‘Exceptional initiative in pharmacy delivery’

A pharmacist at the Royal Hobart Hospital and a recently graduated PSA intern, Ms Dowling has demonstrated exceptional initiative in pharmacy delivery.

Her work in medicines governance and access included vaccine prescribing and distribution, leading to updates in the Tasmanian Medication Formulary and guiding pharmacy supply decisions.

Ms Dowling has also played a key role in improving vancomycin level monitoring in the neurosurgery ward, identifying administration errors, and developing targeted education for nursing staff to enhance patient safety.

Beyond her clinical contributions, Ms Dowling has been a leader among her peers — mentoring new pharmacy interns, supervising University of Tasmania pharmacy students, and facilitating education sessions for fellow interns.

‘An incredible example of what it means to be a pharmacist’

PSA Tasmania President Mark Kirschbaum FPS praised Ms Dowling for her dedication to advancing pharmacy practice.

“Lucinda has set an incredible example of what it means to be a pharmacist — demonstrating leadership, initiative, and a dedication to medicines safety that will serve her well throughout her career,” he said.

‘On behalf of PSA, I congratulate Lucinda on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to continuing to support her throughout her undoubtedly bright pharmacy career ahead.”

The award was presented at the PSA Intern of the Year and Welcome to the Profession event on 21 February 2025 at T42 Hobart.

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The 22 April 2025 deadline ensures applications are processed before interim funding arrangements end on 30 June.

PSA guarantees that pharmacists who submit a complete MMR RPL application before 22 April will have their RPL processed and new credential issued before 1 July.

Submission made after this date will still be processed, however, may not be completed before 1 July.

Pharmacists are reminded that from 1 July 2025, those who have not obtained a new credential will be unable to claim fees for MMR services, as current Medication Review Numbers (MRNs) will become invalid.

PSA continues to support consultant pharmacists by offering complimentary MMR RPL for professional plus members.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS says the guarantee gives pharmacists certainty about their ability to continue providing MMR services uninterrupted.

“The temporary extension of MRNs meant that pharmacists had more time to transition to new credentials, minimising disruption to patient services and allowing the existing workforce to continue providing MMR services,” says Associate Professor Sim.

“As we now approach the end of this extension, our team is preparing for an influx of applications.

“To ensure that critical MMR services are not interrupted, PSA is guaranteeing that all RPL applications submitted before 22 April will be processed before 1 July.

“I strongly encourage pharmacists who have not yet enrolled in the RPL course and submitted the required evidence to do so as soon as possible, ensuring that your services are not interrupted on 1 July.”

PSA Consultant Pharmacist Community of Specialty Interest (CSI) Chair Deborah Hawthorne FPS CredPharm (MMR) also encourages pharmacists to connect with the CSI for support.

“As the temporary extension of our MRNs comes to an end, now is time to gather and submit evidence for your RPL,” says Ms Hawthorne.

“Our Consultant Pharmacists CSI Facebook group is a valuable resource for members undertaking RPL, particularly when it comes to the peer review process.

“I encourage PSA members to join our community and reach out to peers for support as we near 1 July.”

PSA has provided pharmacists detailed information and a step-by-step guide to submitting RPL evidence on a dedicated webpage, available here.

PSA’s credentialing team is also available to assist learners via credentialing@psa.org.au.

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Announced on 6 February 2025 by by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton MP, effective immediately, South Australian pharmacist immunisers can authorise and administer any vaccine within their individual scope of practice, including for the first time travel health vaccines for cholera, rabies and typhoid.

The SA Government has also removed age-based restrictions, improving accessibility.

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President Dr Manya Angley FPS welcomes the move.

“South Australian pharmacists will be authorised to prescribe and administer vaccines from the same vaccine formulary as every other vaccinator – the Australian Immunisation Handbook,” says Dr Angley.

“This will dramatically improve access and convenience for South Australians.

“South Australia is leading the nation in scope of pharmacist-administered vaccines, a fact that we should be very proud of.”

‘The reforms are nation-leading’

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS describes the reforms as “nation-leading” and urges other jurisdictions to adopt the South Australian approach.

“Regulation should enable, rather than restrict good health care provision,” she says.

“This approach will unlock a new level of care, and should be the standard all other states and territories aspire to.

“PSA is advocating to regulators in every other Australian jurisdiction urging for alignment of these regulatory changes in each jurisdiction to unleash the potential of pharmacists in protecting the health and wellbeing of Australians.”

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As the peak body for all pharmacists practising across Australia’s health system, PSA highlights opportunities to support pharmacists as medicine experts to improve the quality use of medicines and medicine safety in all areas of practice.

