Pharmacists Professor Andrew McLachlan FPS and Ms Lorraine Koller were applauded by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today for receiving Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Prof McLachlan and Ms Koller are both based in NSW and were honoured for their outstanding service to pharmacy.

Prof McLachlan became a Member (AM) in the General Division for service to pharmacy as a researcher, educator and administrator, and to professional medical and scientific organisations.

He is the Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney and was recognised by PSA as the Pharmacist of the Year in 2006.

He has held editorial positions with several international and Australian journals including Australian Pharmacist and the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF).

Ms Koller received an Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the pharmacy profession.

She is currently the Deputy Director, Pharmacy at Westmead Hospital and serves on a number of committees dedicated to health and Quality Use of Medicines.

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said the pharmacists richly deserved this recognition for their distinguished careers and many years of hard work providing excellence in healthcare.

“I sincerely congratulate Prof McLachlan and Ms Koller for their outstanding dedication to the profession and to the health of their local communities,” Dr Jackson said.

For a full list of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, click here.

An extra 70,000 Australians each week will now be empowered to better manage their prescription medicines through the Government’s expansion of the Dose Administration Aids (DAA) program in community pharmacies.

Today’s announcement by Minister for Health Greg Hunt to expand the successful DAA program from 1 July 2018 to allow pharmacists to provide an additional 3.8 million DAA services each year is welcomed by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson welcomed the increased availability of DAA services able to be provided within community pharmacies.

“Lifting the amount of funding, and supporting services that can be provided by pharmacists such as DAAs will have a significant impact on improving medication adherence, and improve health outcomes for patients who take multiple medicines,” Dr Jackson said.

“There is no doubt that many services provided by pharmacists can improve medicines management, and we look forward to a similar expansion of other existing programs such as Home Medicines Review, Medscheck and other Community Pharmacy Agreement programs in the future.”

Background:

The 2017—18 Federal Budget allocated $825 million over three years for community pharmacies to support and improve Australians’ access to medicines, including $340 million for the DAA program.

PSA supports pharmacists to implement the DAA program with the Guidelines for pharmacists providing dose administration aid services, along with an online learning module and quick reference tool at the 6CPA Resource Hub.

PSA gratefully acknowledges the Australian Government Department of Health for providing funding for these resources as part of the PBS Access and Sustainability Package including the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

The appointments of pharmacist Steve Morris as CEO of NPS MedicineWise and Elizabeth de Somer as CEO of Medicines Australia have been welcomed by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson congratulated Mr Morris and Ms de Somer on their appointments.

“Mr Morris is well placed to advance NPS MedicineWise’s work to empower people to make the best possible healthcare decisions,” Dr Jackson said.

“As a pharmacist with extensive experience, including as Chief Pharmacist for South Australia and Executive Director of SA Pharmacy, Mr Morris has in-depth knowledge of Quality Use of Medicines and health technologies.

“Pharmacists are highly qualified medicines experts and Mr Morris’s appointment confirms the importance of pharmacist involvement wherever medicines are used.

“PSA looks forward to working with Mr Morris and NPS MedicineWise to support Quality Use of Medicines for all Australians.”

Dr Jackson said Elizabeth de Somer is a widely respected expert in medicines policy who has advocated tirelessly for the pharmaceutical sector.

“PSA has a strong relationship with Medicines Australia and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to support the availability of innovative medicines, which will lead to better health outcomes across Australia.

“Medicines Australia’s important work is closely aligned with pharmacists’ essential role in providing patients with fast and affordable access to world-class medicines and vaccines.”