THE PSA23 conference was headlined by the Federal Health Minster Mark Butler who shared in his speech, "there have been strong arguments put to the Government around bringing forward the negotiations for the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA)".
"We're exploring that very closely and will have more to say on that soon," he said to a packed room of attendees.
"Whenever it starts, I look forward to the PSA's involvement in the development of the 8CPA, as the steward of professional standards."
Butler explained, "we want the pressures in our health system, the growth opportunities and the Scope of Practice Review to inform the 8CPA".
"The next CPA should be about more than dispensing revenue for pharmacy owners and must be about the professional standards, development, the integration of pharmacy as a sector in primary care and the role of pharmacists in supporting patients."
Further, the PSA recognised its top talent in Samantha Montgomery from the Queensland University of Technology, who was the recipient of the 2023 PSA Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) award.
The annual PSOTY awards recognise and celebrate outstanding pharmacy students by showcasing their counselling skills to the pharmacy profession and is a highlight of PSA's annual flagship conference.
Ingrid Stroud from the University of Canberra was recognised too for taking out the People's Choice award at the PSOTY awards.
The PSA also announced the 2023 Intern Pharmacist of the Year and Locum Pharmacist of the Year, which were awarded at a plenary session (PD Breaking News Sat).
William Chan is the 2023 PSA Locumate Locum Pharmacist of the Year, and Grace Quach has been awarded the 2023 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year (pictured centre with MIMS CEO Robert Best right).
"William has brought his expertise and infectious smile to pharmacies around Australia, making sure that communities have access to pharmacist advice when they need it," said National President Fei Sim (pictured left).
"The work of a locum pharmacist often goes unnoticed.
"William, like many locum pharmacists, takes the challenges of a new pharmacy in his stride.
"During her internship, Grace Quach was already leading a range of initiatives in her pharmacy, from developing brochures for patients to supporting other students and interns to develop their practice," Sim added.
The PDL Alan Russell Oration session 'was a hit', with delegates giving a standing ovation to world para surfing champion Sam Bloom for her story of survival.
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