PSA welcomes free RSV vaccinations

20 April 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has commended the Federal Government on its decision to make the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Arexvy, available and free of charge for older Australians.

 

All Australians aged 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 60 and over, can access the vaccine free of charge from 15 May through their local pharmacy or other health provider.

 

RSV is a very common and highly contagious illness that starts with cold-like symptoms. Older people, especially those in contact with younger relatives who often contract and spread the virus, are particularly vulnerable to developing severe symptoms and other medical complications.

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said the decision by the Federal Government will safeguard the health of many Australians who, without this vaccine, could face severe illness, hospitalisation, or death. 

 

“The vaccine provides strong protection against RSV, protection that we have not had a vaccine for until recently,” he said.  

 

“Older Australians who receive their RSV vaccine will be protected not just this winter, but for many winters, as this vaccine provides protection against this potentially debilitating illness for a number of years.

 

“Until being added to the National Immunisation Program, the vaccine was costing older patients around $300. Removing this cost will go a long way toward protecting the respiratory health of those most at-risk of severe RSV and its complications.”

 

The RSV vaccine can be provided by pharmacist immunisers at community pharmacies, local GP clinics, aged care and community centres and will be readily available in the coming weeks. 

 

 

 

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 congratulates new Victorian Minister for Health

15 April 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has congratulated the Hon. Harriet Shing MP on her appointment as Victoria’s new Minister for Health, following today’s ministerial reshuffle announced by Premier Jacinta Allan.

 

PSA Victorian President, Atinuke Abraham FPS, welcomed the appointment and said PSA looks forward to working constructively with Minister Shing to strengthen the state’s health system and improve access to high‑quality pharmacist care for all Victorians.

 

“We congratulate Minister Shing on her appointment to the health portfolio and welcome the opportunity to work with her as she takes on this critical role,” Ms Abraham said. 

 

“Victoria’s pharmacists are a trusted and highly accessible part of the healthcare workforce, and we look forward to continuing to advocate for policies that support expanded scope of practice, a sustainable workforce, and better integration of pharmacists across primary care, hospitals, and aged care.” 

 

The PSA also acknowledged and thanked the outgoing Minister for Health, the Hon. Mary‑Anne Thomas MP, for her leadership and commitment to the health system during a period of significant challenge and reform.

 

“Mary‑Anne Thomas has made an important contribution to Victoria’s health system, particularly through the ongoing recovery from the COVID‑19 pandemic, and work to improve health system resilience,” Ms Abraham said. 

 

“PSA particularly thanks Minister Thomas for her engagement with the pharmacy profession on scope of practice initiatives, such as pharmacist-led vaccination and the community pharmacy statewide prescribing pilot, which has become the permanent care under the banner of Chemist Care Now.

 

“PSA looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Minister Shing and the Victorian Government to ensure pharmacists are empowered to do more to improve medicine safety, supporting preventive health, and deliver timely care closer to where people live,” Ms Abraham concluded. 

 

 

 

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. 

Needle-free influenza vaccine now available in WA

14 April 2026

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is urging parents to protect their kids against influenza, with the needle-free influenza vaccine for children now available.

 

As announced today by the Western Australian State Government, children aged 2-11 years can access FluMist, the intranasal influenza vaccine, through their local pharmacy as part of the government’s 2026 WA Winter Strategy. 

 

With 130,000 doses available across the state, the program is expected to increase influenza vaccination among young children, particularly those with needle anxiety, to reduce the spread of influenza this winter.

 

PSA WA Branch President, Kristian Ray MPS, said the announcement would be a game-changer for many families.

 

“Pharmacists are widely recognised as the most accessible healthcare professionals, continuing to do their part in delivering vaccinations safely across Western Australia,” he said.

 

“Every year, Australians aged over 6 months are recommended to receive their flu vaccination, including children who are especially vulnerable to severe influenza.

 

“Giving parents and patients the choice to receive a cost-free, needle-free vaccination through community pharmacies will make it easier for families to protect their children ahead of flu season. 

 

“Providing alternative vaccination methods will protect our children and reduce pressure on the broader health system during peak influenza season.” 

 

In WA, eligible people can already access no-cost vaccination under the National Immunisation Program via their local pharmacy. The free WA government-funded influenza vaccine program for all other West Australians will commence on 1 May. 

 

Needle-free vaccines are now available across Western Australia. Visit your local pharmacy to book in now. 

 

 

 

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. 

World Autism Awareness Day; PSA launches new innovative guide: Your medicines, your pharmacist

2 April 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today supports World Autism Awareness Day following the launch of the Your medicines, your pharmacist consumer guide at PSA’s South Australian and Northern Territories Annual Therapeutic Update (SA/NT ATU) on 28 March.  

