PHARMACY students from New Zealand have been gaining frontline experience in regional NSW and the ACT through a new initiative aimed at encouraging the next generation of pharmacists to live and work in regional Australia.
The Life Pharmacy Group (LPG) placement program, now in its second year, offers Bachelor of Pharmacy students from the University of Otago a practical understanding of working in an Australian community pharmacy.
This year, students Kalani MacDonald, Lydia Swaney, and Joshua Hou have been working alongside pharmacists at Life Pharmacy Forbes, Flannery's Pharmacy, and Parkes Pharmacy, providing essential healthcare services to local communities.
"Studying in New Zealand, everyone always looks to Australia thinking the grass is greener there in terms of pharmacy practice, but no one really knows what it's like," Kalani MacDonald, President of the New Zealand Association of Pharmacy Students, told Pharmacy Daily.
"I heard about this program and wanted to see it for myself, and it's been more than what I expected."
During their stay, the students travelled to Cobar to assist with COVID-19 and influenza immunisations at a residential aged care facility.
They also spent time at the specialised Men's Health Downunder clinic in Canberra.
"The biggest surprise for me was the whole healthcare system - we didn't realise how different it was," MacDonald remarked.
"The program encourages students to broaden their perspectives on pharmacy.
"It forces you to think beyond just being a pharmacist," he added.
"What other services can you provide, and how do you make it happen? remarked MacDonald.
"That's what's great about LPG - they have ideas, they make them happen, and it's huge."
The rotation aims to attract fourth-year students to join LPG for their intern year, ultimately increasing the number of newly-qualified pharmacists eager to work and live in rural NSW and the ACT.
Christopher Young, Pharmacist in Charge of Lanyon Pharmacy, highlighted the importance of community pharmacy.
"There is a real push for community pharmacy, and I think a misconception as well.
"It's harder than ever to encourage students to study and work locally," Young said.
"We are very service-based, focusing on customer interaction and patient management.
"The students have been blown away by how strong our patient rapport is," Young remarked.
"We are making a difference in the community, to the lives of people we know and care about.
"We just need to show that to the wider population." JG
Pictured: Students Joshua Hou, Kalani MacDonald and Lydia Swaney with LPG's Jack Buckley visiting Cobar in far west of NSW.
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