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On Monday 13 November, President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Paul Sinclair AM delivered his lecture at our Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom AO Distinguished Lecture Series.
Titled 'Pharmacy practice: Navigating the evolving landscape of regulation and education', Sinclair delved into his vision for the future of pharmacy education and regulation.
You can also listen to APC's latest podcast episode with Chief Executive Officer, Bronwyn Clark, in conversation with Paul Sinclair AM.
"The time of the Pharmacist is now. Never have I seen such opportunity for our profession. We are transitioning from a supply model which has served us so well, but will not be fit for purpose to sustain us going forward. Artificial Intelligence, automation and government policy will all disrupt that supply model.
"We have the opportunity to leverage our private/public partnership with the Government to re-define the role of the pharmacist and deliver significant health outcomes for our communities.
"Pharmacists practising in any primary health care environment promotes the capability and the credibility of pharmacists.
"We must practise to our highest possible standards. To do this we must use relevant legislation and practice guidelines as blueprints for our practice. Decisions we make must be informed and be in the best interest of our patients.
"Young pharmacists are the future of our profession. We must do everything to mentor them and support them in their early career. Expansion of scope of practice will offer far more satisfying career paths for them and will project them as first point of call in the primary healthcare space.
"They must be committed to career-long learning and continual upskilling to meet the practice challenges and opportunities they will be presented with. They are our profession’s biggest asset and will be key to the future success of our profession. Maybe we need to look at how they transition from university to full registration.
"Practice change will be as important as new skills and disciplines. Successful implementation can only happen if the practice change required has been adopted.
"Technology and digitisation of health will expedite change. They have the potential to revolutionise pharmacy by streamlining processes, improving medication safety and enhancing patient care. Pharmacists will need to be fully digitally literate and enabled. Pharmacy may be the gatekeeper of much of the personal health data captured by wearable devices and pharmacists may be in the front line to interpret and utilise this data to inform changes to patients' drug regimes and disease state management.
"Lifelong learning is a concept not fully embraced by most pharmacists - we must improve our learning disciplines so we can take full advantage of the opportunities that will be presented to us.
The Sansom Lecture Series is one of APC's flagship events, held in November each year to hear from renown and respected leaders in pharmacy. It is now also home to the Dr Erica Sainsbury awards.