PSA’s submission highlights opportunities to improve patient access to equitable healthcare and medicine safety by strengthening the role of pharmacists with sustainable funding models, calling for:

• Equitably funding pharmacist services, including annual indexation, rural and after-
  hours loading.
• Lifting remuneration to align with other health professions delivering vaccinations
  under the National Immunisation Program.
• Investing in First Nations health by funding the Integrating Pharmacists within
  Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (IPAC) program as recommended by
  the Medical Services Advisory Committee.
• Making medicines expertise and support more accessible to Australians living with
  chronic illness by doubling the Workforce Incentive Program funding for general
  practices that embed pharmacists, and funding pharmacists to participate in
  multidisciplinary case conferencing.
• Further supporting professional pharmacy practice by funding measures that bring
  standards and guidelines in line with growing scope of practice.

PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, says that unlocking the full potential of pharmacists is critical to meeting the country’s growing health needs.

“Pharmacists are ready and willing to do more for our patients – now we need the tools and
support to do so sustainably,” she says.

“This budget is an opportunity to address long standing inequalities in funding, giving pharmacists the recognition that they deserve.

“Every day, Australians turn to their local pharmacist for timely, expert care. With investment in services, education, and workforce sustainability, we can continue to strengthen and scale up the services we provide, improving patient access to care and reducing pressure on the health system.

“Our message to government is clear, invest in pharmacists, and we will deliver better health outcomes for all Australians.”

PSA’s 2024-25 Federal Budget submission is available in full here: Budget Submissions.

Text by: PSA.

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For the first time, eligible patients will be able to obtain medicines for UTIs and hormonal contraceptives at Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) pricing, improving affordability and accessibility.

‘Breaking down healthcare barriers’

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, who has co-chaired the Access, Care and Outcome Subcommittee under the federal government’s Women’s Health Advisory Council since 2023, describes the announcement as a significant step forward in breaking down healthcare barriers, particularly in rural and regional areas.

“Women deserve to receive timely, high-quality care, and pharmacists are trained and ready to support them in managing their health,” says Associate Professor Sim.

‘Announcement takes pharmacy programs further’

Associate Professor Sim emphasises the critical role pharmacists already play in enabling women to access treatment for UTIs and repeat prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives.

“This announcement will take these programs one step further, allowing pharmacists to initiate hormonal contraceptives and supply medications under the PBS for the first time,” she says.

With bipartisan support, cements pharmacists’ role as trust, accessible healthcare providers, reinforcing their ability to deliver essential women’s health services.

“Community pharmacists are trusted, accessible healthcare professionals.

“These policy changes are a game changer for women around the country,” says Associate Professor Sim.

PSA committed to pharmacy education and training

PSA is committed to equipping pharmacists with high-quality education and training to ensure safe and effective care under the new policies.

“PSA is proud to support these initiatives with high-quality education and training for pharmacists, building the capacity and expertise of our profession as we scale up our health care services for women across Australia.

“PSA looks forward to working closely with governments and healthcare stakeholders to ensure the success of these trials and to continue strengthening pharmacists’ role in women’s healthcare across Australia,” says Associate Professor Sim.

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The Medicine Safety: Child and Adolescent Care report reveals the extent of medicine-related problems in children and adolescents.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the report’s findings painted a sobering reality of medicine use in Australia’s children and adolescents, showing the urgent need for reform.

“As the peak body for all pharmacists in all areas of practice, PSA continues to advocate for pharmacists to be further empowered in their roles as medicine safety experts.

“Our health system is failing children and adolescents. As a health community, we must commit to doing better, but we also need to be given the resources and tools to do better. Pharmacists are critical to ensure the safe use of medicines and must be supported to do so.

“That means adequately staffing children’s hospital wards with the expertise of pharmacists, investing in systems that capture the data needed for evidence-based policy, and improving the quality use of medicines whenever medicines are used.

“It takes all of us, across all areas of practice and indeed across all health professions, to make a difference to the children and adolescents who rely on our care,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

Read the report here: psa.org.au/medicine-safety-child-adolescent-care-report/

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Established in 1976, the College delivers member-based education, training and research programs tailored to pharmacy professionals.

PSA’s acquisition aligns with its broader strategy to enhance a sustainable future as the premier training body in pharmacy.

‘A transformational opportunity’

National President and Chair of the PSA Board Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS says the acquisition will be a transformational opportunity to grow PSA’s industry-leading education and workforce development offer.

