The PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant returns for a fourth consecutive year

19 March 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today recognises National Close the Gap Day and commits to supporting workforce participation across the pharmacy profession for First Nations Australians.

In upholding this commitment, the PSA is delighted to announce that expressions of interest for the 2026 PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant are now open for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacists, interns, and pharmacy students.

2026 marks the fourth year of the PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant, which is awarded to one or more Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacists, interns, and/or pharmacy students to attend PSA’s national conference, PSA26 – the Home of Pharmacists, taking place from Friday, 31 July to Sunday, 2 August 2026 at ICC Sydney.

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, is passionate about supporting the participation of First Nations Australians in the pharmacy profession and the greater healthcare sector.

“The PSA is proud to honour Professor McMillan in this way, offering the grant for the fourth consecutive year,” said Professor Naunton.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples currently make up 0.3% of the pharmacy profession. It is crucial that we recognise and support the representation of First Nations Australians in our profession.

“The PSA is dedicated to increasing the health workforce participation of First Nations Australians to better meet the healthcare needs of these communities.”

Professor Faye McMillan AM FPS, a Wiradjuri yinaa (Wiradjuri woman) originally from Trangie, NSW, is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian to hold a Western degree in pharmacy.

“I am deeply honoured to have my name associated with the 2026 PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant. This year carries special significance for me as I honour my mum Robyn, whose unwavering love and belief in my journey continue to guide me,” Professor McMillan said.

“This grant opens doors for early career pharmacists and pharmacy students to deepen their professional networks, strengthen their confidence, and feel a sense of belonging within our profession, something my mum championed in her own quiet, steadfast way.

“By supporting this grant, we continue our shared commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity in healthcare. It is a reminder that when we invest in people, we build a profession and a system capable of caring for all communities.”

To submit an expression of interest for the 2026 PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant, please see the form available here

From L to R 

The recipients of the 2025 PSA Faye McMillan Conference Grant, Lucinda Adamson, Samantha Forrest, Shi-Anne Wallace, and Peter Cradick, are pictured with PSA immediate past president, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS. 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@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. 

‘A step forward for equity’; PSA welcomes women’s health pilot

13 March 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed today’s announcement of a national women’s health pilot, which will improve access to contraception and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).

As announced this morning by the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, women between the ages of 18-55 will be able to access these medicines for the same price as they would cost on prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) when prescribed by a trained pharmacist.

Announced at the Australasian Pharmacy Professional (APP) Conference, as part of the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), the 12-month pilot program will commence in January 2027.

PSA’s National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said today’s announcement, part of the 8CPA between the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Commonwealth, will help ensure pharmacist care is more available to those who need it most:

“This is a step forward for equity. Pharmacists across Australia have been prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections for some time, and pharmacists have reported to us that for some consumers, cost is a real barrier to accessing this service,” he said.

“This program will mean that more women can access the health services they need, when they need them most.”

Prof Naunton said PSA would work with the government to continue removing barriers to women’s health services, including advocacy to standardise variation between jurisdictions that unnecessarily complicate and lead to inconsistency in service delivery between states and territories:

“We currently have eight different protocols for pharmacist prescribing for uncomplicated UTIs in place across the country, as well as several different protocols for prescribing of hormonal contraception.

“This pilot will provide an opportunity to remove this duplication and inefficiency through adopting a nationwide approach.

“We will continue to impress the need for better standardisation of the treatment guidelines, which could be achieved by adopting the uncomplicated UTI treatment guidelines in the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook, for example.”

PSA will continue to provide support for pharmacists through professional support, including practice advice and support via the member-exclusive Pharmacist-to-Pharmacist advice line.

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@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. 

Pharmacists support national kidney emergency response

12 March 2026

On World Kidney Day, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Australia’s peak body for pharmacists, has thrown its support behind Kidney Health Australia as it unveils its mandate for urgent action to change the trajectory of kidney disease in Australia. 

PSA representatives were among the 140 stakeholders who joined the inaugural National Kidney Summit in October and contributed to the development of Kidney Code Red: The Response. 

Pharmacists play a key role in detecting and preventing chronic kidney disease, which affects one in seven Australians, with more than 2.5 million people unaware they are living with signs of the incurable disease. 

Often using Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs -where a credentialed pharmacist reviews and potentially adjusts the medications a person is taking) as a critical screening and diagnostic tool, pharmacists ensure the safe and effective use of medicines to support healthy kidney function. 

