IN AN effort to push for Prac Payments, the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA) is dispatching letters to every Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives ahead of tomorrow's Federal Budget.
The peak body wants the government to financially support pharmacy and other allied health students during their mandatory placements (PD 07 May).
NAPSA, an organisation of 19 university associations spanning all states and territories, has seen its branches unite this week in a coordinated effort to urge local MPs to represent pharmacy students, and advocate for their interests within their party groups before the Budget's finalisation.
Speaking to Pharmacy Daily Sebastian Harper, the Board Director and Treasurer of NAPSA, expressed collective sentiment, said, "on Tue, we will be disappointed if the government hasn't listened to the widespread call for extending the Commonwealth Prac Payment".
"This is a concern echoed not only by our members, but by other leading organisations in the pharmacy sector," said Harper.
"There are thousands of pharmacy students in Australia, and thousands more from the allied health degrees that we are also supporting for inclusion in the Commonwealth Prac Payment, as placements cost a lot in unpaid leave, travel, accommodation and living costs."
Harper further emphasised the association's unwavering commitment to advocacy.
"NAPSA, both nationally and at the local level, will continue to advocate for change if the Budget fails to alleviate the financial strain on pharmacy students and many of our peers in allied health," he said. JG
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 13 May 24
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 13 May 24
