2025 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year

2 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today named Perth-based pharmacist Rachel Lawson as the 2025 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year, awarded at PSA25’s opening plenary this morning (Saturday 2 August).

 

Rachel Lawson began her journey in pharmacy while studying for a Bachelor of Health Promotion and working part-time at Pharmacy 777 Applecross in Perth, Western Australia where she quickly developed a passion for pharmacy. Six years later, she completed her intern year at the same pharmacy.

 

During her intern year, Rachel refined her dispensing skills and focused on health promotion and service provision. She conducted wound care consultations and sleep apnoea trials, provided supervised vaccinations, and coordinated two bone health clinics and a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screening program. She has also initiated HIV self-test consultations and collaborated with a local researcher to deliver a presentation on sleep health to over 150 attendees.

 

Over her six years in community pharmacy, Rachel has cultivated a keen interest in harm reduction which she hopes to build on into the future as she advocates for patient-centred care that acknowledges and addresses risky behaviours while striving to minimise harm.

 

Presenting the award, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated Ms Lawson on the impressive start to her pharmacy career.

 

“Intern and early career pharmacists like Rachel remind us that the future of our profession is in exceptionally capable hands,” Associate Professor Sim said.

 

“It’s inspiring to see pharmacists like Rachel embracing the challenges and opportunities of community pharmacy, particularly through her work in health promotion, harm reduction, and adapting to new models of service delivery.

 

“Congratulations Rachel, all of us at PSA look forward to continuing to support you throughout your pharmacy career, wherever it may lead.”

 

MIMS CEO Robert Best also congratulated Ms Lawson, reaffirming MIMS commitment to supporting the next generation of pharmacists.

 

“At MIMS, we are proud to continue our legacy as being the most trusted provider of drug and medicines information across the Australian healthcare industry,” Mr Best said.

 

“The Pharmacy profession has, and continues to be, one of the most important and pivotal parts of our medicines ecosystem when dealing with consumers and patients, and in particular, the interns play an important role with respects to advising, educating and dispensing medicines across Australia. Ultimately, they are the future of the Pharmacy profession.”

 

“For more than 6 decades, MIMS has been the trusted provider of drug and medicines information across the healthcare industry and we are committed to continue to provide the Pharmacy profession with the most of up-to-date drug and medicines information available at the point of care,” Mr Best concluded.

 

 

 

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

Record number of pharmacists named PSA Fellows

1 August 2025

 

A record 38 pharmacists have been inducted as Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) at tonight’s annual Fellows Dinner, recognising leadership, advocacy, and service to the profession over an extended period.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated the 2025 cohort, saying: “This year’s Fellows showcase the passion, leadership and drive for excellence that define our profession.”

 

“Being awarded Fellowship is a recognition of the sustained and outstanding contributions many pharmacists make to PSA and the broader pharmacy profession.

 

“On behalf of PSA, I extend my congratulations to each of these remarkable pharmacists, and thank them for their enduring service and dedication to driving our profession forward.”

 

In addition to 38 Fellows, PSA has also recognised Rhonda White AO and Terry White AO as PSA Life Fellows.

 

“In particular I’d like to acknowledge and congratulate Rhonda and Terry White, two stalwarts of Australian pharmacy who we are proud to recognise as Life Fellows of the PSA.

 

“Together, Terry and Rhonda have changed the course of Australian pharmacy, championing accessible, patient-centred care and inspiring generations of pharmacists through their leadership.

 

“PSA is proud to honour their lifelong dedication to community pharmacy.”

 

Among the 2025 cohort are a number of PSA staff who have had a significant impact on the pharmacy profession.

 

“The PSA team are the backbone of our organisation, working unbelievably hard to support pharmacists across the country. For these members of our team, who are also pharmacists themselves, the drive to make an impact on their profession is particularly strong.