“The latest national statistics from Kidney Health Australia are very sobering and, as frontline health professionals, we are seeing the growing incidence and consequences of kidney disease every day,” said PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS.  

“However, as Kidney Health Australia has demonstrated in its landmark report, there are several levers available that could rapidly improve patient outcomes, and pharmacists look forward to working with other health professionals to eliminate the incidence of kidney disease as quickly and effectively as we can. 

“Home Medicine Reviews, which need to be uncapped from the current 30 per month limit, are one of the best tools we have to make rapid interventions.” 

Credentialed pharmacist, Tim Perry FPS, said spending time in a HMR with a 53-year-old male patient with rapidly declining kidney function was critical. 

“He was not exactly engaged initially, but he listened with a bit more interest when I pointed out that everything is connected- diabetes, heart, kidneys. Sitting with him and showing him the steady decline in his kidney function made him start to think more about his long-term health and what was really important to him,” said Mr Perry. 

“That initial Home Medicines Review was to review adherence, but led to a whole new medication regimen and, after several follow-ups (which are so crucial), saw his resolution go from ambivalent to increasingly positive about his long-term health. His commitment is now 100% – his kidney function is now stable, his diet has changed dramatically, and he now makes a point of taking his wife and dog for a walk when he gets home.” 

The full report can be accessed here.

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@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. 

PSA opens public consultation on the draft Code of Ethics for Pharmacists

11 March 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today opened public consultation on its draft revised Code of Ethics for Pharmacists following an eight-month best-practice development process.

The Code of Ethics is the fundamental resource that articulates the values of the pharmacy profession and the expected ethical standards of pharmacists, underpinning the professional practice of all Australian pharmacists.

The draft Code of Ethics maintains the structure and format of the current Code, while introducing new obligations related to integrity, collaboration and pharmacist wellbeing.

The Project Advisory Group Chair, Dr Ayomide Ogundipe MPS, was pleased to see the draft Code of Ethics progress to the public consultation phase.

“The revised Code of Ethics aims to support pharmacists better as they face increasingly complex ethical challenges, arising from their expanding scope of practice and broader societal changes,” Dr Ogundipe said.

“The Code adds in new obligations for pharmacists reflecting the wider breadth and depth of roles pharmacists now perform in our health care system.

“This is a revised Code for the profession, by the profession. I strongly encourage pharmacists to participate in this consultation and help make sure the Code we launch later this year represents the collective values of Australia’s pharmacists.”

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS reflected on the importance of the consultation for the profession:

“The Code of Ethics exists for pharmacists to approach their professional practice with integrity and care, and to guide us to deliver the best possible care for our patients and communities,” Professor Naunton said.

“Over the last decade, pharmacy practice has changed a lot. Our scope has grown, our roles have become more specialised, and the services we provide are more complex than ever.

“PSA is proud to be the custodian of this fundamental document for the profession, and I encourage all pharmacists to contribute to this consultation.”

The review of the Code of Ethics is one of the important elements of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice between the Albanese government and PSA, which was signed in June 2024. PSA acknowledges the Minister for Health and Ageing, Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for their support of the review.

The consultation period closes on Friday 17 April 2026.

The Code of Ethics for Pharmacists review is accessible here:

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@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. 

The pharmacy profession commences work on reviewing the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia

4 March 2026

The Pharmacy profession has commenced work on reviewing and updating the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia. This review is critical to modernising the standards that underpin safe, ethical, and effective pharmacist practice, describing the integrated knowledge, skills, and attributes required across a pharmacist’s career.

The review of the National Competency Standards Framework has been commissioned by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), through the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

Last reviewed in 2016, this project comes at a critical time, with rapid changes in the health landscape, including evolving scope of practice, advances in digital health and technology, and an increasing focus on sustainable healthcare.

The Review’s Project Advisory Group Chair, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, reflected on the importance of the competency standards for the profession:

“This review is timely and considers contemporary pharmacy practice and the evolving needs of the profession to serve our patients, communities, and health system. As pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to evolve, the revised framework reflects the professional expectations of modern pharmacy practice,” she said.

“The profession owns the Competency Standards, and the Competency Standards exist to serve the profession. We look forward to working closely with relevant stakeholders, including all pharmacy organisations, pharmacists across all areas of practice and consumer bodies, to ensure pharmacists remain supported in maintaining competence, planning meaningful CPD, and continuing their professional development throughout their careers.

