KERRY Savas (pictured), Principal Pharmacist at National Pharmacies Glenelg, has received the 2025 World Pharmacist Day Excellence Award for his "outstanding frontline work" in the vaccination space.
The awards were newly introduced by the South Australian Office of the Chief Pharmacist with the aim of celebrating the vital role of pharmacists in patient care, community health and the broader SA health system following the rollout of expanded pharmacy services such as urinary tract infection (UTI) consultations and travel vaccinations.
Savas has provided more than 1,500 vaccines in the last 12 months while also proactively ensuring patients are up to date with all required vaccinations.
He also led a successful travel vaccine service pilot for National Pharmacies earlier this year, which has now expanded into stores in SA and Victoria.
Savas said he was honoured to receive the award.
"Pharmacists do far more than dispense medicine - in community pharmacy, we prioritise the health of every patient and the wider community," he explained.
In congratulating Savas, National Pharmacies CEO Mark Smith said, "Our pharmacists, like Mr Savas, are community health experts who use an evidence-based approach which not only boosts individual and community health and wellbeing, but also helps ease pressure on busy GPs and hospitals."
Smith also thanked the State Government for its continuing expansion of pharmacists' scope of practice, which has made services like travel vaccination more accessible, convenient and efficient for more South Australians.
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