Think Health, Think Pharmacist!: Pharmacists key to a stronger health system

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is celebrating the contribution of pharmacists across Australia’s healthcare system this World Pharmacists Day (September 25) and calls for governments and stakeholders to embrace the skills and knowledge of pharmacists as the health system evolves to meet the ballooning health needs of the Australian population.

 

More than 40,000 registered pharmacists in Australia contribute daily to the provision of high-quality clinical care to the Australian population in primary care, hospital, and community settings.  This collective contribution makes the use of medicines safer across the whole medicine management cycle – from patient assessment and prescribing through to medicine review.

 

However, to support the increasingly complex health needs of Australia’s ageing population, the knowledge and skills of pharmacists are needed in more primary and tertiary care settings and available more consistently.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said enabling pharmacists to provide timely, equitable and affordable services to the public, including in underserved areas, was the key to strengthen our entire health system and provide better health outcomes for Australians.

 

“While most people know pharmacists practise in community pharmacies and hospitals, an increasing number of pharmacists now practise in general practice, aged care, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, consultancy, academia and a whole range of non-clinical roles linked to quality use of medicines,” she said.

 

“No matter their area of practice or stages of career, pharmacists should know that their work is appreciated and celebrated. On behalf of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, we thank all pharmacists for what they do, day-in-day-out, supporting our patients and communities.

 

“We need to empower pharmacists in community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy to do more for patients, utilising the full breadth and depth of their skills and knowledge. We also need much wider adoption of pharmacists in team-care based roles in primary care.

 

“To achieve this, pharmacists must be supported with expanded prescribing rights, deeper integration into multidisciplinary teams, and greater involvement in chronic disease management.

 

“Medicines are the most common intervention in health care; and pharmacists are the medicines experts. Pharmacists are needed wherever medicines are prescribed, dispensed, administered or reviewed. This is why the theme ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacist’ for World Pharmacist’s Day today is so important.”

 

A/Prof Sim reflected that many of the health challenges facing Australia, such as medicines safety, access to care, and antimicrobial resistance, were shared around the world.

 

“We also share many of the same goals, such as a strong, sustainable health system, and access to care where and when it is needed. Achieving these goals will deliver better outcomes for patients in any country,” she said.

 

“On this day, I acknowledge the work of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and our pharmacist colleagues around the world.”

 

Media contact: David Westman  M: 0480 099 798  E: david.westman@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: Pharmacists play critical role in dementia care

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is marking Dementia Action Week 2025 (15–21 September 2025) by highlighting the critical role pharmacists play in improving medicine safety and health outcomes for Australians living with dementia.

 

With an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and 1.7 million people involved in their care, dementia touches nearly every community. This year’s theme, “Nobody can do it alone”, is a powerful reminder of the impact of dementia and the collective effort required to support those affected. Pharmacists are ready to play a vital role in this community-wide response.

 

New data released last week by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), revealed that dementia was the leading cause of death for Australians in 2023. The report also found:

• Women accounted for nearly twice as many dementia-related deaths as men

• 32.5% of Australians living with dementia reside in regional and remote areas

• Dementia-related healthcare costs were estimated at almost $3.7 billion in 2020–21.

 

PSA is proud to highlight the Dementia Support Pharmacist project in South Australia, funded by the Country SA Primary Health Network. Since its launch in July 2024, the initiative has delivered impactful, patient-centred care particularly in areas where healthcare resources are stretched thin.

 

Dementia Support Pharmacists Dee-Anne Hull MPS and Nicola Sander MPS have supported hundreds of patients and families through medication management, deprescribing, and holistic care planning.

 

“In 63% of our patient interactions, we’ve recommended deprescribing unnecessary or potentially inappropriate medicines,” said Dee-Anne Hull. “And in 20% of cases, we’ve simplified medicine regimens, making life easier and safer for patients and carers alike.”

 

Beyond medicines, they provide support clients and families with:

• Carer burden assessments

• End-of-life planning

• Non-pharmacological strategies

• Referrals to local services and supports

 

Dee-Anne and Nicola have travelled extensively to reach patients in rural and regional communities, covering over 10,000 km by plane and 10,000 km by car in the first year of the project.

 

“We listen, we care, and we walk alongside families through one of the toughest journeys imaginable,” said Nicola Sander. “Now imagine if there were more of us. Imagine the difference we could make.”

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS added:

“Pharmacists are uniquely placed to support Australians living with dementia through safe, personalised, and accessible care. This program exemplifies the impact pharmacists can have when embedded in dementia care pathways.”

 

“As dementia becomes a leading cause of death, we must invest in scalable, pharmacist-led models of care that improve medicine safety and quality of life for patients and families.”

