PSA champions pharmacist-led mental health support

22 OCTOBER 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to support Mental Health Month 2025, highlighting the critical role pharmacists play in the early identification and support of mental ill-health in the community. October marks a national effort to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all Australians.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Mental Health Care report which was released in November 2023 highlighted the opportunities for pharmacists to better support Australians using medicines to treat mental health conditions. The report called for improved access to care and investment in quality use of medicines services at critical points of care.

 

Key findings from the report included:

• People with severe mental health conditions have a 12–16-year shorter life expectancy than the general population.
• 18% of Australians use medicines to treat a mental health condition.
• Antidepressants were involved in 31% of medicine-related deaths due to overdose; antipsychotics in 17%.

 

Pharmacists are often the most accessible health professionals in the community and are uniquely placed to connect with people at crucial times, including before a crisis develops and becomes overwhelming.

 

In 2025, PSA has delivered Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to pharmacists and pharmacy staff in South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland through funded projects. The South Australian Government, through the Office of the Chief Pharmacist, commissioned PSA to deliver MHFA training to at least 1,000 participants by May 2026. As of September 2025, 751 participants have completed this training through the project.

 

The impact of this training is evident in practice. Following a recent face-to-face MHFA session, one pharmacist shared:

 

“One of my elderly clients expressed a desire to die. She asked what would happen if she stopped taking her medications. She wanted to ‘just switch herself off’. She is lonely, as her daughter had died last year. I used the skills from the MHFA course to focus on the positives in her life and shared some of my own experiences. I encouraged her to visit the pharmacy regularly to chat as she lives locally. I truly believe I saved a life that morning.”

 

The pharmacist described the training as “brilliant” as it helped them to work through the situation calmly. They expressed deep gratitude to the South Australian Government and the PSA trainer for a life-changing experience.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said pharmacists were among the most accessible health professionals in our communities.   “With the right training and support, they can play a transformative role in recognising early signs of mental ill-health, offering timely care, and guiding people towards the help they need. Their everyday interactions can be life-changing” she said.

 

The Mental Health South Australia Project is continuing until May 2026, offering pharmacists and pharmacy staff across South Australia the opportunity to complete MHFA training. PSA encourages all eligible pharmacists whether in community, general practice, or aged care settings to take advantage of this initiative and strengthen their role in supporting mental wellbeing in their communities.

 

PSA also has upskilled 27 pharmacists in Queensland with MHFA training through generous funding from the PSA Foundation. In addition, PSA recently completed the delivery of MHFA training to185 pharmacists and pharmacy staff in a project funded by the WA Mental Health Commission, delivered through digital and face-to-face workshops.

 

Medicine safety: Mental health care report – Pharmaceutical Society of Australia 

Mental Health Month 2025 – Mental Health Coalition of South Australia 

2025 Mental Health Calendar | National Mental Health Commission

 

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Media contact:   Leah Jacobsen   M: 0480 099 798  E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au

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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.

Celebrating Australia’s pharmacy technicians and assistants

Today, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) proudly celebrates Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants Day, recognising Australia’s dedicated pharmacy support staff who work tirelessly to ensure smooth operations and enhance the quality of care we deliver to patients every day – particularly in rural and regional areas.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS emphasised the critical role that pharmacy technicians and assistants played in supporting clinical services.

 

“As the scope of practice for many pharmacists continues to expand, the role of pharmacy assistants and technicians is becoming even more integral to everything we do. From administrative or backend support to direct patient interactions, their contribution to the overall team capacity and efficiency is invaluable,” A/Prof Sim said.

 

“Pharmacy technicians and assistants are involved in the operational aspects of pharmacy practice and taking on more direct responsibilities to support the role of pharmacists in clinical settings.
 

“The clinical support technicians and assistants provide allows pharmacists to extend their focus to clinical roles and practising to their full and top of scope, including in the long term management of diseases, preventive health services, and complex medication therapy. Their contributions are vital to the seamless integration of clinical services in our pharmacies, ultimately improving health outcomes for our communities.

