FEDERAL Health Minister, Mark Butler, will officially launch the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA) vision for the future of pharmacy at the PSA24 National Conference this week.
Known as Pharmacists in 2030, the framework is the result of extensive consultations with pharmacists, consumers, and other health stakeholders.
It outlines the anticipated evolution of pharmacists' roles and the care they provide over the next six years, from both pharmacists' and patients' perspectives.
PSA National President, A/Prof Fei Sim (pictured), reflected on the journey since the release of Pharmacists in 2023 in 2019.
"That was the first time a clear vision and framework were developed to unlock pharmacists' full potential in supporting Australians' health and wellbeing," Sim said.
"Together with the profession, we have achieved much of this vision, but there is still a long way to go," she commented.
A/Prof Sim, who has just been re-elected for a third term (PD 30 Jul), emphasised the importance of the new phase, which aims to solidify pharmacists' core role in medicines expertise and highlight their capacity to enhance patient care.
"The growing expectations of our patients came through very strongly in our consumer consultation," said Sim.
"Consumers have a very high level of trust in pharmacists, and they want us to do more."
As the health needs of Australians become more complex, the role of pharmacists must expand accordingly, Sim added.
"Pharmacists in 2030 serves as a roadmap to guide the profession's growth and development to 2030, and beyond," she concluded. JG
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