NEWLY appointed Victorian Health Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, has received a warm welcome to her new role from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
The former Agriculture Minister was moved into the Health portfolio after the resignations of Deputy Premier and Education Minister, James Merlino, Health Minister, Martin Foley, Police Minister, Lisa Neville, and Tourism Minister, Martin Pakula, on Fri.
Guild Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, said the organisation would continue to pursue its efforts to gain authorisation for pharmacists to work to the top of their training.
"We look forward to working with Thomas and her office leading up to the Victorian State election to better utilise the scope of practice of pharmacists to help deliver better health outcomes for all Victorians," he said.
"The scope of vaccines that Victorian pharmacist immunisers can deliver must be expanded to better align with our training and competencies."
Tassone also acknowledged the contribution Foley had made over the course of his 21 month-tenure as Health Minister.
"The Guild also thanks and wishes the outgoing Victorian Health Minister, Martin Foley, the best of luck in his future endeavours," Tassone said.
"Together the Guild and the Victorian Government have helped provide fantastic health services to the public, including most recently the free flu vaccinations for all Victorians program."
Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, pointedly noted that Foley "is a really good guy", during a speech at the Guild NSW Branch's annual dinner in Sydney on Thu, just hours before the Victorian Minister resigned.
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