 

“Congratulations to Caroyln, Claire, Chris, Quyen, Peter, Jarrod, Kay, Helen and Ella, these recognitions are very well deserved,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

 

 

Full list of PSA Fellows inducted in 2025:

• Carolyn Allen FPS, Australian Capital Territory
• Claire Antrobus FPS, Queensland
• Anna Barwick FPS, New South Wales
• Associate Professor Juanita Breen FPS, Tasmania
• Chris Campbell FPS, Queensland
• Cathy Caird FPS, South Australia
• Quyen Du FPS, South Australia
• Peter Guthrey FPS, Victoria
• Gauri Godbole FPS, New South Wales
• Associate Professor Lisa Kalisch Ellett FPS, South Australia
• Jarrod McMaugh FPS, Victoria
• Louise McLean FPS, Australian Capital Territory
• Professor Ross McKinnon FPS, South Australia
• Angela Nasone FPS, South Australia
• David North OAM FPS, New South Wales
• Helene O’Byrne FPS, Tasmania
• Neil Petrie FPS, Victoria
• Lachlan Rose FPS, New South Wales
• Simone Rossi FPS, South Australia
• Curtis Ruhnau FPS, New South Wales
• Professor Bandana Saini FPS, New South Wales
• Travis Schiller FPS, South Australia
• Brett Simmonds FPS, Queensland
• Dr Kay Sorimachi FPS, Australian Capital Territory
• Helen Stone FPS, South Australia
• Associate Professor Janet Sluggett FPS, South Australia
• Paul Tait FPS, South Australia
• Peter Tenni FPS, Tasmania
• Angus Thompson FPS, Tasmania
• Richard Thorpe FPS, South Australia
• Dr Ella van Tienen FPS, Tasmania
• Heather Volk FPS, Northern Territory
• Michael Wakim FPS, South Australia
• Associate Professor Michael Ward FPS, South Australia
• Lisa Wark FPS, Northern Territory
• Gary West FPS, Queensland
• Christopher Wills FPS, New South Wales
• Georgina Woods FPS, New South Wales

 

 

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

Innovating pharmacists win big in PSA25 Shark Tank

1 August 2025

 

Two pharmacist-led innovations have recieved investment from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Foundation’s Pharmacy Shark Tank as part of PSA25 in Sydney.

 

The winning pitches were selected by a panel of expert Sharks, including national business heavyweights Cathie Reid AM, Rhonda White AO and Paul Naismith, joined by PSA Chief Financial Officer Nick Foster CA.

 

Queensland-based brothers Alfred and Viknesh Bramasta recieved a $3000 investment for PillFlow, a web-based software platform tailored for community pharmacies, designed to optimise the management of dose administration aid systems, reducing errors, streamlining workflows, and ensuring patients receive accurate packs.

 

Adam Choker recieved a $5000 investment for EasySplit, a semi-automated tablet-cutting device aimed at improving the safety, speed, and affordability of medication preparation processes, particularly for the packing of dose administration aids.

 

Choker also took out the People’s Choice Award, decided by audience vote, bringing his total investment to $7000.

 

Pharmacy Shark Tank is proudly sponsored by the PSA Foundation, which supports innovative initiatives that advance the pharmacy profession and improve the health of Australians.

 

PSA National President and Foundation Chair Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated the winners and all participants for their bold thinking and passion for the future of pharmacy.

 

“The Pharmacy Shark Tank showcases the energy, creativity, and commitment of the next generation of pharmacy leaders,” Associate Professor Sim said.

 

“It’s inspiring to see pharmacists from diverse areas of practice, early-career pharmacists and students putting forward solutions that challenge the status quo and aim to deliver better health outcomes for patients. These are the ideas that will shape the future of our profession.

 

“The PSA Foundation is proud to support this initiative, backing pharmacists who are stepping up to lead change through innovation and collaboration.”

 

PSA congratulates all finalists for their outstanding contributions and thanks the PSA Foundation and Shark Tank panellists for making this exciting event possible.

 

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

PSA names nation’s leading pharmacists

 

 

1 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2023 Excellence Awards. Alongside award sponsor Symbion, PSA presented the awards at its National conference, PSA25, in Sydney.

 

Northern Territory pharmacist Jaimee Anderson MPS was awarded the PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year.

 

Victorian pharmacist Dr Kate Wang MPS was awarded the PSA Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.

 

West Australian pharmacist Emeritus Professor Jeff Hughes FPS was awarded the PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated the awardees on their recognition, thanking them for their service to both the profession and their communities.

