‘We are not backing down on these changes’; PSA welcomes NSW Premier’s announcements

10 September 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is pleased to welcome the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s announcements today, which will improve patients access to vaccination and treatment for common conditions.

Announced this morning by the Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales, community pharmacies in NSW will be able to deliver all vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program from 1 January 2027.

The Premier further announced a trial for expanded scope of practice to include wound care, chronic disease management, otitis externa, and otitis media.

In line with Queensland pharmacist prescribing guidelines, NSW graduates will be authorised to prescribe and initiate the oral contraceptive pill.

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, welcomed the Premier’s announcements, which will ensure pharmacist care is accessible to more Australians.

“The PSA has long advocated for pharmacists to deliver all vaccinations for all patients in all states,” Professor Naunton said.

“It is great that our frontline pharmacists will be able to provide patients with safe and quality healthcare when and where they need it.”

Professor Naunton said PSA would continue to work with the NSW government to ensure PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing is recognised in NSW.

“While we are pleased to see that graduates from two prescribing courses will be recognised in NSW, PSA will continue to advocate for all courses accredited at the same Australian Qualifications Framework level to also be recognised, including PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing,” he said.

“The PSA’s prescribing course is already recognised across five jurisdictions – Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.” 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au or media@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 welcomes Dr Michael Bonning as incoming AMA President

1 September 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Dr Michael Bonning on his election as the next President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Dr Sarah Whitelaw on her election as Vice President.

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Media contact: Leah Jacobsen

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 welcomes Dr Ramya Raman as incoming RACGP President

26 August 2026

The Pharmaceutical of Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Dr Ramya Raman on her election as President-elect of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), welcoming her appointment as an opportunity to continue strengthening collaboration across primary care.  

Dr Raman was elected President-elect on 24 August 2026 and will formally assume the presidency at the RACGP Annual General Meeting in November 2026.  

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Dr Raman’s extensive experience as a specialist GP, practice owner, educator, and RACGP leader positions her strongly to lead the profession through a period of significant change and reform.  

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I congratulate Dr Ramya Raman on being named RACGP President-elect,” Professor Naunton said.  

“Dr Raman has been a passionate advocate for quality primary care and for ensuring Australians can access the healthcare services they need, regardless of where they live. 

“The PSA looks forward to continuing its strong relationship with the RACGP under Dr Raman’s leadership, building on shared priorities including workforce sustainability, preventive health, access to care, and the long-term strength of Australia’s primary healthcare system.” 

Professor Naunton also thanked outgoing RACGP President Dr Michael Wright for his leadership and contribution to advancing collaborative care. 

“Dr Wright is a valued partner in progressing more integrated models of healthcare. His support for the integration of pharmacists within general practice settings has helped demonstrate the important role pharmacists can play as part of multidisciplinary care teams, improving medication safety, supporting chronic disease management, and enhancing patient outcomes,” Professor Naunton continued,  

“I want to acknowledge Dr Wright’s outstanding leadership of the RACGP and thank him for his commitment to collaboration in healthcare. We wish Dr Wright every success in the future.” 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au or media@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 calls for pharmacists to shape dispensing practice guidelines

25 August 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling on pharmacists in all practice areas and settings to contribute to the review of the Dispensing Practice Guidelines.  

Published by the PSA in 2019, the current Dispensing Practice Guidelines provide a foundational resource for pharmacists to support safe dispensing services. As pharmacy practice evolves, the review will ensure that the guidelines remain up to date and reflect advances in the pharmacy profession.  

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said every pharmacist has valuable insights into how dispensing practice is changing and what support is needed to deliver safe, high-quality care for the future.  

“Dispensing is a core professional function and responsibility for pharmacists, and a fundamental component of the safe and effective use of medicines,” Professor Naunton said.  

“The Dispensing Practice Guidelines are built by the profession, for the profession. This review and update is an important opportunity for pharmacists to shape the future of dispensing practice. 

“I encourage all pharmacists to contribute their perspectives and share their experiences to aid in supporting the updated guidelines to reflect modern pharmacy practice.” 

