Independent Pharmacies Australia (IPA) is strengthening its support for community pharmacy through its Expanded (Full) Scope of Practice Support Program, helping member pharmacists build the clinical capability, confidence, and business support to deliver expanded services in-store.
With 31 pharmacists having completed the program and a further 84 enrolled this year, IPA is seeing strong momentum as more pharmacists move to embed expanded scope into everyday practice.
IPA Managing Director Steven Kastrinakis said the program reflects IPA’s long-term commitment to the future of independent pharmacy.
“For IPA, ‘Here for Good’ means standing beside community pharmacists for the long term,” he said.
“It’s about giving pharmacy owners and their pharmacists the capability and confidence as their role continues to evolve to deliver more for their patients, while building sustainable, future-ready pharmacies. And as part of our new IPA Community Pharmacy membership, we are contributing $5,000 per pharmacy to help remove barriers and support members to undertake expanded scope of practice training.”
IPA member Ben Wishaw, owner of Twin Waters Pharmacy, said practising to his expanded scope enables him to deliver more comprehensive care.
“Practising to expanded scope means operating as the best pharmacist I can be and providing better healthcare to the people around me,” he said.
“IPA supported me from day one, from training to assessments, as well as business support such as consultation room preparation, procedures and policies, and in-store promotion to embed services into everyday practice.”
IPA’s program combines clinical education with practical, in-pharmacy execution, supporting members to integrate services, workflows and patient engagement into their business.
As part of its ongoing commitment, IPA will host its second Pharmacist Academy Conference from 20–22 July in Manly, NSW, to further enhance members’ expanded scope of practice capabilities.
By connecting clinical capability with operational delivery, IPA is making independent pharmacies more accessible and trusted healthcare destinations, and ensuring that its member pharmacies are ready to play a greater role in Australia’s primary healthcare system.
