Assistant Minister to open Rural Pharmacy Forum  

The Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, the Hon Emma McBride MP, will officially open the Rural Pharmacy Forum as part of the Australian Pharmacy Professional (APP) Conference on the Gold Coast on 23 March 2023. 

APP is the largest pharmacy conference in the southern hemisphere, and attracts more than 6,000 proprietors, pharmacists, interns, students, pharmacy assistants and industry professionals to the Gold Coast each year for networking, upskilling and professional development. 

“As a pharmacist of over 20 years and the only pharmacist in federal Parliament, I’m proud to be opening the Rural Pharmacy Forum at next year’s APP Conference,” the Assistant Minister said. 

“Pharmacists are some of the most trusted healthcare professionals in Australia and this forum is an opportunity for us to discuss the important role pharmacists play in delivering healthcare to people living in rural and remote communities.” 

National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey, said the forum was a highlight of APP. 

“The forum provides a great opportunity for all pharmacists to learn more about developments in this sector of our profession and I am especially excited by this year’s theme of innovation and access which is so timely,” Professor Twomey said. 

The 2023 forum theme is Rural Pharmacy – Innovation and Access and will be an opportunity for participants to hear of the first-hand experiences and knowledge of rural community pharmacists on how they ensure their workforce is adapting to provide innovative services for their patients and their communities now and into the future.  

There will be an opportunity to hear from Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner – Allied Health and Indigenous Health, Associate Professor Dr Faye McMillan AM and for participants to provide their views to inform the 8CPA.   

Participants will also hear from community pharmacists, students, researchers, and policy makers who will cover important topics such as full scope, rural pharmacy workforce capacity, rural and Indigenous health, and cultural safety though an innovation lens.  One of the features of the Rural Pharmacy Forum for 2023 will be the return of the “Why I Love Rural Pharmacy” video competition and the video theme for 2023 is “Rural Pharmacy – exploring challenges, hidden opportunities”.