OUTGOING Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis, and his predecessors, Kos Sclavos and John Bronger, have voiced their support for Queensland Branch President, Trent Twomey, to assume the position.
The trio of Guild leaders issued a joint statement this morning endorsing Twomey, ahead of his expected ratification as National President at a sitting of the organisation's National Council later today.
Bronger, who led the Guild from 1994 until 2005, said Twomey "will make an excellent National President of the Guild".
"Trent is an excellent manager and has great knowledge across the sector.," he said.
"He's well balanced and also has a degree in economics which will no doubt help him as he manages the different businesses across the Guild.
"Trent understands community pharmacy really well and I don't know anyone more qualified than he is to take on this important role."
Sclavos, the Guild's National President from 2005 to 2013, described Twomey as an ideal candidate to lead the organisation in the future.
"Challenging times present opportunities and to take advantage of that, you need leadership with vision and a desire to improve the health of Australians, Trent is uniquely suited to provide that leadership and he is the right person to lead the Guild as we work towards realising the full scope of practice," Sclavos said.
"No one can advocate for pharmacy better than a pharmacist, and we are lucky in Trent's case he has both the passion the skills and the enthusiasm for this role."
Tambassis, who steps down after eight years in the role, thanked Twomey for his "support and wise counsel" during his term in office.
"We have worked together very closely on many issues facing the Guild and community pharmacy both in Australia and overseas," he said.
"No words could properly express the immense appreciation I have had working with Trent whilst always having our members and their patients as a priority.
"I have enjoyed every moment of working with Trent and his whole team even in the most difficult of situations."
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