‘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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As part of its 2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission, AdPha has proposed:

• A dedicated Medicine Shortages and Discontinuation Clinical Advice Service.
• Bilateral Pharmaceutical Reform Agreements (PRAs) with NSW and ACT for equitable medicine access.
• A Partnered Pharmacist Medication Prescribing (PPMP) collaborative care model pilot in aged care and general practice.

The submission includes 9 recommendations focused on scope of practice, workforce sustainability and medicine access.

It presents a cost-effective strategy to enhance Australia’s healthcare system.

AdPha is urging the government to remove barriers to full scope of practice and expand the PPMP model, which has already proven successful in hospitals.

The proposed expansion would integrate pharmacist prescribing into aged care and general practice settings, while also allowing pharmacists to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) within collaborative care models.

‘Pharmacist prescribing a natural extension of collaborative care’

AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says these initiatives would improve patient outcomes, optimise the skills of the primary care workforce and reduce costs.

“PPMP improves timelines, safety and quality of medicines management for patients, while at the same time supporting capacity for doctors and nurses,” he says.

“Pharmacist prescribing is a natural extension of collaborative care models further facilitating safe and timely access to subsidised medicines.

“AdPha has long championed PPMP as a proven model that reduces medication errors and patient length of stay.

“As it expands beyond hospital walls, its positive impact will only continue to grow.

“This recommendation is the essence of advanced pharmacy — taking the evidence-based approach of hospital pharmacy into all areas where medicines are needed to improve the health outcomes of patients everywhere.”

Harnessing underutilised skills of pharmacy technicians

AdPha is also calling for funding to harness the underutilised skills of pharmacy technicians as one of several recommendations to build a stronger and more sustainable pharmacy workforce.

“AdPha urges a growth environment for technicians who are integral to interdisciplinary care teams,” says Mr Simpson.

“We have recently developed the first Australasian Competency Standards Framework for Technicians working in hospitals and health systems, in order to provide a standardised approach for these crucial health professionals.

“As part of our submission, we are calling on the government to fund technician sector-specific training and resources to ensure this vital area of our workforce is recognised and supported to practice to their full scope, consistently, appropriately and safely.”

‘Nationally-consistent approach to the PBS long overdue’

With medicines access and shortages ongoing areas of concern, AdPha is also calling on the government to establish agreements with NSW and the ACT to achieve timely and equitable access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

AdPha is also calling for a Medicine Shortages and Discontinuations Clinical Advice Service to equip healthcare practitioners with real-time updates, expert guidance, and evidence-based solutions.

Mr Simpson says a nationally-consistent approach to the PBS is long overdue while a medicines shortages service will help reduce unnecessary strain placed on already overstretched emergency services and hospital resources.

“For years now, AdPha has been advocating that the Commonwealth extends the same access to the PBS to patients of hospitals in NSW and the ACT as patients in every other Australian jurisdiction,” he says.

“Prioritising this initiative will help safeguard the quality of healthcare delivery, reduce distress for both patients and practitioners, and create a more equitable and efficient healthcare system for all Australians.”

For more information, visit: AdPha 2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission.

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The Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) competition showcases the top pharmacy students in Australia, celebrating their exceptional skills, knowledge, and dedication to the pharmacy profession. The Wildcard category provides students who did not win their local competition another opportunity to compete and demonstrate their capabilities on a national stage at PSA25 in August.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated Brielle Geard on their outstanding achievement.

“The PSOTY competition is a valuable platform for pharmacy students to showcase their clinical knowledge, communication skills, and professionalism. Brielle has demonstrated excellence in all these areas, and this award highlights their potential as a future leader in the pharmacy profession,” Associate Professor Sim said.

The Wildcard competition involved a rigorous assessment process, with participants judged on their ability to solve complex clinical scenarios while effectively communicating with patients and healthcare teams. Brielle stood out for their exceptional communication skills and knowledge.

Ms Geard will now progress to the final round of the PSOTY competition, to be held at PSA25 in Sydney, where they will compete against other state and territory winners for the coveted Pharmacy Student of the Year title.

PSA acknowledges and thanks the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) for its ongoing support in the Pharmacy Student of the Year competition, which nurtures and inspires the next generation of pharmacists.