 

Marked annually on 2 April, World Autism Awareness Day aims to increase the understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of autistic people by promoting autism awareness and emphasising the importance of accessible, supportive services within the community.  

 

The PSA’s Your medicines, your pharmacist is a practical consumer guide designed to help autistic people better understand how their pharmacist can support their medicine and health needs.  

 

The guide has been developed in partnership with Autism SA, expert pharmacists, and working group members with lived experience of autism, to ensure the guide is optimised for the autistic community. 

 

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS, a key developer of the guide, reflected on the importance of inclusive pharmacy care.  

 

“The guide is very close to my heart. As a family member to an autistic person, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for autistic people and their families to feel supported and understood within the healthcare system,” said Adjunct Professor Angley. 

  

“For decades, I have been advocating for pharmacists to play a bigger role in the care of autistic people. Community pharmacists are highly accessible and can provide vital support, from everyday advice in the pharmacy to more in-depth medication reviews that help ensure medicines are safe, effective, and tailored to individual needs. 

  

“The ‘Your medicines, your pharmacist’ guide, developed by PSA through the Office for Autism grant, marks an important step in raising awareness of these services and empowering autistic people and their families to make the most of the support pharmacists can offer.” 

 

South Australian Minister for Autism, Lucy Hood, added:  

 

“Our Government is proud to back this initiative, which recognises the vital role pharmacists play as an accessible and trusted health service in our community. Making pharmacies more inclusive for Autistic people helps ensure everyday services are welcoming, understandable and responsive to people’s needs.” 

 

The guide is supported by a grant from the Office for Autism, Government of South Australia, with the Office for Autism’s Director, Sarah Kemp, launching the guide at PSA’s SA/NT ATU26.  

 

The PSA was previously awarded a further grant this February through the Autism Works in the Community Grants program, which will focus on developing a Pharmacist Audit Tool and Checklist to embed autism-inclusive, neuro-affirming practice across pharmacy settings in South Australia.  

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia remains committed to supporting inclusive and accessible person-centred care and ensuring pharmacists are equipped to meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve. 

 

The ‘Your medicines, your pharmacist’ guide can be accessed here: https://www.psa.org.au/resource/your-medicine-your-pharmacist/ 

 

 

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 SA/NT Pharmacist Awards winners announced

28 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced the winners of the PSA South Australian and Northern Territory 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 – Grant Kardachi AM FPS
• Pharmacist of the Year – Paul Tait FPS
• Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Stephanie Lee MPS
• Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Li Ann Ching MPS
• PSA Gold Medal – Matthew Weimann

 

 

Grant Kardachi AM FPS has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award tonight in Adelaide, recognised for his extraordinary contribution to the pharmacy profession spanning over five decades. As a highly respected leader, advocate, and mentor, Grant has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary practice across Australia.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of consultant pharmacy, Grant was a key player in the 1996 Community Pharmacy Model Practices Project, leading to the introduction of Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews. These essential healthcare services have transformed medicines stewardship and continue to improve the safe and effective use of medicines for Australians.

Serving more than 30 years of leadership, representing PSA at branch and national levels, including as National President from 2011 to 2015, Grant has advanced professional standards, education, and patient-centred care.

 

 

The PSA SA/NT Branch has named Dr Paul Tait FPS as Pharmacist of the Year 2026, recognising his outstanding leadership in digital health, palliative care, research, and integrated care. With more than 30 years of experience spanning hospital practice, research, and professional leadership.

Paul is widely recognised for strengthening pharmacists’ roles within integrated multidisciplinary care teams. Contributing to PSA’s education resources and mentoring health professionals across disciplines have enhanced pharmacists’ confidence and impact in complex care environments.

 

 

Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Stephanie Lee MPS has been recognised for innovation, expanded scope service delivery, and leadership in rural healthcare. As the first community pharmacist in South Australia to administer Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine, she has significantly improved access to evidence-based treatment for opioid dependence, reducing barriers to care and supporting safer, more dignified patient outcomes.

Stephanie is also a passionate advocate for community engagement, professional development, and integrated care. Through health education presentations, expanded-scope services including mental health first aid, UTI management, and oral contraceptive supply, alongside close collaboration with local hospitals, she has strengthened health literacy and care quality across her rural community of Bordertown.

 

 

Li Ann Ching MPS has been recognised as the Intern Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding performance and professionalism throughout her intern year, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient-centred care and expanded pharmacy services.

By delivering a wide range of professional services, including vaccination, heart health checks, travel consultations and hospital-to-home discharge reviews, Li Ann has excelled in her commitment to patient health, while also supporting the provision of professional services in the pharmacy, such as Dose Administration Aids and MedsChecks.

 

 

The PSA were also delighted to present Matthew Weimann with the prestigious PSA Gold Medal for his exceptional academic achievement.

