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