PHARMACY Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis (pictured), will not contest the upcoming Victorian Branch Committee elections, opening the door for fresh faces.
Speaking to Pharmacy Daily, Tambassis said he had decided to step aside at the end of his current term in Feb 2021, after seven years as National President and 15 years as a Guild representative.
"I've had the privilege and honour to run the Guild at the national level for three terms," he said.
"We were successful in signing the [Seventh Community Pharmacy] Agreement (7CPA) back in Jun, so after that I weighed it all up and said it's now time to step aside from the role.
"I see it as an honour and a privilege to sign the two Agreements that I signed...we broke a lot of ground with the 6CPA, with the Administration Handling Infrastructure (AHI) fee, we stopped that downward spiral of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) remuneration - that was a lot of work we did five years ago.
"I had a few options, I could stay on the branch committee for example, renominate, but that would make a big difference for a younger person that wanted to start at the Guild, because I would've blocked that person, or triggered another election."
Tambassis told Pharmacy Daily that a lot of work remains to be done in the run-up to the end of his presidency in Feb 2021, noting that once he steps away from the role he intends to put the years of advocacy into practice.
He thanked his business partners for giving him the freedom to lead the Guild.
With the Guild branch elections currently underway, the Victorian Branch has confirmed nine of its 12 electoral districts are not being contested, with Melbourne pharmacists, Megan Kazantzis, confirmed as Tambassis's successor in District Four, while Brendan Green will represent District 12, replacing George Brooks.
Districts Two, Three and 11 are being contested, with current Branch President, Anthony Tassone, retaining his seat in District Five.
Kazantzis told Pharmacy Daily that she was looking forward to be appointed, saying, "it's a passion of mine to get more women into ownership and into leadership positions".
"I hope I am able to inspire other women to get more involved," she said.
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