PSA24: South Australian pharmacist’s lifetime of service honoured on national stage
2 August 2024
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today recognised Adelaide pharmacist Peter Halstead with the 2024 PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award presented at PSA’s national conference in Sydney.
Over his 40-year long career, Peter Halstead has made a sustained contribution to the pharmacy profession and associated organisations, dedicating himself to developing and advancing Australian pharmacy practice. Through these activities, Peter has made a significant contribution to patient care. He has been an advisor, mentor and friend to many members of our profession and epitomises the values of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
After graduating in 1980, Mr Halstead practised as a community pharmacist and was instrumental in developing new areas of practice and became a pharmacist adviser to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Drug and Alcohol Services and The Family Planning Unit at SHINE SA.
In 1996, Peter joined the School of Pharmacy as a research fellow involved with Professor Andy Gilbert and others in the development of new pharmacist roles, particularly in Aged Care services.
In the period 2000 to 2001, Peter was the Education Officer of the Pharmacy Board of South Australia and from 2001 to 2010 he was the Registrar of the Board, a position which he held with distinction until the formation of the National Pharmacy Board. During his tenure, Peter developed and implemented systems and procedures that allowed the formal assessment of the competency of recent graduates and others seeking registration as pharmacists in South Australia.
Peter was a Director of the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) from 1996 to 2010 and since 2010 has been the Senior Pharmacist for the APC involved in the development of assessment processes for intern pharmacists as well as pharmacists from overseas seeking registration with the National Pharmacy Board. He actively supported many overseas pharmacists who were going through the formal process of seeking registration and became a mentor to many.
Peter was appointed as the General Manager of the Pharmacy Regulation Authority, South Australia (PRASA) in 2010, a position he held for 12 years until his recent retirement. During this period, he continued to engage with the Pharmacy Board of Australia on many issues affecting Australian pharmacy practice.
Presenting the award, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim said: “Peter Halstead is a most deserving recipient of the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award.”
“Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Mr Halstead has made enormous and sustained contributions to the pharmacy profession, dedicating himself to developing and advancing Australian pharmacy practice. His work continues to influence our profession every day.
“On behalf of the pharmacy profession, I congratulate Mr Halstead on receiving the 2024 PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.