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‘Big-picture thinking and bringing ideas to life’

Ms Kelly (pictured), previously General Manager of Marketing, will now oversee both the buying and marketing functions in her expanded role.

With 20 years’ experience in marketing across retail, travel and healthcare, she has held national roles with companies including Harris Scarfe, Bunnik Tours and Sportsmed.

Specialising in multi-channel marketing, brand management and digital strategy, Ms Kelly brings a wealth of expertise to the position.

She has said she enjoys the challenge of “big-picture thinking and bringing ideas to life”.

Committed to excellence 

Mr Carpenter steps into the role of General Manager of Operations, Pharmacy & Retail.

With 15 years’ experience in executive operations roles, Mr Carpenter brings a strong background in leadership, having previously worked in the banking industry.

Notably, Mr Carpenter has also represented England and Australia in water polo as part of the Olympics Squad, reflecting his commitment to excellence both in and out of the workplace.

Ms Kelly and Mr Carpenter have both expressed their enthusiasm for their new roles and their ongoing commitment to supporting Star Pharmacy Group’s national network.

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The announcement coincides with Locumate’s expansion into the United States through a joint venture with the Indian Pharmacy Association in California.

Access to an on-demand workforce platform

Sigma Healthcare aims to provide its members with access to Locumate’s on-demand workforce platform.

Renee Watson, Sigma’s Head of Retail Operations, says the platform’s functionality aligns well with the needs of their member pharmacies.

“What impressed us about Locumate’s software was that it was an aggregator of the workforce within pharmacy, providing our members the agility they need to manage their on-demand workforce requirements,” she said.

A ‘streamlined process of managing locum placements’

Locumate’s growing client base in Australia includes Douglas Chemist Group, Prime Pharmacy and Allied Health Locums.

Mandy Ritchie, HR Manager at Douglas Chemist Group, praised Locumate’s subscription service for its ability to deliver significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.

“Locumate has truly streamlined the process of managing locum placements. From finding the right candidates to ensuring seamless communication and scheduling, the platform takes the hassle out of what can be a stressful process,” she said.

“What stands out most is the unreal quality of locums on the platform. Every professional we’ve engaged through Locumate has been highly skilled, reliable, and the perfect fit for our pharmacy teams.”

International ventures

In the US, Locumate is making strides through HealthShifts, a joint venture between the American Pharmacists Association and the California Pharmacists Association.

The partnership, which includes the Indian Pharmacy Association’s network of 150 pharmacy owners in California, will go live this month.

HealthShifts will provide exposure to 88,000 pharmacies, tapping into the growing global on-demand workforce market, projected to reach USD $93 billion by 2029.

Catering to niche professional services

Surge Singh, CEO and Founder of Locumate, highlights the platform’s ability to cater to niche professional service sectors such as pharmacy and allied health.

“Our platform doesn’t aim to compete with the popular job seeker sites. We cater for niche professional service organisations such as pharmacies and allied health services, all of which have jobs boards that need to be interactive, quick and simple to use.

“Professionals are strapped for time and are looking for the right talent with the right data insights,” he said.

A smarter, more efficient way to source talent

The company has recently expanded its offerings beyond pharmacy to allied health, including a new app for podiatry and physiotherapy locum placements.

Locumate has also launched an AI-enabled interactive jobs board this month, designed to create a smarter, more efficient way for organisations to source talent.

“At Locumate the team goes above and beyond to provide assistance whenever needed, ensuring the service meets the customers’ unique needs,” Mr Singh said.

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Commencing from 2025, these developments are a part of DHL’s $150m investment in robotics and automation in the region announced in 2022 by global Chief Executive Officer, Oscar de Bok.

DHL has signed an agreement with technology supplier Dematic and is investing $28 million upgrading its Horsley Park (New South Wales) Life Sciences and Healthcare site. From 2027, the site will feature the latest generation automated picking system combined with an additional 1,350m2 cool room, storing products for up to 30 customers at temperatures between two to eight degrees Celsius.

In New Zealand, DHL is supporting the growth of the industry with a $10m investment in automating the country’s most advanced life sciences and healthcare site. Located close to Auckland Airport, the new site features DHL’s first New-Zealand based goods to person (GTP) automation system – running 41 Geek+ robots – to deliver efficient and accurate goods distribution for up to 20 DHL customers.

