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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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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“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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