PSA’s annual celebration calls on Australians to thank their pharmacist!

26 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for Australians to recognise, celebrate, and thank their pharmacists this Thank Your Pharmacist Day.  

 

With the theme “wherever medicines are,” this Thank Your Pharmacist Day we celebrate the 41,000 Australian pharmacists working across various practice settings to support the health and well-being of our communities.  

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, said Thank Your Pharmacist Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the breadth of pharmacists’ roles and the trust communities place in them every day.  

 

“Wherever there are medicines, there are pharmacists ensuring these medicines are used safely, supporting people to manage their health, and helping to prevent harm,” Professor Naunton said. 

 

“Pharmacists practice in a wide range of settings and increasingly provide care beyond the traditional dispensary, supporting patients wherever medicines touch their lives.  

 

“We have pharmacists educating the next generation of pharmacists, advocating for regulatory and policy change, working in software, innovation, and distribution, who are not often seen, and they deserve to be celebrated today and every day. 

 

“Thank you to every pharmacist out there, whether you are in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, aged care, general practice, defence, academia, industry, providing home medicines reviews, you name it, we see you, we hear you, we are advocating for you, and we are here to support you.” 

 

The PSA remains committed to empowering pharmacists through advocacy, education and practice support for all pharmacists, regardless of where they are in their professional journey.  

 

The PSA is encouraging Australians to take part in Thank Your Pharmacist Day by thanking their pharmacist in person or sharing a message of appreciation on social media using #ThankYourPharmacistDay or #TYPD26.  

 

Further information, including resources to get involved, is available at: https://www.psa.org.au/thankyourpharmacist/  

 

 

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 launches its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

19 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today recognises National Close the Gap Day and reaffirms its commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity through a range of initiatives to enable pharmacists to deliver culturally safe care to First Nations people.

 

Recognising this, the PSA is proud to launch its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-2027 (RAP). In encouraging meaningful action towards health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, PSA’s Innovate RAP reinforces its commitment to reconciliation, equity, and culturally safe healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

The Innovate RAP outlines the shift from reflection to action, embedding cultural safety in pharmacy education, strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and supporting greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce participation across the profession.

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, reflected that building a more inclusive and responsive pharmacy profession is at the forefront of PSA’s work.

 

“Our Innovate RAP moves our commitment from abstract into action, embedding cultural safety into the education we produce, strengthening partnerships with community-controlled health organisations, and increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce representation. 

 

“The PSA is committed to walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, guided by respect and shared purpose. We will continue to advocate, educate, and lead with integrity, ensuring that every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person has access to health care that is not only safe and effective, but also culturally safe and empowering. 

 

“I extend my sincerest thanks to our RAP Working Group, our partners at NACCHO, and all those who have contributed to this plan as we continue to shape a future where reconciliation is lived every day, in our workplaces, our communities, and our care.” 

 

In developing PSA’s Innovate RAP, the PSA commissioned Summah Holden, a proud Dunghutti woman, pharmacy student, and talented artist, to develop the accompanying artwork.

 

Ms Holden reflected on how the artwork tells the story of PSA’s reconciliation journey through the lens of Country, culture, and community:

 

“This piece is one I am incredibly proud of. It holds my pride, softness, advocacy, and my love for our people by honouring the voices, histories, and medicines that have guided us for generations, while celebrating the steps PSA is taking to walk alongside the community with respect, truth, and action,” said Summah.

 

“I wanted to show what culturally safe care looks like when it’s lived. Listening first, learning with humility, and embedding that knowledge into practice. Every layer represents First Nations knowledge. The landscapes, medicines, symbols, and pathways all speak to the strength, diversity, and resilience of our people.

 

“I love the work PSA does to embed cultural responsiveness into every fibre of the organisation, and to create something that reflects that for them is truly humbling.” 

 

To learn more about PSA’s Innovate RAP, please visit: https://www.psa.org.au/about/innovate-rap/.  

 

Innovate RAP Artwork by Summah Holden 

 

PSA’s Chris Braithwaite alongside Summah Holden

 

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. 

Pharmacists welcome needle-free flu vaccine rollout for WA children

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed the Cook Government’s $4.78 million investment to secure 130,000 doses of the FluMist intranasal influenza vaccine for children aged two to under 12 years ahead of the 2026 flu season.

 

The initiative, announced by Health Minister Meredith Hammat and Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton, aims to boost childhood vaccination rates and reduce flu-related illness and hospitalisations across Western Australia. 

 

PSA WA President Kristian Ray MPS said pharmacists were ready to support the rollout.

 

“We welcome and congratulate the Cook Government for this initiative. This is a game-changer for children who experience needle anxiety,” Mr Ray said.

 

“Pharmacists are integral to improving immunisation rates and reducing pressure on our health system and we look forward to working with the WA Government to deliver this important public health initiative.”

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the announcement reflected growing recognition of pharmacists’ role in contributing towards reaching our immunisation target in Australia.

 

“WA Government’s decision today shows leadership and commitment to prioritise children’s health,” A/Prof Sim said.

 

“No children should be disadvantaged – we call on all state and territory governments to modernise legislation so every child, no matter their postcode, can access free, convenient, and needle-free protection.

 

“While these programs are essential now, long-term equity requires national leadership and harmonisation across jurisdictions.

 

A/Prof Sim added that while state programs were essential now, long-term equity requires national leadership and harmonisation across jurisdictions.

 

“We note that FluMist is currently being considered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee for the National Immunisation Program. Federal funding will be critical for national consistency — but until then, states and territories must step up to protect children against this vaccine-preventable disease,” A/Prof Sim concluded.

 

Supporting pharmacists
To further support the profession in implementing intranasal influenza vaccination, PSA will deliver a dedicated webinar, a quick reference guide, and learning module launching October 2025. These resources will equip pharmacists with practical guidance and clinical confidence to integrate needle-free vaccination into practice.

 

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.

Tasmanians to benefit from expanded pharmacist care

25 September 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement on World Pharmacists Day to expand the role of community pharmacists, enabling them to provide more care to Tasmanians closer to home.

 

Pharmacists who undertake post-graduate training will be able to provide treatment for a broader range of common health conditions, including ear infections, reflux, rhinitis, shingles, eczema, and wound care.

 

From December, appropriately credentialed pharmacists will also be able to initiate and continue hormonal contraception for women.

PSA Tasmanian President Joanne Gross MPS welcomed the announcement as a significant step toward improving access to timely, safe and accessible healthcare across the state.

 

“This is a win for Tasmanians. Expanding the scope of pharmacists means more people will be able to access the care they need, when and where they need it,” Ms Gross said.

 

“Pharmacists are highly trained, trusted health professionals who are ready to do more. With the right training and support, we can help ease the burden on GPs and emergency departments by managing common conditions safely and effectively in the community.

 

“We commend the Tasmanian Government for recognising the value pharmacists bring to the healthcare system and for investing in the workforce through training and scholarships.

 

“This announcement builds on the success of pharmacist-led care for urinary tract infections and oral contraceptive resupply, which have already provided timely and quality care to thousands of patients, improving health outcomes for Tasmanians,” Ms Gross concluded.

 

The PSA looks forward to working closely with the Tasmanian Government to implement the training model and ensure pharmacists are supported to safely deliver these expanded services.

 

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.