ADVANCED Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the major achievements that have helped to advance the profession for pharmacists and technicians.
Among the highlights were key reforms through advocacy, such as extending the Closing the Gap PBS Co-payment Program to public hospitals and advancing pharmacist prescribing reforms across Qld, WA and NSW.
It also had 15 members appointed to influential national committees shaping digital health, clinical governance and health system reform.
Another achievement was AdPha's third annual MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week (PD 10 Mar), which attracted global backing from 16 health organisations to promote safe and sustainable medicine use.
AdPha President Associate Professor Tom Simpson said the organisation's first full year trading as Advanced Pharmacy Australia has been defined by progress, inclusion and "getting on with the job".
"Through our Yindyamarra 2030 vision for the future of advanced pharmacy, we're proud to be building a future where pharmacists and technicians grow and succeed together - freeing capacity, supporting sustainability, and strengthening access to safe and effective medicines," Associate Professor Simpson said.
"Inclusion has always been at the heart of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia and, as AdPha, we are opening a new era of possibility and potential through the launch of the Australasian Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacy Technicians in Hospitals and Health Services, which will benefit pharmacists and technicians alike."
Assoc Prof Simpson promised that while celebrating a "fantastic 2025", there is more to come, "with announcements on workforce, publications and research to be highlights of a huge Medicines Management 2025 (MM2025) in Melbourne in two weeks' time".
"We're proud to stand up for our members and be a positive force for change in Australian pharmacy, as hospital-informed expertise helps drive safety, innovation, and better patient outcomes," he concluded.
The peak body, which represents more than 5,800 pharmacists and technicians, celebrated a record 452 members listed on the 2025 AdPha Honour Roll for their leadership and contributions.
AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels said the size and depth of the honour roll "reflects enthusiasm across the membership".
"Across our growing programs and initiatives, I thank each and every member for their engagement, participation and leadership, making the results of this year possible," Michael said.
Meanwhile, at the annual meeting last week, Dr Kate O'Hara stepped down as AdPha Vice President, with Brenda Shum subsequently elected to the role.
Assoc Prof Simpson was re-elected as AdPha President and Ramy Aziz re-elected AdPha Treasurer, with Kristin Michaels continuing as Chief Executive, completing the leadership team for 2026. KB
Read the annual report HERE.
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