The recently opened 14,100 sqm site manages the demands of the life sciences and healthcare industry with 11,000 temperature-controlled pallet spaces and other measures to manage cold chain, security and packaging requirements.

DHL has invested a further $8.5 million on a Hai Robotics at its Skyline site in Horningsea Park, New South Wales. From Q4 2025, this site will run 12 bots and five goods-to-person (GTP) pick stations, managing over 14,500 totes through six packing stations. This system will give the site capacity for over 20 customers.

These sites combine with DHL’s life sciences and healthcare site in Erskine Park, New South Wales, which is currently running Locus autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to give a floor space of 4,125m²
DHL Supply Chain ANZ CEO, Steve Thompsett, said these automation rollouts are leading to a new era in life sciences and healthcare contract logistics in the region.

Each site’s systems have also been designed to pair with DHL’s custom reusable Cool Green Cell packaging products, which have been successfully deployed to our customers focused on compliance, re-usability, efficiencies in packing and reduction in transportation costs for our customers. These solutions are designed for spoil-free goods transport ranging from two to eight degrees Celsius, 15 to 25 and minus 20 degrees Celsius, enabling a wide range of choices for our customers.

While the sites use different technology providers and approaches to automated stock management, all systems improve safety, reduce foot traffic in warehouses and allow staff to work in more meaningful, higher-skilled roles.

“Our global CEO committed to a significant investment in warehouse automation in 2022 because it allows us to better serve our customers while giving more opportunities for staff,” Thompsett said.

“Our life sciences and healthcare customers and their customers who depend on the safe delivery of their products, which may require very specific temperature conditions, will reap benefits from the development of these sites for many years to come.

“We always look for the best automation solutions and partners to meet DHL’s and our customers’ needs, and we appreciate the input of all our project partners involved in these builds.

“Our Global Strategy 2030, which aims to accelerate sustainable growth, has a strong focus on addressing the shifts in the pharma market and these sites will help us to deliver for our customers.”

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Running from 20-25 March, with the pre-conference workshops on 19 March, APP2025 is set to inspire and empower attendees under the theme, Unlocking Your Opportunities.

APP2025 will showcase the evolving landscape of community pharmacy while equipping delegates with the tools to embrace innovation and turn ideas into action.

“APP2025 offers something for everyone — whether you’re looking to earn CPD credits, gain insights on innovation or connect with peers. It’s a must-attend event for anyone in the pharmacy industry,” conference convenor Kos Sclavos AM, said.

Program highlights 

The conference officially begins with the Opening Plenary, a session reflecting on the year’s achievements and outlining The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s strategic vision for the year ahead.

Delegates will also witness the celebration of excellence with awards, including Pharmacy of the Year and Intern of the Year.

Other program highlights include:

• Alan Russell Oration: Georgina Twomey, CEO of the Alive Pharmacy Group, will discuss the implementation of Full Scope of Practice.
• State of the Industry Panel: Industry leaders will provide insights into current challenges and emerging opportunities in community pharmacy.
• Keynote Speakers: Jelena Dokic will share her inspiring journey of resilience. Dr Ben Bravery, The Patient Doctor, will discuss the importance of patient advocacy.

Workshops and networking 

The APP2025 experience begins on Wednesday 19 March with the pre-conference workshops that will cover topics such as:

• Expanding scope of practice.
• Embracing change and innovation.
• Best practices in immunisation.

These workshops offer CPD credits and practical takeaways for pharmacy professionals.

Networking opportunities will include:

• Thursday’s Welcome Reception.
• The Women’s Networking Lunch and Pharmacy Assistants Networking Lunch.
• The post-APP ‘Country Hoedown’ Street Party.

“These events provide the perfect opportunity to connect, share ideas and celebrate the profession,” Mr Sclavos said.

Early bird pricing 

Register for APP2025 early to take advantages of the early bird pricing, saving 10% on full conference registration before 31 January 2025.

“March still seems a long way off,” Mr Sclavos said, “but the sooner you book the more you’ll save on registration and travel.

“We wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on this fantastic event!”

For more information, visit: appconference.com.

