Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacists’ service recognised

THREE pharmacists and the author of the 2015 Harper Review, which called for the removal of pharmacy location and ownership rules, have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Life member of both the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Bill Scott (pictured), was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division, "for significant service to the pharmacy profession at the State and National level".

PSA Fellow and Pharmacy 777 partner, Michael Dillon, was also made a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division, "for significant service to the pharmacy profession and to the community".

Meanwhile former Pharmacy Board of Victoria President, Melvyn Blachford, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia "for service to the pharmacy profession and to jazz music".

Guild National President, George Tambassis, noted Scott had been a significant and respected figure within the profession, serving on the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation panel and as Chair of Fred IT Group.

"It is great to see such an outstanding community pharmacist and gentleman recognised after so many years of service to patients, to the Guild, and to the wider health system," he said.

Congratulating the three pharmacists honoured yesterday, PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, said it was great to see the work of pharmacists being recognised, particularly after the profession's efforts during the COVID-19 and bushfire crises.

"I sincerely congratulate all of the Queen's Birthday Honours recipients and thank them for their ongoing service to the pharmacy profession and their local communities," he said.

"It is pleasing to see both Bill, a PSA Life Member and Michael, a PSA Fellow recognised for their dedication and commitment to the pharmacy profession and the health of their communities.

"Melvyn is a former Victorian state facilitator for the Home Medicines Review Program and a former president of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria.

"Not only has Melvyn been recognised for his devoted years of service to pharmacy but also for his passion as a volunteer for the Australian Jazz Museum as collections manager."

Meanwhile, Professor Ian Harper, who has been an outspoken critic of the pharmacy location rules, was named as an Officer in the General Division for his "distinguished service to education in the field of economics, and to public and monetary policy development and reform".