 

PSA continues to lead national efforts to improve medicine safety and health outcomes for all Australians.

 

Media contact:   David Westman   M: 0480 099 798  E: david.westman@psa.org.au

World Patient Safety Day: Patient safety must start from the very first dose

17 September 2025

 

On World Patient Safety Day, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is urging Australians to reflect on the importance of keeping children and adolescents safe from medicine-related harm.

 

The global theme for this year “Patient safety from the start” resonates strongly in Australia, where PSA’s Medicine Safety: Child and Adolescent Care report revealed that:

 

34,000 children present to Emergency Departments every year due to medicine-related problems — that’s almost 93 presentations every single day.
40 children are admitted to hospital daily from medicine-related harm.
Around half of these incidents are preventable.
PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, said medicine safety in children must remain front of mind for all health professionals, caregivers, and policymakers.

 

“World Patient Safety Day is a reminder that safe care begins at birth and continues throughout childhood. Every medicine prescribed, dispensed, or administered to a child is an opportunity to prevent harm and protect health,” Associate Professor Sim said.

 

“Pharmacists see first-hand the risks children face — from accidental poisoning to dosing errors.

 

“By working together with parents, carers and the broader health system, we can make a real difference in reducing preventable harm.

 

“Patient safety from the start is not just a theme, it’s a responsibility we all share.”

 

The World Health Organization has called for global action to improve safety in paediatric and newborn care.

 

PSA stands with the international health community in highlighting the importance of safe medicines use as a cornerstone of child health and wellbeing.

 

In Australia, Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety is Australia’s 10th National Health Priority Area.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Child and Adolescent Care report is available at: https://www.psa.org.au/advocacy/working-for-our-profession/medicine-safety/medicine-safety-child-adolescent-care-report/

 

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Media contact: David Westman M: 0480 099 798 E: david.westman@psa.org.au

Pharmacists urge national rollout of free, needle-free flu vaccines for kids

16 September 2025

 

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Media contact:   David Westman   M: 0480 099 798  E: david.westman@psa.org.au

Global call to act on antimicrobial resistance

2 September 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia joined leading pharmacy organisations from around the world today in calling for urgent action to tackle the rise of antibiotic and other antimicrobial resistance.

 

The FIP Copenhagen Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance, signed by 75 organisations, outlines clear priorities to address antimicrobial resistance, including global partnership building, promoting vaccination and rational antimicrobial use, protecting medicine supply chains, and advancing evidence on stewardship and outcomes.

 

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Copenhagen at the FIP World Congress, PSA Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris said the joint statement marked an urgent call for the health and agricultural sectors to act in halting the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

“PSA is proud to join with colleagues from around the world for collective action to tackle the enormous challenge of antimicrobial resistance,” he said.

 

“Antimicrobial resistance is a multifactorial problem requiring bold multifactorial responses. As Australia’s peak body for pharmacists, PSA is committed to playing our role in slowing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and promoting innovation that drives more rational medicine use.

 

A/ Prof Morris reflected that the agreement built on a strong body of work from PSA to minimise the emergency of antimicrobial resistance in Australia.

“PSA has been a leading Australian voice for rational antimicrobial use. This has included development of evidence-based practice guidelines for treatment of uncomplicated cystitis, changes to Cautionary and Advisory Labels to provide more appropriate directions to patients, and through provision of leading education for pharmacists that drives rational medicine use,” he said.

 

“I look forward to driving the principles outlined in this statement into PSA’s advocacy and into PSA’s products and services.”

 

A copy of the declaration can be found at https://www.fip.org/file/6345

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Media contact:   David Westman   M: 0480 099 798  E: david.westman@psa.org.au

Consultation opens for review of Pharmacist Code of Ethics

2 September 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), in partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is seeking feedback from pharmacists and health sector stakeholders as it commences the consultation phase of renewing the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists.

 

The Code of Ethics is the fundamental resource articulating the values of the pharmacy profession and expected standards of ethical behaviour of pharmacists. The Code underpins the professional practice of all pharmacists in Australia.

 

The first project delivered as part of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice, the revised Code of Ethics will better support pharmacists as they face increasingly complex ethical challenges.

 

Pharmacists from all areas of practice, all career stages and all Australian states and territories are invited to provide their views on the current Code, in particular its reflection of values and ethical standards and on emerging ethical issues.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said: “At the heart of our profession is our shared commitment to Care, Competency, and Integrity. These ethical values define who we are as pharmacists, guiding our decisions, shaping our relationships with patients, and underpinning the trust our communities place in us. It is these three values that are the foundation of the Pharmacists Code of Ethics.