“The PSA Board’s strategic decision to acquire the Australasian College of Pharmacy secures a long-term future for pharmacy workforce education.

“It puts PSA in a stronger representative and financial position to support and advocate for our members during this pivotal time of practice change in pharmacy,” says Associate Professor Sim.

The PSA Board has carefully considered the impact of acquiring the College, and alongside independent advice from third-party experts the Board is confident this is the right path forward for PSA, its members, and the broader profession.

“Growing our footprint within pharmacy education means we can further invest in not only education, but also the professional and practice support PSA provides,” says Associate Professor Sim.

‘A shared Commitment to providing relevant education to pharmacists’

ACP Chief Executive Officer Amanda Seeto says the College and the PSA have always shared a commitment to providing contemporary education and training in a format that is accessible, efficient, and most importantly, highly relevant to Australian pharmacists.

“This exciting and pragmatic change maximises the focus on world-leading professional development for Australian pharmacists, no matter their practice setting or career stage,” says Ms Seeto.

“The move will set our sector up for success, at a time when pharmacy is becoming an increasingly valued frontline health service.”

PSA members are set to vote on matters relating to the acquisition at an upcoming meeting.

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“Anna is a truly outstanding pharmacist,” says PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS.

“A pioneer of innovation, she has consistently transformed access to care in her community and beyond.

“I have been privileged to see first-hand Anna’s work, and hope that others are as inspired and energised as I am by her contribution to the community and to the next generation of pharmacists.”

‘Enormous contribution to the pharmacy profession’

Ms Barwick founded PharmOnline, an innovative platform which connects Australian patients living in remote areas with pharmacy services.

A pharmacy academic from Walcha, NSW, she previously served on the PSA NSW Branch Committee, including holding the role of vice-president from 2014-2020.

“Long recognised by the profession, having won PSA’s Pharmacy Shark Tank award in 2021 and NSW Pharmacist of the Year in 2021, I am excited to see her achievements recognised on the national stage,” adds Associate Professor Sim.

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I sincerely congratulate Anna on this well-deserved recognition.”

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Pill testing aims to reduce harms associated with illicit substance use by providing users with information about the contents of their drugs.

A 2023 evaluation of the ACT’s CanTEST service revealed only 53% of substances tested matched the expected drug.

When unexpected or additional substances were identified, one-third of individuals reported they would “definitely not” use the drug.

‘It’s not about saying ‘this substance is safe” 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS emphasises the importance of these services.

“Having drug checking services available is key to reducing hard of illicit substances,” says Associate Professor Sim.

“This isn’t about telling consumers ‘this substance is safe’, it’s about allowing them to make informed decisions about the risks of the substances they have.”

‘Pill testing and drug checking saves lives’

Australia’s National Drug Strategy has prioritised harm minimisation since 1985, and pill testing aligns with this principle.

Associate Professor Sim notes that young lives are tragically lost each summer at events, due to the unknown risks of illicit drugs.

“The evidence is overwhelming — pill testing and drug checking saves lives,” she says.

“Importantly, these services also provide a chance for health professionals to offer tailored support and information on illicit drug use and harm.”

The PSA supports further expansion of drug testing services, advocating for more trials and research to strengthen the evidence base for these life-saving interventions.

As summer music festivals ramp up, the PSA’s call underscores the role of pill testing as both a harm reduction tool and a platform for meaningful health engagement.

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RSV remains a leading cause of childhood hospitalisation, with around 12,000 infants admitted to hospitals with severe RSV every winter. Maternal immunisation significantly reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in children in their first six months.

As a vaccine listed on the NIP, funding of the administration of the vaccine by community pharmacists will be covered under the NIP Vaccination in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program in participating community pharmacies.

However, due to an outdated regulatory approach, many states will need to amend their regulations to permit pharmacists to immunise this cohort against RSV.

National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS welcomed the addition of RSV vaccines to the NIP, urging governments to update regulations now to permit pharmacist immunisers to administer as soon as vaccines are available.

“PSA welcomes the inclusion of Abrysvo on the NIP as an important protection against hospitalisation or death of infants from severe RSV infection and also congratulate Minister Butler and the federal government for their leadership in limiting preventable disease in children,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“Now that the vaccine has been added to the NIP, we must ensure that pregnant people are able to access it, no matter where they live.

“We need to move to an approach where all immunisers, including pharmacists, can initiate and administer all vaccines, as recommended by the Unleashing the Potential of the Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review.

“I urge all states and territories to expand immunisation authorities to allow Australians to access all vaccines they are recommended from their local pharmacist, including Abrysvo,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

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