ON THE wish list for pharmacy in 2025 are national harmonisation of pharmacist services, more collaboration with non-pharmacy stakeholders and a greater emphasis on multidisciplinary care.
Pharmacy Daily asked members of the pharmacy community to share their hopes and expectations for the year head.
Nick Munro, Executive General Manager at TerryWhite Chemmart, said harmonising pharmacist services across states and territories is essential to ensuring all Australians have access to equitable healthcare, regardless of where they live.
"Another area of opportunity is strengthening collaboration between community pharmacy, GPs, and allied health professionals.
"As an industry, we have an incredible chance to deepen these relationships, foster partnerships with peak bodies, and collectively address the challenges in our healthcare system to deliver better outcomes for patients," Munro said.
National Rural Health Alliance CEO Susi Tegen agreed, saying there is a real need for a continuous relationship and multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of rural patients in particular, who are already challenged health-wise, but also have to deal with the impact of drought, floods, fires and storms.
"Scope of practice legislation needs to be the same across all states and territories and support the population and situation", Tegen added.
Pharmacy career opportunities look set for further growth in 2025, says Heidi Dariz, General Manager of Raven's Recruitment, with strong demand across community, hospital and aged care settings.
"Workforce shortages, an ageing population and expanded pharmacist roles - including vaccinations and prescribing - are driving competition for skilled pharmacists," Dariz said.
"Employers are seeking professionals with advanced clinical expertise, strong communication skills and the ability to adapt to evolving technologies.
"Locum work is also surging in popularity, offering pharmacists flexibility, higher pay and diverse experience," Dariz added.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim, said that 2024 was a year where the pharmacy profession as a whole had greater connection than ever before with the Department of Health and Aged Care, the primary healthcare networks, and other external stakeholders as well.
"I think moving into next year, I would like to see our profession being more united, as opposed to disconnected," A/Prof Sim said.
With the federal election in the first half of the year, Sim says it is important to have bilateral support for the pharmacy profession and its work.
"The work that we do as healthcare professionals doesn't stop and it doesn't change - that recognition needs to continue, and the work needs to continue." KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 30 Jan 25
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