 

“The PSA Excellence Awards acknowledge the pharmacists who go above and beyond, those who are involved in innovative practice, those who are striving to raise practice standards, and those whose professionalism provides a model of practice which others strive to emulate,” Associate Professor Sim said.

 

“PSA is proud to name Jaimee Anderson as the 2025 Pharmacist of the Year, recognising her outstanding contributions to her community in the Northern Territory, particularly in driving culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and expanding the availability of immunisations in the Territory by training more than 40 pharmacist vaccinators in just 12 months.

 

“I’m pleased to award the 2025 Early Career Pharmacist of the Year to Dr Kate Wang, who continues to lead the way as a pharmacist, academic and researcher, championing the role of our profession particularly in aged care as Australia’s population ages.

 

“The wide-reaching contributions of Emeritus Professor Jeff Hughes is recognised with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement award. Having shaped many areas of practice spanning across clinical hospital practice, academia, community pharmacy, professional leadership and digital health innovation, Professor Hughes is a most deserving recipient of this award.

 

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, congratulations to Jaimee, Kate, and Jeff on your many achievements. Thank you for your service and commitment to the health of all Australians,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

 

Symbion CEO Brett Barons also congratulated the award winners.

 

“Symbion is honoured to support the PSA Excellence Awards and congratulates this year’s award recipients whose passion and dedication has made a significant impact and contribution in pharmacy practice.

 

“We also acknowledge this year’s finalists and extend our deep appreciation to all pharmacists for their tireless and quiet dedication to strengthening the wellbeing of communities across Australia.”

 

 

PSA thanks Symbion for their continued support of the national PSA Excellence Awards.
Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

 

West Australian pharmacist’s lifetime of service honoured on national stage

 

1 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today recognised Perth pharmacist Emeritus Professor Jeff David Hughes FPS with the 2025 PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging his extraordinary contributions to pharmacy over more than four decades.

 

Widely regarded a pioneer in clinical pharmacy, Professor Hughes led Clinical Pharmacy Services at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for a decade, extending his national leadership as PSA National Vice-President (2015-2016) and Director, and through influential service positions including Chair of SHPA’s Clinical Pharmacy Specialty Practice group and Convenor of the WA Antibiotic Guidelines Review Committee.

 

Joining Curtin University in 1997, Professor Hughes built a distinguished academic career, culminating in his appointment as Head of the School of Pharmacy in 2009. Under his leadership, the School’s research output tripled, higher degree enrolments grew by 60%, and its global ranking rose from below to above global standard. He co-founded the Annual Australasian Clinical Pharmacy Education Seminars and secured over $14 million in research funding, with 176 refereed publications and collaborations across Australia, the UK, and Malaysia.

 

A visionary in digital health, Professor Hughes co-developed pain assessment tool PainChek, which has delivered over 7 million assessments across four countries. His ongoing projects include innovations in cardiovascular diagnostics and cancer risk research.

 

Professor Hughes’s career is defined by sustained excellence, innovation, and mentorship. His legacy continues to shape the future of pharmacy in Australia and beyond.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim praised Professor Hughes’s enduring impact on the profession.

 

“Emeritus Professor Jeff Hughes has dedicated his life to pushing our profession forward, trailblazing across areas of pharmacy practice. His leadership, innovation, and generous mentorship have shaped generations of pharmacists and advanced the profession in ways few others have.

 

“Jeff’s work in clinical pharmacy, education, and digital health continues to inspire many, with his career a testament to the power of curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to patient care that defines our profession.

 

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy community, I extend our congratulations to Jeff. We are honoured to celebrate his legacy and look forward to supporting his continued contributions to pharmacy,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

 

PSA thanks Symbion for their continued support of the national PSA Excellence Awards.

 

 

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

Katherine pharmacist Jaimee Anderson receives national honour

 

1 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce Jaimee Anderson as the 2025 PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year, recognising her exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Katherine community.

 

Since returning to Katherine in 2010 as an early career pharmacist, Jaimee has become a cornerstone of the community. Her journey began as the Pharmacist in Charge (PIC) of one of Katherine’s two community pharmacies, where she quickly built a reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to both urban and remote populations.