The PSA Gold Medal recognises the student with the highest-grade point average, above 6.25, studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia. The Gold Medal has been awarded in South Australia since 1896 but only when there is a candidate that meets the stringent requirements of this award. Matthew joins this elite group of pharmacists.

 

 

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS, congratulated each of the award recipients, thanking them for their continued dedication to the pharmacy profession and their commitment to improving patient care, through practice and education.

 

“Congratulations to tonight’s SA/NT award winners, who are advancing patient care in their local communities and beyond,” said Adjunct Professor Angley.

 

“These award recipients represent some of the best of the pharmacy profession. Their innovation, dedication, and passion are essential as we respond to the evolving health needs of our communities.

 

“I congratulate each recipient and thank them for the meaningful impact they continue to make.”

The PSA extends its sincerest congratulations to tonight’s award winners.

 

Award winners are available for interview and high-resolution images are available by contacting media@psa.org.au

 

 

 

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 honours Darragh legacy through inaugural PSA Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

27 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Foundation is delighted to announce the recipient of the inaugural Hugh and Mary Darragh Postgraduate Scholarship, Mo’men Garybeh.  

 

Mo’men Garybeh, a community pharmacist from Wollongong, NSW, has been selected as the Hugh and Mary Darragh Scholar for his demonstrated leadership in the quality use of medicines, excellence in disease-state management, particularly diabetes management, and the improvement of patient outcomes within his local community.  

 

The Hugh and Mary Darragh scholarship provides the recipient with up to $10,000 to support their postgraduate studies in a clinical capacity, enabling them to drive measurable improvements in patient care and disease-state management through subsequent evidence-based collaborative practice. 

 

Mo’men Garybeh expressed his excitement to enrol in PSA’s Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program to enhance his clinical expertise.  

 

“Pharmacist practice is rapidly evolving with an increased focus on patient-centred care,” Garybeh said. 

 

“The Hugh and Mary Darragh Scholarship, delivered through the PSA Foundation, made it possible for me to expand my role in ensuring patients receive timely, safe, and evidence-based treatment within their community. 

 

“I’m honoured to continue advancing the quality use of medicines and helping redefine the impact pharmacists can have in making a positive impact on someone’s life.”  

 

Chair of the PSA Foundation, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, said that the postgraduate scholarship reflects the extraordinary generosity and vision of Hugh and Mary Darragh, who come from a proud pharmacy family.  

 

“Hugh and Mary dedicated their legacy to the future of the pharmacy and medical professions through the Trust,” Associate Professor Sim said.  

 

“We are very pleased that through the PSA Foundation, we have been able to bring their legacy to life by awarding Mo’men the Hugh and Mary Darragh Scholar.  

 

“Investing in the next generation of clinical pharmacists is vital to strengthening our healthcare system. The PSA Foundation is committed to empowering pharmacists who are driving innovation, advancing disease-state management, and delivering meaningful change for patients nationwide.” 

 

To learn more about the Hugh and Mary Darragh Postgraduate Scholarship, see here: https://www.psa.org.au/expressions-of-interest-now-open-psa-foundation-announces-hugh-and-mary-darragh-postgraduate-scholarship/ 

 

Mo’men Garybeh

 

 

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 welcomes new South Australian Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer

27 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Premier Peter Malinauskas and the Labor Party on securing a second term in the 2026 South Australian election. The PSA also welcomes Blair Boyer as South Australia’s new Minister for Health and Wellbeing, appointed on 25 March.

 

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President, Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS, thanked outgoing Minister Chris Picton for his strong engagement with the pharmacy profession.

 

“Minister Picton has been a committed partner in advancing pharmacist scope in South Australia,” Adjunct Professor Angley said.

 

“His leadership helped position South Australia at the forefront of pharmacist-led care, including expanded vaccination authority, new prescribing pathways, and pharmacist-delivered services such as UTI and oral contraceptive supply.

 

“His support for the 24/7 pharmacy program has also significantly improved access to medicines and care for South Australians.”

 

The PSA looks forward to working with Minister Boyer to continue strengthening pharmacist-led care and improving access to essential health services across the state.

 

The PSA has also welcomed the Malinauskas Government’s commitment to increasing training subsidies for pharmacists undertaking prescribing training and remains committed to delivering this training locally.

 

Adjunct Professor Angley also highlighted the impact of the Dementia Support Pharmacist program in rural and regional South Australia, which has delivered around 400 medicine reviews and 30 education sessions to date.

 

“The PSA welcomes the Government’s commitment to fund a Dementia Carers Wellbeing and Education Program through Dementia Australia and looks forward to further opportunities to support people living with dementia through safe and effective medicine use,” she said.

 

As the national peak body representing pharmacists across all practice settings, the PSA remains committed to ensuring all South Australians can access pharmacists’ expertise in medicines. 

 

 

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.