“I’m delighted to have chaired the first Program Advisory Group kick-off meeting, bringing together a diverse, experienced and engaged representation of pharmacists, educators, students, researchers, First Nations, and consumer organisations. I strongly encourage all pharmacists to complete the survey and take an active step to influence the revision of our Competency Standards.”

As the project commences, PSA has launched a survey to inform the project. Pharmacists and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate by completing the survey and visiting the microsite. Feedback from this survey will inform the development of the first draft of the review. The survey will remain open until 17 April 2026.

The link to the National Competency Standards Framework review is available here. 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@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.

‘A big step forward, more steps yet to come’ PSA urges further removal of barriers to vaccination in Tasmania

2 March 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has strongly welcomed a significant step forward in access to vaccination in Tasmania following a broadening of the Tasmanian Authorised Pharmacist Immuniser and Program Guidelines, with pharmacist immunisers now able to initiate and administer a greater range of vaccines to children than ever before.

From today, children aged 2-5 years will be able to access their 2026 influenza vaccine from a pharmacist immuniser. Authorised pharmacist immunisers will also be able to initiate and administer a greater range of vaccines to children aged between five and ten years.

The PSA recognises these changes as a big step forward, and an important strategy to address declining vaccination rates in vulnerable and priority population groups. However, PSA is urging the government to go further in removing access barriers to vaccination by adopting the Australian Immunisation Handbook as the Tasmanian pharmacist immuniser formulary.

This call follows the Tasmanian government’s pre-election commitments and recent regulatory changes in South Australia and Queensland, permitting all vaccines to be initiated to individuals of all ages, consistent with the pharmacist immuniser’s personal scope of practice.

PSA’s Tasmanian President, Joanne Gross MPS, said that all vaccinators needed to be empowered to protect Tasmanians ahead of this winter:

“Last year was the deadliest influenza season in Australia this century. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all people aged 6 months and older. I strongly urge Tasmanians to be protected by influenza vaccination this winter,” she said.

“Pharmacists across Tasmania are really pleased by these improvements to access for childhood vaccination. Too often, we experience the frustration of parents who have needed to visit multiple vaccination providers to protect the whole family each year. These changes will largely remove this burden.”

These Guideline changes coincide with the introduction of an intranasal influenza vaccine (Flumist), which will be available for the first time in Australia this year:

“I know a lot of parents who will appreciate the option of a needle-free influenza vaccination for their child,” said Gross.

Ms Gross said PSA would work with the government to continue removing barriers to vaccination:

“We look forward to working with the government to see the realisation of their pre-election commitment to increase the range of vaccinations available from appropriately trained pharmacists in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook, including vaccines for travel health,” she said.

PSA continues to support its members in vaccination, including updating PSA’s pharmacist state-by-state vaccination hub to reflect these latest changes.​

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@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.

PSA NSW Pharmacist Awards winners announced

1 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced the winners of the PSA New South Wales Pharmacist Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for their communities.

 

The 2026 award recipients are:

 

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Kate Gray MPS
• Pharmacist of the Year – Bente Hart MPS
• Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Mitchell Budden MPS
• Intern of the Year – Karina Angelucci MPS

 

Credentialed pharmacist from Braidwood, NSW Pharmacist of the Year, Bente Hart, is an exceptional pharmacist whose leadership, proactive problem-solving, and deep commitment to rural and vulnerable populations have made a lasting impact on both the profession and the community she serves.

 

Bente has made contributions across Multipurpose Services (MPS) and Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH), supporting medication audits, National Antimicrobial Prescribing Surveys (NAPS), and addressing medication-related quality improvement issues. Her work has strengthened clinical governance and patient safety in rural facilities where such initiatives can be challenging to implement.

 

She delivers targeted education to nursing, medical, and allied health staff to improve medication safety and quality use of medicines, and she has supported pharmacists in transitioning to updated credentialing requirements for Medication Management Reviews (MMRs), helping sustain high-quality rural pharmacy services. Bente regularly volunteers her time at local markets, providing health checks, medication advice, and health education to community members.

 

PSA fifty-year Life Member from Orange, Kate Gray, has been awarded the PSA NSW Lifetime Achievement Award. For over five decades, Kate has been committed to advancing pharmacy practice through leadership, mentorship, and community service. Her enduring contributions span ownership, governance, education, and advocacy, making her a role model and champion for the profession.