 

Jaimee’s pioneering spirit led her to establish one of the Northern Territory’s first pharmacy-based vaccination services, and she went on to train over 40 pharmacist vaccinators in just 12 months, dramatically expanding access to immunisation across the region.

 

In 2019, Jaimee joined the Integrating Pharmacists into Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (IPAC) project, a nation-leading initiative delivered by PSA, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and James Cook University (JCU) embedding pharmacists in specialised primary health care teams to improve chronic disease care. It was here she identified a critical gap in diabetes care and responded by becoming a Credentialed Diabetes Educator (CDE).

 

Today, she serves as the Pharmacist CDE at Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, where she provides culturally safe, trauma-informed care to First Nations clients. Recognising the lack of private CDE services in the Big Rivers Region, Jaimee also began consulting at a local GP clinic ensuring that no one in her town is left without access to essential diabetes support. Her work has focused on youth-onset type 2 diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy among First Nations women, leading to the creation of a peer support group and a collaboration with Menzies School of Health Research to expand this model of care across the Territory.

 

Jaimee is currently undertaking Medication Management Review (MMR) and Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) training to further expand her services, and continues to advocate for subsidised continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) access for First Nations people with type 2 diabetes.

 

Her dedication to equitable healthcare, cultural safety, and community empowerment has made her a powerful advocate for pharmacists to make impactful contributions within ACCHOs and general practice – and a deserving recipient of this national honour.

 

In congratulating Ms Anderson, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said: “Jaimee’s work is a shining example of what pharmacists can achieve when they lead with heart, knowledge, and a deep connection to their community. Her impact in Katherine and beyond is truly inspiring.”

 

“Jaimee’s story reflects the very best of our profession. This recognition is very much deserved.

“Congratulations Jaimee, we cannot wait to see what you continue to achieve.”

PSA thanks Symbion for their continued support of the national PSA Excellence Awards.

 

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

 

Victorian pharmacist Dr Kate Wang named Early Career Pharmacist of the year

1 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce Dr Kate Wang MPS as the 2025 PSA Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.

 

Dr Wang MPS is driving innovation and expansion of the pharmacy profession, particularly in reducing the risk of medicine harm in aged care. A Senior Lecturer in pharmacy at RMIT, Dr Wang is passionate about education future pharmacists and expanding the profession’s scope of practice.

 

She is also the chief investigator and stakeholder liaison officer for a nation-wide project integrating pharmacists into aged care, paving the way for more pharmacists to make a real difference to patients at risk of medicine harm. Dr Wang is also currently investigating the utilisation of e-prescriptions from the perspectives of consumers as well as pharmacists.

 

Kate’s influence extends internationally, collaborating with international partners in New Zealand, Korea, and China to explore the impact of beliefs and adherence on medicine use in older people and expand the roles of pharmacists in aged care.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated Dr Wang, saying: “Kate is an outstanding pharmacist who is leaving her mark on the pharmacy profession, particularly through her work in improving Quality Use of Medicines and medicine safety in aged care.”

 

“Pharmacists are often defined by the positive relationships we have with our patients and our communities, and Jackie has demonstrated just how important they are both inside the pharmacy and out.

 

“On behalf of the pharmacy profession, I congratulate Dr Wang on being named the 2025 PSA Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year.”

 

PSA thanks Symbion for their continued support of the national PSA Excellence Awards.

 

 

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

PSA celebrates record-breaking 20,000 members at PSA25

1 August 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today announced that its membership has surpassed 20,000 for the first time in its history as a national organisation.

 

PSA remains the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all areas of practice, supporting the pharmacy profession with the education, advocacy and community they need to thrive.

 

The historic announcement was made to over 1100 pharmacists, industry representatives and stakeholders from across the country at PSA’s flagship national conference PSA25.

 

“20,000 members have chosen PSA as their professional home, to support them and be their professional partner,” PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said.

 

“As our membership continues to grow, PSA is also better positioned than ever to advocate for the profession, to lift standards, and to influence policy and decision-makers which impact pharmacists’ practice at the highest levels. A growing membership gives us the scale required for us to deliver more for our members.