 

“As a training and education provider for the pharmacy workforce, PSA appreciates the importance of supporting the technicians and assistants with training and upskilling opportunities, which is why we are investing into this area.”

 

A/Prof Sim encouraged all pharmacists to take a moment today to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of their technicians and assistants.

 

“Whether through a formal recognition event or simply a kind word of appreciation, today is a day to show our gratitude for their vital role in the pharmacy profession,” she said.

“On this Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants Day, the PSA extends its heartfelt thanks to all pharmacy support staff for their tireless efforts and commitment to improving the health and well-being of Australians.”

 

 

ENDS

 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen  M: 0480 099 798  E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au

PSA signs agreement to acquire the Australasian College of Pharmacy

20 OCTOBER 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Australasian College of Pharmacy, marking a significant step for expanding education offerings and professional and practice support for members and the pharmacy profession.

 

PSA’s Board announced negotiations had successfully concluded and, while there are still steps to be completed before the settlement, PSA is focused on how the acquisition will strengthen its leadership in education and training for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and technicians. The acquisition allows PSA to grow its industry-leading education and workforce development programs.  The PSA Board is confident this is the right path forward for PSA, its members, and the broader profession.

 

National President and Chair of the PSA Board Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the agreement was a transformational opportunity for the future of pharmacy education.

 

“This agreement is a major milestone in our journey to strengthen and unify pharmacy education in Australia,” A/Prof Sim said. “As the custodian for standards and guidelines for professional practice, the acquisition of the College by the PSA is a further strategic step toward building scale, capability, and capacity for pharmacy education in Australia, amidst the fast-evolving practice landscape.

“This agreement reflects our shared intent and commitment to invest in the future of the profession and ensure pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and technicians are supported at every stage of their careers. The acquisition aligns with PSA’s broader strategy to support the profession through a period of significant transformation, including the expansion of scope of practice and increasing demands on the healthcare system.

 

“This is about building a stronger, more sustainable future for pharmacy education, so we can do more for our members. As the peak body representing all pharmacists in Australia, PSA continues to represent pharmacists across the profession and their interests, whilst continuing our commitment to uphold and support high standards of practice. We are proud to lead this work and look forward to continuing to support our members with the highest quality education and professional development,” A/Prof Sim said.

 

PSA will continue to engage with stakeholders throughout the transition process, with a focus on continuity, quality, and innovation in education delivery.

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

Funding available for Pharmacists’ training to deliver expanded care under new SA Government initiative

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the South Australian Government’s announcement yesterday of a comprehensive training support package to help community pharmacists deliver expanded healthcare services across the state. This initiative includes government subsidies of up to $8,500 towards costs of postgraduate training, enabling pharmacists to assess and treat a broader range of conditions including ear infections, shingles, wound management, acne, gastrooesophageal reflux disease, and muscle and joint pain.

 

The Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton announced one training option for SA pharmacists would be a Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing, offered by Adelaide University. PSA is seeking SA Health approval for its Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program. The training ensures national consistency by aligning with national standards and guidelines and will include content tailored for SA pharmacists, aligning with the regulatory and legislative framework underpinning expanded scope of practice.

 

PSA SA/NT President Adjunct Professor Manya Angley FPS said the announcement was a significant step forward in recognising pharmacists as accessible, highly trained healthcare professionals.

 

“This is a landmark moment for pharmacy in South Australia,” Prof Angley said. “Empowering pharmacists to deliver more frontline care means patients can access timely treatment close to home, particularly in areas where GP services are stretched or unavailable. Pharmacists are ready and willing to take on this expanded scope.  PSA is proud to be a leading provider of pharmacist education and training, including our prescribing program, and is committed to supporting pharmacists through high-quality education and training. We look forward to working with the South Australian Government and other stakeholders to ensure pharmacists are supported to deliver these services safely and confidently.”