The survey is open from 13 August to 10 September, with responses informing and shaping the development of the upcoming draft revised guidelines, which will be released for further broad consultation in 2027.  

Pharmacists are encouraged to participate by completing the survey, available here.

Pharmacists wishing to participate can also engage by having a 1:1 virtual consultation with the Project Manager. Book virtual consultations by emailing: Mirna.Sydenham@psa.org.au.  

The PSA acknowledges the support of the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, for the review and update of the Dispensing Practice Guidelines, through funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing under the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacists’ Professional Practice. The review forms part of PSA’s broader program of work to strengthen and modernise the profession’s core standards and guidance. 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au or media@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 seeking to strengthen clinical governance in pharmacy practice

25 August 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched its national consultation for the review and update of the Clinical Governance Principles for Pharmacy Services, calling on pharmacists to shape one of the frameworks guiding the profession.  

The review of the Clinical Governance Principles for Pharmacy Services will ensure that the principles provide a contemporary framework for clinical governance, regardless of where pharmacy services are delivered. 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said the review is timely, with pharmacists’ expanded scope of practice creating new opportunities to improve access to care for patients and communities.  

“Clinical governance is fundamental in delivering safe and effective person-centred pharmacy care,” Professor Naunton said.  

“Strong clinical governance underpins patient safety, and patients should be confident that they will receive high-quality care wherever they access pharmacy services.  

“Establishing clear principles is critical to support safe, consistent, and high-quality care, which is why it is important for pharmacists to take the opportunity to participate in this review.”  

Pharmacists are encouraged to submit their feedback during the consultation period from 13 August to 10 September.

Participate here.

Pharmacists wishing to participate can also opt for a 1:1 virtual consultation with the Project Manager. Virtual consultations can be booked by emailing Mirna.Sydenham@psa.org.au. 

The review and update of the Clinical Governance Principles are supported by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing under the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacists’ Professional Practice. The review forms part of PSA’s broader program of work to strengthen and modernise the profession’s core standards and guidance. 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au or media@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 calls for a suite of new measures to ensure fairer and safer access to medicines

5 August 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) latest medicine safety report highlights the medicine safety challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians.  

The eighth report in PSA’s Medicine Safety series, Medicine Safety: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Care, was developed with support from Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) and explores how language barriers, cultural differences, health literacy challenges, and difficulties navigating the healthcare system can place CALD Australians at heightened risk of medicines-related harm.  

Launched at PSA26, the Medicine Safety report led to an insightful panel session comprising PSA NSW/ACT State Manager Divya Lal, bilingual health worker Evelyn Pe, PDL Local Advisory Committee NSW/ACT Chair Curtis Ruhnau FPS, and refugee health general practitioner Dr Deborah Hillman-White. 

Hosted by Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, the panellists reflected on their real-world experiences and examples from the report to discuss the challenges patients face, the practical steps pharmacists can take to improve care, and to emphasise the severity of medication misunderstandings for patients.  

Speaking on the panel, Ms Lal said pharmacists are often the most consistent point of contact for patients navigating Australia’s healthcare system:  

“We’re accessible. We’re the central point. Whether they go to a GP, a specialist, an optometrist, or a physio, at the end of the day they’re going to come to the pharmacy regardless,” said Ms Lal. 

Additionally, Dr Hillman-White called for pharmacists to be more actively involved in identifying patients who may benefit from medication reviews before medicine-related problems escalate.  

“You’ve got Abdul here on 18 different medicines. Is this needed? How about we do an HMR?” 

Introducing the report at PSA26, PDL Director for Tasmania, Joe O’Malley, said the report and panel discussion highlight the important role pharmacists play in improving equitable access to safe and effective care. 

“Medicines safety is fundamental to reducing preventable harm and improving patient outcomes,” O’Malley said. 

“This report highlights the challenges that culturally and linguistically diverse communities can face when navigating medication and healthcare services.  

“PDL is proud to support PSA’s Medicine Safety series, which provides valuable insights and practical guidance to help pharmacists deliver safer, more effective care for all Australians.”  

To view the PSA’s recommendations and read the Medicine Safety Report, click here.

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au or media@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.