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.