 

“This growth reflects the value pharmacists see in what PSA offers. Pharmacists are looking for more than just representation, they’re looking for support, connection, and leadership. PSA is delivering on that promise and more.”

 

“We’re investing in expert-led, flexible education to support every stage of pharmacy careers and across areas of practice. We’re building a connected, passionate community that understands the goals and challenges our members face. We’re collaborating with other organisations and partners in giving pharmacists the confidence to expand their scope of practice, and we’re driving innovation and advocacy to shape the future of our profession.

 

“PSA is the home for every pharmacist. We are proud to be supporting more members than ever before, supporting your career, and helping you thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

 

Pharmacists and pharmacy students are invited to join the growing PSA community. Learn more about membership benefits at www.psa.org.au

 

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

Negotiations on pharmacy programs agreement underway

1 August 2025

 

Addressing PSA25 delegates today, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler MP has announced that negotiations have begun for the first Pharmacy Programs Agreement with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

PSA will lead negotiations on behalf of the profession and be signatory to the agreement.

 

Announced in January 2025, the Pharmacy Programs Agreement will see PSA and the Commonwealth work together to strengthen programs delivered by pharmacists across the health system.
 

The Agreement is set to cover a range of pharmacy programs that no longer sit within the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement, including but not limited to medication management programs (including Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs, and rural support programs that encompass pharmacists in a range of practice areas.

 

The commencement of formal negotiations follows PSA’s open consultation with pharmacists and key stakeholders, and sector-wide roundtable in April.

 

Welcoming the commencement of negotiations, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS thanked Minister Butler for his leadership and willingness to work alongside the pharmacy profession.

 

“With negotiations now underway, we’re a step closer to realising the reform we’ve long known needed to happen to allow pharmacists to best serve our patients.
 

“We know these programs work, but for too long pharmacy programs have been scattered across a range of mechanisms without comprehensive evaluation of their impact. That’s part of what this agreement will do.

“Throughout negotiations, PSA remains committed to genuine collaboration with stakeholders to ensure programs are fit-for-purpose, evidence-based and sustainable into the future.

 

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I thank Minister Butler for his genuine commitment to working alongside the profession to achieve better outcomes for patients. We look forward to continuing our work alongside government to strengthen pharmacy programs and build a stronger profession now and into the future,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

 

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

 

PSA leads new initiative to improve medicine safety for Australians with intellectual disability

25 July 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced a new initiative to improve medicine safety and health outcomes for people with intellectual disability, in partnership with the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID) and the University of Newcastle (UoN).

 

Supported by the 2025 Innovation Seed Funding Grants from the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health, the project aims to empower people with intellectual disability to feel confident, informed, and in control of their medicines.

 

Australians with intellectual disability face serious and persistent health inequities, including a 4.5-fold higher risk of preventable hospitalisations and more than twice the rate of avoidable deaths. This initiative seeks to close that gap by improving health literacy, medicine safety, and access to pharmacist-led services such as medication reviews, dose administration aids, prescribing, and injectable medicines.
 

As part of the project, PSA will work alongside SACID and people with intellectual disability to co-design interactive workshops and Easy Read resources that build understanding of safe medicine use and highlight how pharmacists can support individual health needs.
 

“Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support Australians with intellectual disability through personalised, accessible, and inclusive care,” PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said.

 

“This initiative builds on our Medicine Safety: Disability Care report and reaffirms PSA’s commitment to making healthcare more inclusive, accessible, and safe for all Australians.

 

“By bringing together lived experience, clinical expertise, and research, this collaboration is a powerful step toward reducing health inequities and delivering better, safer care for a community that has long been overlooked.”

 

SACID Executive Director Felicity Crowther added: “Accessible health information is key to improving health outcomes for people with intellectual disability.

 

“It is also important for people with intellectual disability to understand the role their pharmacist can have in supporting their health. SACID is pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside PSA and UoN on this new project,” Ms Crowther concluded.

 

The project is currently in development, with delivery expected to commence in 2026.

 

PSA continues to lead national efforts to improve medicine safety for all Australians, ensuring no one is left behind.

 

 

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