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Delegates have the chance to win $5000 in gift cards thanks to the exclusive APP $5K Giveaway, which is proudly sponsored by The Beauty Collective.

The competition is open to all registered pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmacy assistants, retail managers, dispensary technicians, and pharmacy interns.

Entry is simple: Just sign up any time between now and 22 March 2025, and you’re in the draw!

But wait, there’s more!

Want an extra shot at the prize?

Attend APP2025, running from 20-22 March 2025 on the Gold Coast, and scan the QR code in the APP Fun Zone within the Trade Exhibition for a bonus entry!

Kos Sclavos AM, APP2025 conference convenor, says the giveaway is just one of many reasons to attend.

“APP2025 is not just the largest pharmacy conference in the Southern Hemisphere — it’s also a celebration of our industry,” he said.

“This giveaway is just one way we’re adding fun and excitement for delegates while delivering incredible value.”

Packed with workshops, keynote sessions, and networking events, APP2025 offers something for every pharmacy professional.

Highlights include motivation keynote address from Jelena Dokic and Ben Bravery, international insights from guest speakers, and the ever-popular APP Street Party, which in 2025 is set to feature a Country Hoedown theme.

With more than 450 stands, the Trade Exhibition will showcase cutting-edge pharmacy innovations, offering delegates a firsthand look at new trends and products shaping the industry.

“With an action-packed program of workshops, keynote speakers, and the vibrant Trade Exhibition, there’s no better place for pharmacy professionals to connect, learn, and grow [than APP2025],” Mr Scalvos said.

Don’t miss out on the pharmacy event of the year — or your chance to win big!

Enter the APP $5K Giveaway today: Enter here.

For more information about APP2025 and to secure your spot, visit: appconference.com.

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An accomplished and awarded journalist with more than 30 years’ experience, Melissa is one of the best-known and trusted voices and faces in Australian media. Melissa will take to the stage across the conference weekend, also returning to host the member-favourite ‘Carnivale’ Gala Dinner on the evening of 2 August 2025.

The emcee announcement comes as super early bird registrations open for the 2025 conference, saving members up to 40% on full conference registration.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS shared the announcement, expressing her excitement to have Ms Doyle join the PSA25 team.

“PSA is thrilled to welcome Mel back to our national conference for another year, harnessing her decades of experience as a journalist to give delegates the conference experience of a lifetime,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“Mel brings an infectious energy and unmatched professionalism to the conference, getting to the heart of what we do and why we do it, both as pharmacists and as the peak body representing our beloved pharmacy profession. I can’t wait to have her join us again at PSA25.”

PSA25 is the premier pharmacy education conference, with more than 1000 attendees from across Australia. The three-day conference will run from 1-3 August 2025, at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.

 Super early bird registrations are open now at www.psa25.com.au

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Having 15 years’ experience with the consumer health company in a variety of leadership roles across sales, strategy and marketing in regions including North Asia, Singapore and India, Mr Iyer has a proven track record in delivering significant results, growth and development.

In his most recent role as Marketing Director for North Asia, Mr Iyer successfully led the team through a robust business turnaround, delivering strong financial results while also driving talent growth and development.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role with Haleon Australia and New Zealand leading the marketing of many trusted household brands such as Panadol, Voltaren, Advil, Sensodyne, Centrum and Polident to name but a few,” Mr Iyer said.

“With a strong focus on innovation and people development, I am committed to building on Haleon’s success and delivering sustainable growth for our brands and customers in this exciting region.”

Congratulating Mr Iyer on his appointment, Anish Patel, General Manager, Haleon Australia and New Zealand added that his “global perspective and wealth of experience will be instrumental” to the company’s continued success.

“We know that Australian and New Zealand health consumers are some of the most sophisticated in the world,” Mr Patel said.

“Through our iconic brands, scale and talent, we have the potential to transform the self-care industry in this market and deliver more for consumers and our customers.”

Mr Iyer succeeds Cate Sefton, who has been Marketing Director for Haleon Australia and New Zealand for the past five years and has worked at Haleon for a total of 21 years across two tenures.

Haleon has expressed gratitude for Ms Sefton’s invaluable contributions and wished her success in her future endeavours as she pursues new opportunities.

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