MELBOURNE-BASED pharmacist, and winner of the prestigious PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year award for 2024, Dr Amy Page, intends to use her win to raise the profession's profile.
Dr Page (pictured) was recognised for her extensive contributions to pharmacy practice, research, and education (PD 02 Aug).
Expressing her gratitude for the award, Dr Page told Pharmacy Daily, "I'm extraordinarily lucky to receive this recognition, and I hope to use this increased profile to continue advancing medicine safety and support others in our field".
Wearing many hats, Dr Page is the President of PSA's Victorian branch, a leading pharmacy researcher and a senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
Her work focuses on improving medicine safety and advancing pharmacy practice both nationally and internationally.
"I genuinely love what I do," Dr Page said.
"If it interests you, it's a lot more fun and doesn't feel like work."
In 2018, Dr Page played a pivotal role in progressing pharmacist prescribing in Australia by leading a project with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
The initiative resulted in a statement confirming pharmacists' ability to prescribe within existing regulations, paving the way for pilots in areas like urinary tract infections and oral contraception.
Reflecting on this achievement, she noted, "it's about recognising that prescribing and deprescribing are part of the same continuum, ensuring patients receive the best care possible".
As an academic, Dr Page is committed to nurturing the next generation of pharmacists at UWA.
"We're enrolling our first students next year in the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Medicines Management," she shared.
"It's about recognising all the work pharmacists do and providing them with qualifications that reflect their expertise."
Dr Page continues to practice clinically, working in both community pharmacy and conducting medication reviews.
She believes in collaboration within the profession, explaining, "the strongest way forward is supporting each other and helping grow together".
"No one person can advance pharmacy alone, but collectively we can lift it to new heights." JG
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