 

The initiative builds on the success of existing pharmacist-led services in South Australia, including vaccination, oral contraceptive resupply, and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Data shows a 27% reduction in metropolitan hospital presentations for UTIs since the pharmacy service began.

 

“We’ve already seen the impact of pharmacist-led care in reducing emergency department presentations and improving access to timely treatment,” Prof Angley said. “This expansion will further strengthen the role of community pharmacists in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care.”

 

For more information on PSA’s prescribing training program, visit: https://www.psa.org.au/career-and-support/pharmacist-prescribing-training/

 

Media contact:   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.

ACT pharmacists empowered to deliver more care

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the ACT Government’s announcement to expand pharmacist scope of practice, enabling pharmacists to deliver more accessible care to Canberrans.

 

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said trained pharmacists would be able to provide a broader range of services to manage common conditions such as mild musculoskeletal pain, reflux, rhinitis, acne, and nausea. These services build on existing pharmacist-led care for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), resupply of the oral contraceptive pill, and skin conditions.

 

The Pharmacist Vaccination Standards will also be amended to allow pharmacists and interns to administer influenza vaccines to children aged two and older, lowering the current minimum age from five. Importantly, the Government has confirmed that Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods (MPTG) licensing requirements will be streamlined, with pharmacists expected to deliver UTI and OCP services without the need for additional licensing by the end of 2025. Access to expanded skin condition services is anticipated to follow in early 2026.

 

PSA ACT President Erin Cooper said the announcement was a significant step forward in improving access to care for Canberrans.

 

“We warmly welcome and congratulate the ACT Government on this important initiative,” Ms Cooper said.  “Pharmacists are trusted, accessible health professionals who are ready to do more. These changes will make it easier for families to access timely care close to home.  This is a win for patients and a win for the ACT health system. We look forward to working with the government to ensure pharmacists are supported with the training and resources needed to deliver these services safely and effectively.”

 

The PSA continues to lead national efforts to support pharmacist scope of practice reform, ensuring pharmacists can meet the evolving health needs of their communities.

 

Media contact:   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.

Pharmacists and industry unite in parliament to champion quality use of medicines

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and Consumer Healthcare Products Australia (CHP Australia) came together at the Australian Parliament House on Tuesday 7 October to highlight their shared commitment to improving medicines safety and promoting the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) across Australia. Pharmacists play a vital role in helping Australians use prescription and non-prescription medicines safely and effectively, supported by a consumer healthcare industry that empowers people to make informed self-care decisions.

 

The Self-Care Opportunity Report shows three in five Australians (58%) rely on pharmacist advice about non-prescription medicines. Yet one in four (25%) do not know what an active ingredient is, and over half (54%) don’t keep an up-to-date medicines list.

 

Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, National President of PSA said pharmacists were essential to ensuring medicines safety and equitable access to care.

 

“Quality use of medicines and medicines safety is Australia’s 10^th National Health Priority Area,” she said. “Medicines are used in every part of our health system. Every day, pharmacists play an irreplaceable role in promoting the safe and effective use of medicines and vaccines. As the government-recognised national peak body representing all 41,000 registered pharmacists in Australia and the signatory to the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice with the Australian Government, the PSA is committed to supporting the workforce to deliver high quality professional care.”  

 

CHP Australia CEO, Judy Stenmark, said the partnership highlighted the role of collaboration in improving health literacy and supporting consumer self-care.

 

“Over-the-counter and non-prescription medicines and products play a vital role in helping Australians manage their health and wellbeing,” she said. “By partnering with PSA, we are helping ensure consumers have access to accurate information and professional support to use these products safely and effectively, across a wide range of medical and community settings.”

 

Together, PSA and CHP Australia are driving a national conversation about the Quality Use of Medicines, championing the vital role of pharmacists and the consumer healthcare industry in keeping Australians safe and well. By combining their expertise in professional practice, education and consumer engagement, the two organisations are calling for continued collaboration across government and the health sector to put medicines safety and informed self-care at the heart of Australia’s healthcare future.

 

 

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