The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland held its sixth annual parliamentary reception at Queensland Parliament House on Wednesday 21 August. The reception celebrated community pharmacy’s positive impacts on patients by recognising the achievements of pharmacists and others pivotal to shaping the industry.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President Chris Owen thanked the Premier, Minister, and Opposition Leader for their support and paid tribute to the achievements of those who received awards last night.
“It was wonderful to hear from the Premier, Minister, and Opposition Leader,” said Mr Owen, “the fact that all three of these very busy individuals took time out of a Parliamentary week, less than ten weeks from the state election, demonstrates the importance all sides of politics places on community pharmacy in Queensland,” said Mr Owen.
“While we’re just over halfway through 2024, we’ve made significant progress this year in providing more options for Queensland patients to receive front-line health care services in their community pharmacies,” said Mr Owen.
“To name just a few, we’ve seen the first occasions of care for the Queensland Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot, increasing numbers of patients coming through the doors to access vaccines, thousands of women across the state accessing urinary tract infection (UTI) services, as well as more than 200 occasions of care for the Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot since services commenced in April.
“All of these achievements have two things in common: they allow Queenslanders more choices in accessing front-line health services and they take pressure off other areas of our health care system, especially within hospital emergency departments.”
Mr Owen also paid tribute to those who received official recognition for their efforts this year.
“The President’s Award is the highest honour that a Branch President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia can bestow,” said Mr Owen. “It is designed to recognise outstanding achievements and exceptional individuals for their contribution to community pharmacy. Congratulations to our 2024 winners.”
The first President’s Award of the evening was awarded to Amanda Seeto, a member of the Queensland Guild Branch Committee and the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Australasian College of Pharmacy.
Jennifer Huang, the Senior Financial Controller for The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland was also awarded the President’s Award this year.
