The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has named Melbourne-based pharmacist Neil Petrie MPS CredPharm (MMR, ACOP) as the first-ever recipient of the PSA AMH Aged Care Pharmacist of the Year Award.
The announcement was made at the Consultant Pharmacists Conference (CPC25) held in Adelaide on Friday 2 May.
Sponsored by the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH), the award recognises excellence, leadership, and innovation in aged care pharmacy.
Specialising in medication management and aged care
Mr Petrie, who has specialised in medication management and aged care for more than 30 years, was acknowledged for his wide-reaching and lasting contributions in the sector.
As one of the first pharmacists accredited to conduct medication reviews in 1998, Mr Petrie has delivered thousands of comprehensive medication reviews in aged care facilities across metropolitan and rural Victoria, resolving medication problems, improving facility-wide medicine practices, and significantly improving the quality of life for his patients.
His influence extends beyond clinical practice.
Mr Petrie has played a key role in updating national guidelines for medication reviews, contributing to research and advisory panels, and pioneering on-site pharmacist roles in aged care facilities.
His commitment to collaborative care models has strengthened connections between pharmacists, GPs, and aged care staff to better support residents’ health and safety.
In 2019, he contributed to revising guidelines for comprehensive medication reviews and quality use of medicines.
Most recently, he became one of the first aged care on-site pharmacists (ACOP) at Donwood Community Care in Victoria, reinforcing his leadership in integrating pharmacists into aged care teams.
‘Most deserving recipient’
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS says Mr Petrie was a most deserving recipient of the inaugural award.
“PSA is proud to honour Neil Petrie as the inaugural PSA AMH Aged Care Pharmacist of the Year, recognising a career dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of older Australians, leading the embedding of pharmacists in aged care,” she said.
“Recognising pharmacists like Neil reinforces the vital contribution our profession makes to the care of older Australians and inspires continued excellence in aged care pharmacy practice.”
‘Inspiring representation of the pharmacy profession’
AMH Chief Executive Officer David Dart congratulated Mr Petrie on his inspiring representation of the pharmacy profession.
“AMH is pleased to be associated with and a sponsor of this inaugural award in recognising outstanding contribution by a pharmacist to the practice of Aged Care Pharmacy,” he said.
“We congratulate the recipient and wish them continued success.”
‘Passionate about improving care of older Australians’
Chair of PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Community of Specialty Interest (CSI) Deborah Hawthorne FPS CredPharm (MMR) also paid tribute to Mr Petrie’s leadership.
“Anyone who has met Neil knows his passion for improving the care we provide older Australians,” Ms Hawthorne said.
“His work not only improves individual patient outcomes but has also contributes to the systemic improvements in medicine safety and quality use of medicines in residential aged care.
“We are proud to celebrate Neil’s achievements, which highlight the critical role consultant pharmacists play in driving better health outcomes and quality of life for older Australians.”
PSA congratulates Mr Petrie on this significant achievement and thanks the AMH for supporting the inaugural award, which will continue to spotlight excellence in aged care pharmacy practice in years to come.
