PSA appoints new National President, doubles-down on increased roles, recognition and remuneration for pharmacists

The Board of PSA has unanimously appointed Dr Chris Freeman as National President of the peak body for pharmacists, following the decision by Dr Shane Jackson to stand down from the presidency to focus on immediate family challenges that have recently emerged.

 

Dr Freeman has a PhD in Pharmacy Practice and a diverse pharmacy background, having worked in hospital and community-settings, as well as academia and general practice during the past 15 years. He has served as PSA National Vice President since July 2016.

 

“It is a privilege to lead the PSA at a time when pharmacists are increasingly recognised as medicines experts and custodians of the Quality Use of Medicines agenda,” Dr Freeman said.

 

He paid tribute to the “energy and enthusiasm that Shane brought to the role of National President” and confirmed that “the PSA will double-down on its efforts to increase the roles, recognition and remuneration of pharmacists across Australia”.

 

Dr Jackson will remain on the PSA Board as Vice President and Chair of the Policy & Advocacy Committee. He said that “leading the PSA has been a great pleasure and honour, however for the immediate future I need to spend a little less time on planes and more time at home in Tasmania”.

 

“I thank all PSA members and staff for their support and commitment to the profession. I look forward to leading PSA’s approach to the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement negotiations, alongside our Pharmacists in 2023 strategy in the year ahead,” Dr Jackson added.

 

Like Dr Jackson, the new PSA National President is an advocate for embedding pharmacists wherever medicines are used, empowering pharmacists to manage medicine use over the long-term, and equipping pharmacists to enhance community access to health services.

 

Dr Freeman considers general practice and residential aged care as exciting career paths for pharmacists alongside community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy practice. He currently works as a consultant pharmacist at Camp Hill Healthcare medical centre in Brisbane and as a lecturer at the University of Queensland.

 

“Shane and I are cut from the same cloth. We both want to see pharmacists practicing to full scope and this ambition will continue to drive the PSA forward,” Dr Freeman said.

 

“The PSA Board, branch committees and management team are resolute in our determination to unlock opportunities for pharmacists to realise their full potential,” he said.

 

“Our advocacy and policy work will intensify next year as we focus on CPA negotiations and extending political support for the recommendations contained in our Pharmacists in 2023 Action Plan.”

 

-ENDS-

Media contact:   

Jarryd Luke
Senior Communications Officer
0487 922 176