SIX pharmacy graduates from Charles Darwin University (CDU) have become the first in Australia to be awarded the title of Doctor of Pharmacy.
Accreditation changes announced by the Federal Government late last year, and taking effect 01 Jan this year, recognise extended Master's programs under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9, with students now able to use the title Doctor of Pharmacy.
CDU's Associate Professor Pharmacy (Faculty of Health), Heather Volk, said the title recognises the level and length of training required to provide the full range of medication management services - including prescribing - with students completing additional clinical and research studies as part of their learning.
"The introduction of the Doctor of Pharmacy award is an exciting time for the profession," Associate Professor Volk said.
The program is required to meet the rigorous national standards set by pharmacy boards and is administered through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Associate Professor Volk explained.
"We also work closely with the profession as our students undertake weekly work integrated learning in a variety of healthcare settings," she added.
"Providing greater access to education in rural and remote areas is a priority of CDU, and the support of the profession allows us to deliver our course online - allowing people to obtain the qualification regardless of where they live."
One of the six Doctor of Pharmacy graduates, 26-year-old Mahsa Mosalla (pictured), said she believes the use of the title Doctor will create more career opportunities as well as open more doors to specialise within the profession.
"Back home in Iran, pharmacists are very highly respected and in the same tier as medical doctors," Mosalla said.
"In Australia, however, there's a perception that pharmacists just stick labels on bottles and that's it.
"But it's a much more skilled profession - we're the second checkpoint for medical doctors and are an important part of that circle of patient care.
"We already do vaccinations, and hopefully there will be opportunities to prescribe and provide increased clinical services in the future," Mosalla concluded. KB
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