Health Minister announces greater flexibility for medication safety programs at PSA26

31 July 2026 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today welcomed the announcement that will afford pharmacists greater flexibility in delivering Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs).

 

Addressing delegates during the Opening Plenary at PSA26: The Home of Pharmacists, the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, announced negotiations are progressing on the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement (1PPA), and that from 1 November, follow-up services for the HMR and RMMR programs will be able to be delivered via telehealth.

 

The Minister’s speech reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with the PSA to support Australia’s pharmacists to provide more services, to more Australians, for the benefit of the pharmacy profession, patients, and the Australian health system.

 

“Pharmacists are at the heart of communities across Australia,” Minister Butler said.

 

“For many Australians, pharmacists are the first call, the first conversation, and often the first point of care when they have concerns about their health. That trusted relationship is one of the profession’s greatest strengths and one that will only become more important as our health system continues to evolve.”

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, welcomed the announcement, declaring it an important step in modernising pharmacist-delivered care and improving patient access to medication safety programs, particularly for those in rural and remote Australia who may have limited access to healthcare.

 

“The announcement is a key step in strengthening medication safety programs for Australian patients and communities,” Professor Naunton said. 

 

“We know medicines reviews are lifesaving services provided by pharmacists. They identify medicine-related problems, support the safer use of medicines, help patients optimise their medications, and provide a deeper relationship between patients and their healthcare professionals. 

 

“We thank Minister Butler for his ongoing commitment to strengthening the role of pharmacists across Australia’s healthcare system.”

 

Brooke Shelly FPS, PSA Strategic Agreements Lead, said the announcement was an important step forward for the profession, with the ability for pharmacists to now use telehealth for follow ups aligning medicines safety programs more closely with other sectors of the health system. 

 

“This reform reflects years of hard-fought advocacy from PSA and demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the profession work together with a shared focus on better patient outcomes,” Ms Shelly said.

 

“Medicines safety is fundamental to a stronger, safer health system. While we’re pleased to have greater flexibility in how these programs are delivered, there is still more to achieve, and today’s announcement provides a strong foundation for the work to come.

 

“We will continue to work constructively with the Department to build on this momentum and work towards progressing the 1PPA so that more Australians will benefit from high-quality pharmacist care, wherever they live and in the ways that best meet their needs.” 

 

The announcement reflects the success of sustained advocacy by PSA and its members, together with constructive engagement with the Australian Government. PSA remains committed to working collaboratively with Government to progress the 1PPA.

 

 

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. 

PSA26: National President says a strong profession needs a strong professional home

31 July 2026

 

PSA26: The Home of Pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) annual national conference has commenced with National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, calling on pharmacists to embrace the profession’s expanding role in healthcare, declaring that a strong and united profession is essential to delivering better outcomes for Australians.

 

Opening PSA26, Professor Naunton reflected on his own professional journey, highlighting PSA’s role as the professional home for pharmacists across every practice setting. 

 

“PSA has been a home for me throughout my career, and it continues to be a home for thousands of pharmacists across Australia,” Professor Naunton said.

 

“When we put people first, organisations flourish. When PSA puts members first, pharmacists flourish, and most importantly, so do the patients and communities they serve.”

 

Professor Naunton said pharmacy was entering a period of significant change, with expanded scope of practice, increasing demand for healthcare services, and growing complexity in medicines use creating new opportunities and responsibilities for pharmacists. 

 

“The healthcare needs of Australians are growing in complexity, and our profession continues to evolve. These changes require leadership, courage, and vision,” he said.  

 

“As we look to the future of pharmacy practice, I remain optimistic.” 

 

Professor Naunton highlighted PSA’s work supporting pharmacists through education, professional standards, medicines safety advocacy, and workforce development, including the integration of the Australasian College of Pharmacy into PSA and the ongoing delivery of education programs that support evolving pharmacist services.  

 

“With pharmacists’ scope of practice rapidly expanding across the country, PSA continues to support members by preparing high-quality education and training. It is one of our top priorities.” 

 

The PSA President also acknowledged recent progress in securing paid placements for pharmacy students and thanked the Australian Government for its support of workforce reform and professional practice initiatives.  

 

“This workforce analysis, the first undertaken for the profession in more than 30 years, will help inform where future investments must be made to support quality use of medicines and safe care for Australians, regardless of where they live.”  

