Deadly Pharmacists Project
Deadly pharmacists: foundation training for pharmacists working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
What did we do?
Co-designed and developed with the PSA and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Deadly pharmacists modules equip pharmacists with the skills to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services, people and communities.
The seven online modules cover topics such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, communication skills including how to use clinical yarning in your practice and conditions of prevalence in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Deadly Pharmacists modules are available to all pharmacists (free of charge for PSA members, $60/module for non-members).
To enrol in the modules, click on the below links;
- Deadly pharmacists: People – cultures and histories
- Deadly pharmacists: Communication
- Deadly pharmacists: Clinical conditions
- Deadly pharmacists: Programs for medicines access and medicines management principles
- Deadly pharmacists: Clinical care
- Deadly pharmacists: Models of care – The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service
- Deadly pharmacists: The Medicare Benefits Schedule, clinical information systems and clinical governance
Why did we do it?
The Deadly Pharmacists modules were initially created with a focus on the role of pharmacists integrated within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), however they are relevant to all pharmacists on their lifelong journey to providing culturally safe care.
Value to PSA members
This training supports pharmacists to provide culturally responsive care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities and helps to build a career pathway for pharmacists wanting to work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health services. It also complements the Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Practice Community of Speciality Interest (CSI).
Project impact
- The original course was launched in 2022 and remained available until August 2025. Over this 3-year period, enrolments exceeded 5,500.
- The modules were updated and re-launched in September 2025 and will remain available until September 2028.
Co-designed with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
Artist’s acknowledgement and story of artwork
Lani Balzan is the artist and a proud Aboriginal woman from the Wiradjuri people of the three-river tribe. Her family originates from Mudgee but she grew up all over Australia and lived in many different towns. She now calls the Illawarra home. The artwork centrepiece represents the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, receiving care from the pharmacists, learning about the need to have connected, joined up care, through this training platform, which is culturally appropriate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For more information about this project, please contact Megan Tremlett and Hannah Loller