 

“As pharmacy practice continues to grow and diversify, the ethical challenges we face also become more complex. New models of care, greater prescribing authority and the growing role of digital health all bring opportunities, but also new responsibilities.

 

Associate Professor Sim also praised the expertise of the Project Advisory Group (PAG), led by Dr Ayomide Ogundipe MPS.

 

“The PAG leading the Code of Ethics project are truly remarkable, including some of the world’s foremost leaders on health professional ethics, representatives of all Australian pharmacy organisations, and consumer voices.

 

“This breadth of expertise ensures the refreshed Code will be rigorous, practical, and responsive to the needs of our profession and the communities we serve.

 

“As we continue to work closely with the Department of Health, Ageing and Disability as part of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice, we’re ensuring that the codes, standards and guidelines underpinning our profession remain fit-for-purpose now and into the future,” Associate Professor Sim said.

 

PAG Chair and Board Director Dr Ayomide Ogundipe MPS further encouraged pharmacists to participate in consultation.

 

“The Code of Ethics, last updated in 2017, must continue to evolve alongside the changing world in which we practise,” Dr Ogundipe said.

 

“Throughout this consultation phase we want to hear from a diverse range of pharmacists and stakeholders. That includes both members and non-members, pharmacists in rural, regional and metropolitan areas and in a range of practice settings, students and interns.

 

“There are a number of ways to get involved, whether you’re interested in joining an in-depth virtual workshop, the profession survey, or a one-on-one consultation discussion with our team. No matter how you want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you,” Dr Ogundipe concluded.

 

The pharmacist survey is open now, closing at 5pm AEST on Friday 10 October 2025. For more information on the Code of Ethics for Pharmacist project and to participate, visit www.psa.org.au/code-of-ethics-review/

 

Media contact:  Leah Robinson  M: 0421 659 040   E:  leah.robinson@psa.org.au

Next gen Early Career Pharmacist leaders introduced

25 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today introduced the new crop of leaders for the Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) Community of Specialty Interest (CSI), a dynamic group dedicated to empowering the next generation of pharmacists across Australia.

 

Dr Ayomide Ogundipe MPS has been re-appointed for a third term as Chair of the Early Career Pharmacist Leadership Group and ECP Director on the PSA National Board.

 

For the first time the Early Career Pharmacist CSI will also include a representative practising in the Northern Territory.

 

In announcing the new leadership team, Dr Ogundipe reaffirmed her commitment to a thriving ECP community.

 

“I’m honoured to be reappointed to the PSA Board for my third and final term as the Early Career Pharmacist Director. It’s been a privilege to represent and advocate for my peers during such a transformative time in pharmacy,” Dr Ogundipe said.

 

“This role has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing to the strategic direction of our profession.

 

“As I step into this final term, I remain deeply committed to ensuring that early career pharmacists have a strong voice in decision-making and policy development.

 

“It’s a privilege to welcome the new members of the ECP CSI Leadership Group, each bringing unique experience, drive and perspective that will be instrumental in shaping the future of our profession.

 

“This leadership group represents the best of what’s next – thoughtful, engaged pharmacists who are ready to make a real impact in their communities and across the profession. It’s incredibly exciting to support a new cohort of leaders who are ready to represent and advocate for early career pharmacists at all levels.

 

“Our early career pharmacists are the future of pharmacy, and I’m inspired by the energy, diversity and ideas that this new group brings. I look forward to seeing how they lead, challenge and elevate the profession.

 

“We’re proud that the CSI leadership group now has representation from across the country, including the Northern Territory for the very first time since its inception. This reflects our commitment to ensuring all regions and voices are included in shaping the future of the profession.

 

“I want to thank Jala Moushi, Keiran Batavia, Shaylee Mills, Monique Licht and Erin Cooper for their support and dedication in building our CSI into the thriving, connected community it is today,” Dr Ogundipe concluded.

 

The 2025-26 Early Career Pharmacists CSI is lead by:
Dr Ayomide Ogundipe MPS (Chair)
James Buckley MPS, Queensland
Joshua Cooper MPS, Victoria
Elissar Mansour MPS, New South Wales
Zineb Medrek MPS, ACT
Rhiannon Price MPS, Western Australia
Abby Richardson MPS, Queensland
Lucy Rowell MPS, Tasmania
Leon Tcha MPS, Northern Territory
Raymond Truong MPS, South Australia

 

PSA looks forward to working closely with the new ECP CSI leaders as they continue to champion the voice of early career pharmacists and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of pharmacy practice in Australia.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au