of adverse effects without adding meaningful therapeutic benefit.
2. Honey goes down more than a treat
Most acute coughs are self-limiting, and non-pharmacological management can be recommended, with the aim of chronic cough management being identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Honey is often the superior clinical choice if symptomatic relief is needed. According to the APF, honey relieves cough symptoms in children better than no treatment or placebo, acting as a demulcent by forming a soothing, bioadhesive film over irritated pharyngeal mucosa to blunt the sensory tickle that triggers a cough.
Interestingly, it is thought that the high placebo response seen in trials of cough medicines may be related to the demulcent content (or syrup) of the cough mixture.
A 2022 systematic review found honey to be an effective treatment for cough in children above 12 months of age, with a 2010 randomised controlled trial even finding it to be more effective than dextromethorphan or diphenhydramine at relieving nocturnal cough in children related to upper respiratory tract infections.
The 2023 Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA) Australian Chronic Cough Position Statement Update also strongly recommends minimising the use of other medications for nonspecific or refractory cough in children other than demulcents (i.e. honey).
While honey is a safe first-line recommendation for many patients, including children, it must not be given to infants under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism from Clostridium botulinum spores.
Demulcents like honey are also a safe treatment option for:
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Australian Pharmacist is the official journal for Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
