AUSTRALIA'S accredited pharmacist workforce needs to grow significantly to meet the needs of the aged care system, incoming Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP) Chair, Dr Shane Jackson, believes.
Jackson, who was named as one of two Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National Vice Presidents, last week (PD 17 Jun), will assume the AACP Chair on 01 Jul, for the second time, succeeding former Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis.
Speaking with Pharmacy Daily, Jackson noted that the AACP Chair rotates between the PSA and the Guild on an annual basis.
"The PSA Board was comfortable for me to step into the role," he said.
With plans to cut reaccreditation fees from 01 Jul (PD 06 Jun), Jackson said Commonwealth Government plans to embed pharmacists into the aged care system will require a significant increase in the numbers of pharmacists holding accreditation.
"We'll need around 1,200 full-time equivalent pharmacists in the aged care sector," he said.
"That's five to six times what we currently have."
He added that AACP's accreditation procession "will remain unchanged", noting an independent review had found it was "robust and fit for purpose".
Jackson noted that during the AACP's ConPharm conference in Adelaide at the weekend delegates has show strong interest in pharmacists being embedded in aged care facilities.
"Around 40% of attendees said they would consider being involved in an on-site position from 01 Jan 2023," he said.
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