 

Professor Naunton also reinforced PSA’s longstanding commitment to medicines safety, ahead of the release of PSA’s eighth Medicines Safety Report focusing on culturally and linguistically diverse communities.  

 

He said medicines safety had become Australia’s 10th National Health Priority, the result of sustained advocacy by PSA and its members. 

 

Looking ahead, Professor Naunton outlined his vision for a stronger profession united through a stronger PSA. 

 

“It is my vision that PSA continues to be the home for all pharmacists. A stronger PSA means a more educated and more supported profession,” he said. 

 

“A place where we can learn, create change, lead and give back.” 

 

“Because when pharmacists have a strong and stable home, they have the confidence to practise at their very best. And when pharmacists are at their very best, Australians receive better care, use medicines more safely, and lead healthier lives.”   

 

 

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 Paid Prac expansion for pharmacy students

23 July 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the peak national body for Australia’s 42,000 pharmacists, has welcomed today’s announcement that pharmacy students will be included in the Federal Government’s expansion of its Prac Payment Program.

 

Pharmacy students undertaking compulsory placements as part of their degree will be eligible for financial support effective from 1 July 2027, following tireless advocacy efforts from the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association.

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said the announcement recognises the significant financial pressures faced by pharmacy students and comes at a pivotal time for the pharmacy profession.

 

“Frontline healthcare placements are an integral part of university study for Australia’s student pharmacists, giving them invaluable ‘hands-on’ experience,” Professor Naunton said.

 

“However, it can also be very expensive, with students forsaking part-time jobs to meet the full-time demands of placement work while also coping with general expenses like rent and fuel. It’s a significant financial burden, and we don’t want to see pharmacy students walk away from the profession because the cost of completing their studies has become too high.

 

“The payment program will make a significant practical and financial difference to students undertaking this critical component of their tertiary education, and we look forward to seeing the impact next year as we welcome graduates into one of the nation’s most trusted healthcare professions.” 

 

Professor Naunton also acknowledged the contributions of former NAPSA President Sebastian Harper and current NAPSA National President Mia Avram to this announcement: 

 

“I extend my congratulations to Sebastian, Mia, and the broader NAPSA leadership teams for their hard work in securing the paid prac program for pharmacy students.”

 

Mia Avram, NAPSA’s recently elected National President, acknowledged the announcement, saying:

 

“This is a landmark moment for pharmacy students across Australia. Expanding Commonwealth Prac Payments recognises the essential contribution pharmacy and allied health students make during their placements and will help ensure financial barriers don’t stand in the way of training our future workforce.”

 

Immediate Past President Sebastian Harper, who led NAPSAs advocacy across two terms, also welcomed the announcement:

 

“I was proud to stand alongside thousands of pharmacy and allied health students over the last few years to advocate for this change, and today this win is theirs. It will mean pharmacy students don’t have to decide between putting food on the table and finishing their degree, and for that, NAPSA and our entire profession should be proud.” 

 

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. 

Health Minister to address PSA national conference: The Home of Pharmacists

16 July

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is pleased to announce that the Minister for Health, Disability, and Ageing, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, will join pharmacists from across Australia at PSA’s national conference, PSA26: the Home of Pharmacists.

 

The Hon. Mark Butler MP is set to deliver a ministerial address as part of the opening plenary on Friday 31 July.

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said the presence of Minister Butler reflects the importance the Albanese government places on pharmacy policy and reform at a pivotal time for the profession.

 

“It is an exciting time for pharmacy, with PSA26 taking place as the profession is looking to broaden its contributions to improving access to care and supporting greater health outcomes for communities across Australia,” Professor Naunton said.

 

“PSA26 delegates will be able to hear first-hand from Minister Butler during the opening plenary, where he will provide key insights about the government’s priorities in healthcare and how pharmacists can assist with supporting these priorities.”

 

Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, the Hon. Emma McBride MP FPS, and Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, will also address PSA26 on its opening day.

 

“We are equally excited to welcome Assistant Minister McBride and Shadow Minister Ruston to PSA26,” Professor Naunton continued.

 

“Our annual national conference continues to draw political leaders each year, which is a testament to the importance of pharmacists in Australia’s primary health system.”

 

PSA26 will be held from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.

 

Registrations for PSA26 are still open. Those wishing to attend can register 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.