Department announces transition plan, PSA launches credential offer and Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year awarded.

The second annual Credentialed Pharmacist Conference CPC24 took place in Cairns over the weekend (3–5 May 2024), bringing together hundreds of pharmacists and leaders in the field who share a common purpose – to deliver accessible medication management reviews (MMRs) and medicines advice to those who need it most.

Delegates heard from Australia’s leading experts about the current and future challenges facing the nation’s health system, and delved deeper into where and how pharmacists can contribute to a stronger, healthier nation.

To recap the conference, Australian Pharmacist has shared some highlights and images from CPC24. See if you can spot your colleagues in the crowd!

Credentialed pharmacist of the year announced

Victorian GP Pharmacist, pharmacist immuniser, and champion of multidisciplinary care Brooke Shelly MPS was named PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year at CPC24.

A PSA Victorian Branch Committee member and advocate for the role of pharmacists in general practice, Ms Shelly has a focus addressing the rural health equity gap and the benefits of team-based care. For the past 4 years she has consulted at the Ontario Medical Clinic General Practice in Mildura, conducts Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs), works as a Senior Clinical Pharmacist at Beyond Pain and has developed and implemented new multidisciplinary models of care for aged care facilities in her region. 

With a Graduate Diploma of Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Ms Shelly also champions diversification of the traditional pharmacist role in her continued advocacy of GP Pharmacist collaborative prescribing to improve timely access to care for rural patients. 

Accepting her award, Ms Shelly told of her passion for her role and also led workshops on optimising outcomes from HMRs and the challenges of conducting medicine reviews in rural and remote locations.

‘Working in a multidisciplinary team profoundly impacts patient health outcomes but also enriches my own experience as a pharmacist,’ she told AP. ‘What’s not to love about that?’

Presenting the award to Ms Shelly, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS  highlighted the widespread systemic impact her leadership and contribution has had.

‘Brooke is a trailblazer when it comes to highlighting the roles of credentialed pharmacists in medication management reviews wherever medicines are used,” A/Prof Sim said.

‘[She] is a leading national voice for this workforce, where she continues to make significant contributions to the development of credentialed pharmacy through her own practice and as a mentor and facilitator of discussions and support.’

PSA announces package of support for credentialed pharmacists

PSA has announced a comprehensive membership package to support credentialed pharmacists through the transition to new credentials, and beyond.

Opening CPC24 on Friday, A/Prof Sim announced the full membership package including dedicated resources and support for credentialed pharmacists, as well as dedicated education opportunities to continue developing practice throughout their careers.​

This membership offering comes in addition to the announcement of the MMR recognition of prior learning pathway (pending accreditation by the Australian Pharmacy Council), allowing qualified pharmacists to transition to the new credential by completing a short bridging assessment or providing evidence of prior learning.

PSA Professional Plus members will have access to MMR RPL at no cost, and an exclusive discount on RPL for the aged care credential, which is a requirement to practise in the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist program.

‘PSA is and always will be the home of credentialed pharmacists,’ said A/Prof Sim.

‘When AACP closed, PSA chose to invest – rather than divest – in this part of the profession. We continued the tradition of a dedicated conference for accredited pharmacists, now called the Credentialed Pharmacist Conference. 

‘We brought on trusted and talented leaders and built a team at the PSA to continue to deliver good work to support our credentialed pharmacist workforce.’

PSA also established in-house accreditation services, a public directory, and are currently undergoing accreditation of the credentialing process for MMRs and Aged Care, which is set to recognise the experience of practising consultant pharmacists free of charge for PSA Professional Plus members, making the transition more affordable and accessible.

‘Professional Plus members also benefit from free access to PSA’s Aged Care Foundations Course – built by some of Australia’s pioneering aged care pharmacists and covering the essential topics for effective practice in aged care,’ said A/Prof Sim.

‘In addition to education, PSA’s support for credentialed pharmacists is also growing, including access to PSA’s regular Clinical Update, which is a must-read that helps keep credentialed pharmacists on top of emerging clinical evidence from around the world, as well as discounts to all PSA conferences, including CPC25.

‘PSA’s full suite of support is a testament to our commitment to credentialed pharmacists, unmatched by any other organisation at present. I am proud that PSA continues to be the home for credentialed pharmacists.’