TASMANIA celebrated four of its top pharmacists at the State's Pharmacist of the Year Awards.
The event held as part of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's Tasmanian Pharmacy Conference last weekend, and co-hosted with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA), saw hospital pharmacist, Duncan McKenzie, named as the Pharmacist of the Year for his efforts in preparing the State's hospital system for increased COVID-19 hospitalisations over the last 12 months.
SHPA Tasmanian Branch Chair, Michelle Paine, hailed McKenzie's work throughout the pandemic.
"In collaboration with the Emergency Control Centre, Duncan managed supplies of critical medication to ensure that the hospital system could care for those who were hospitalised with COVID-19," she said.
Community pharmacist, Rhys Jones, was named as the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, with PSA Tasmanian Branch President, Dr Ella Van Tienen, heralding him as a "quiet achiever".
"His commitment and passion for the profession has seen him take on a variety of leadership roles including Chair of the Tasmanian Pharmacy Authority (TPA), President of Arthritis Tasmania and Board Member of Arthritis Australia, to name a few," she said.
"Other roles Rhys has held over the years include being an intern examiner for TPA and AHPRA, examiner for Australian Pharmacy Examining Council and a Competency Committee Member for TPA."
For the first time the Tasmanian Early Career Pharmacist of the Year Award was shared, with community pharmacist, Jack Muir Wilson, and hospital pharmacist, Phil Tibbits, being awarded the title.
New Guild Tasmanian Branch President, Helen O'Byrne, noted the two Burnie-based pharmacists had played vital roles in providing medication services in the region during the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
"As co-owner of Wilkinson's Pharmacy, Jack gave invaluable support to his community during the North West outbreak, providing advice, essential medicines, and vaccinations to an anxious community, juggling all manner of logistical, administrative and clinical requests that presented during this time," O'Byrne said.
"As the clinical team leader at North West Regional Hospital, Phil displayed exceptional leadership in managing a clinical service leading up to and during the COVID-19 outbreak at North West Regional Hospital, including setting up a remote clinical pharmacy process that allowed pharmacists from outside of the quarantined area to complete comprehensive medication histories for COVID-19 positive patients."
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