Leaders in Indigenous Pharmacy Profession Education (LIPPE) Network

Welcome to the Leaders in Indigenous Pharmacy Profession Education (LIPPE) Network!

The network is dedicated to transforming the pharmacist workforce by enabling Indigenous leadership in the delivery of pharmacist education.

Culturally safe pharmacy practice can only be achieved when Indigenous leadership is empowered so that Indigenous values can shape the context of service delivery.

The Journey

We are so excited to be on this journey led by the deadly Indigenous Health Strategy Group.

This journey began with conversations in 2021 where we published a literature review and delivered a series of podcasts and webinars led by Indigenous pharmacists.

Podcasts and Webinars

We acknowledge with deep regret the ongoing impact of racism on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians as outlined in the National Rural Health Commissioner’s Position Statement – Impacts of racism on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.

We are committed to doing our part to eliminate racism in pharmacy services.

Objectives of LIPPE

1. Support pharmacy programs in the development and delivery of Indigenous health content in pharmacy curricula and assessments.
2. Support pharmacy programs to embed processes and tools for monitoring and evaluating Indigenous health content in pharmacy curricula and assessments.
3. Support pharmacy programs to identify and implement effective strategies for recruitment and retention of Indigenous pharmacy students.
4. Identify and share resources for Indigenising pharmacy curriculum and graduating Indigenous students.
5. Support pharmacy programs to engage with Indigenous community-controlled health organisations and to increase opportunities for appropriate clinical placements for non-Indigenous students.
6. Support pharmacy programs to provide culturally safe clinical placements opportunities for First Nations students.
7. Encourage co-design and co-produce research that is culturally driven and supports identified needs of communities.
8. Be a peer network for professional development and support (share challenges and celebrate successes).
9. Work collaboratively with other health professionals.
10. Work collaboratively with pharmacy business owners (and through relevant organisations) to support culturally safe pharmacy services.
11. Advocate for reform within the pharmacy sector to improve Indigenous health outcomes.

Purple Pen Podcast

Listen to the Purple Pen Podcast with A/Prof Faye McMillan, Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner and a proud Wiradjuri yinaa, and APC CEO, Bronwyn Clark about what is means to be a culturally capable pharmacist.

Questions and Suggestions

We invite you to send us questions and provide any suggestions regarding the LIPPE network by writing to us at hello@LIPPE.org.au.

Behind our logo

Our logo symbolises our desire to walk forward in partnership and cause a ripple effect in our communities. Created by Sarah Richards, the artwork is part of the "A Step in the Right Direction" commissioned by the APC.

LIPPE Steering Committee

The LIPPE Steering Committee is led by the APC's Indigenous Health Strategy Group and comprises CPS and APC Board members and staff. Its purpose is to operationalise and lead the Network towards its vision. It will honour and uphold Indigenous values.

Members include:

Faye McMillan AM	Indigenous Health Strategy Group and Board Director, Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
Leanne Te Karu	Indigenous Health Strategy Group, APC
Aleena Williams	Indigenous Health Strategy Group and Board Director, Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
Chastina Heck	Indigenous Health Strategy Group, and Accreditation Committee member, APC
Lloyd Dolan	Indigenous Health Strategy Group, APC
Alex Burke	Indigenous Health Strategy Group, APC
Anna Tiatia Fa'atoese Latu	Indigenous Health Strategy Group, APC
Maree Toombs	Accreditation Committee member, APC
Debra Rowett	President, Council of Pharmacy Schools (CPS)
Liza Seubert	CPS
Mark Naunton	CPS
Sue Kirsa	Board Chair, APC
Amanda Galbraith	Board Director, APC
Rhonda Clifford	Board Director, APC
Bronwyn Clark	Chief Executive Officer, APC
Glenys Wilkinson	Deputy Chief Executive Officer, APC

Acknowledgement

We gratefully acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live in today. We pay our respects to the resilience, strength and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging across the nation.

We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ vast knowledge in native plants and their uses. They were our first pharmacists. Country has provided medicines and healing throughout history. We acknowledge this important connection to Country and the impacts colonisation continues to have on this integral practice.