 

Kate Gray earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy and became a registered pharmacist in 1975. She is a proprietor of Peter Smith TerryWhite Chemmart and Orange Compounding Pharmacy. In 2025, Kate received the Pharmacy Guild Life Member Award, marking 44 years of Guild membership. She currently serves on the NSW Pharmacy Council and is in her second elected term.

 

NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year Mitchell Budden is completing a PhD at The University of Newcastle, focused on pharmacist prescribing for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in NSW and ACT, evaluating safety and efficacy outcomes to inform policy and practice. His research has already contributed to shaping extended scope models that improve patient access and reduce system pressures.

 

Mitchell has eight years of experience in community pharmacies across regional NSW, giving him a deep understanding of the realities of frontline pharmacy practice. His clinical expertise and patient-centred approach have informed his leadership in research and policy, ensuring that innovations are practical, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

 

NSW Intern of the Year Karina Angelucci has established herself early in her career as a leader in professional services focused on patient care and medicine safety. During her intern year in Balmain, she restructured her pharmacy’s DAA service, streamlined processes, and grew the patient base by championing the benefits of DAA’s to local doctors, carers and patients.

 

Karina has championed vaccination in a community known for not strongly embracing vaccination services. She has performed over 1,000 influenza vaccines across her intern year and initiated an outreach vaccination service for local school staff. She also developed a travel health program and a point-of-care testing program in the pharmacy.

 

Speaking last night in the Hunter Valley at the NSW Pharmacist Awards ceremony, PSA NSW President Luke Kelly FPS congratulated each of the award recipients, highlighting their dedication to the pharmacy profession and improving patient care:

 

“Each of these pharmacists has demonstrated excellence in their practice. Their work drives forward patient care locally, across New South Wales, and beyond.

 

“With the health needs of our community continuing to grow, it’s important to celebrate innovation, dedication and passion which takes health care to the next level,” Mr Kelly said.

 

“I congratulate all of the award recipients and thank them for their contribution to the profession and to their local communities.”

 

Awardees are available for interview.
High resolution images of awardees are available by contacting media@psa.org.au  

 

Karina Angelucci MPS

NSW Intern Pharmacist of the Year

Mitchell Budden MPS

NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

Bente Hart MPS

NSW Pharmacist of the Year

Kate Gray MPS

NSW Lifetime Achievement Award

Pharmacists call for medicine safety program support

25 February 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Australia’s peak body for pharmacists, is urgently calling on the Federal Government to support the delivery of vital medicine safety programs to patients, with the current situation putting the health of many Australians in growing jeopardy.

The PSA, in its 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission, said reforms are long overdue, with many people, especially those in residential care, older Australians, or people living with chronic and complex conditions, needing regular and urgent management of their medicines to not only keep them well but prevent emergency hospitalisation.

The PSA is seeking support for the following medicine safety services delivered by credentialed pharmacists in patient homes and aged care facilities:

• Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) 

• Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRS) and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) 

• Aged Care On-Site Pharmacists (ACOP) program 

The key points of PSA’s Budget Submission include: 

• reinstating the pharmacist service fee indexation for the delivery of pharmacy services in the homes of patients and in aged-care settings, frozen since 2019 

• removing the monthly cap on services delivered by credentialed pharmacists. 

• allowing flexibility for programs to be delivered via telehealth to ensure timely, equitable access to pharmacist care when in-person services are not practical or safe

“Without urgent investment, these medicine safety programs are becoming unsustainable, leaving more patients at risk of emergency hospitalisation from unresolved problems with their medicines,” said PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS.

“The next Budget is a critical opportunity to modernise long-neglected pharmacy programs and deliver stronger patient care to all Australians, particularly those most at risk of medicine-related harm.

“This is about restoring and securing better outcomes for Australians who rely on medicines for their health and wellbeing.

“Supporting these programs will increase productivity in the health system by reducing wait times, strengthening workforce sustainability, and improving the safe use of medicines for high-risk groups.

“We know patients are falling through the cracks, often waiting months for time-critical medicine safety reviews,” said Professor Naunton.

The PSA stands ready to work with governments to implement these measures immediately through the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement across primary and aged care.

The PSA’s 2026-27 Federal Budget Submission is available here.

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798   E: leah.jacobsen@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.