SET AND READY TO UNLEASH THE POTENTIAL OF THE PHARMACIST HEALTH WORKFORCE Government aligns Scope of Practice review with Pharmacists in 2030 report
Filmed in Perth, Western Australia, November 2024
With Associate Professor Fei Sim, National President
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
Last week, Associate Professor Fei Sim the National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the peak body representing 39,000 pharmacists across Australia’s health system, spoke to Australian Health Journal about the release of the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review. The review and final report sets out to create a clear pathway for health professionals to contribute more to our health system and practice to their full and top of scope.
The report calls for governments to remove the inconsistent barriers that restrict the scope of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS commended the report’s focus on removing barriers for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals as a critical step towards a more accessible and resilient healthcare system.
“This review confirms PSA’s view that inconsistent regulations, unnecessary restrictions on practice, and siloed workforces are having a negative impact on patient access to quality health care,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“Pharmacists are some of the most accessible healthcare professionals in our communities, yet regulatory barriers continue to limit our ability to provide care when and where our patients need it. The release of this final report is the next step towards breaking down these barriers through a short- and long-term reform agenda, addressing the inefficiencies in our health system.”
Associate Professor Sim said that the report’s recommendations present a genuine opportunity to improve access to health care across Australia.
“There is a clear alignment between Cormack’s recommendations and the actions in PSA’s vision for the pharmacy profession, Pharmacists in 2030. Both present a clear vision for the future that requires collaboration for a health system that works for patients,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“This report recognises the core role of pharmacies and pharmacists as primary healthcare providers and recommends a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
“In order to make the most of the opportunities presented by the report, we need governments, regulators and health care professionals to work together for a strong, sustainable health system that utilises all health professionals to their full scope.
“I urge governments and stakeholders at all levels to accept and act on the report’s recommendations in full to build a health system ready for the growing health needs of Australians.”
A/Prof Fei Sim served on the Cormack Review’s Expert Advisory Committee, representing the pharmacy profession.
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Continuing education program leads to better conversations
Medicines Australia’s Continuing Education Program (CEP) is designed to educate medical representatives to a recognised industry standard. Dr Tristan Ling, CEP Academic Lead and Project Manager at the College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania talks about the 900 students that come through the program each year.
The CEP is primarily directed at medical representatives working within the prescription medicines industry, but is also recommended to people who may not be currently employed within the industry but would like to pursue a career as a medical representative. It is also available to personnel working for organisations interacting with the pharmaceutical industry.
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Getting the conversation going on the connection between oral health and chronic conditions
Dr. Carol Tran is an Oral Health Therapist and co-founder of Oral Health Home, an organisation focused on innovative, prevention-oriented oral health education and outreach. She is a Past President of Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA) and currently is the Scientific Program Chair, for upcoming congress in October 2025, for the newly formed Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA).
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State of private healthcare in Australia
Australia’s healthcare system is often described as a mixed system, with a combination of public and private providers. While public healthcare through Medicare provides universal coverage for essential services, private healthcare offers additional options and amenities for those who can afford them.
Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) is the Australian private health insurance industry’s peak representative body that currently has 21registered health funds throughout Australia and collectively represents 98% of people covered by private health insurance. PHA member funds today provide healthcare benefits for over 14 million Australians.
