The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is pleased to announce that the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Greg Hunt MP, will be addressing delegates at the Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference and Trade Exhibition (APP) on Thursday 20 May.
APP2021 Conference Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM, said the announcement highlights the significance of community pharmacy in national health policy.
“Everyone knows that Minister Hunt is the busiest Minister in the Federal Cabinet at the moment, leading the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. We are thrilled that he has committed to attend APP in person on the Gold Coast,” Mr Sclavos said.
“We look forward to hearing the Minister’s key messages to the pharmacy profession.”
The announcement comes at a key time for community pharmacy, with the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“PBS approved community pharmacies are currently completing an expression of interest process to become COVID-19 vaccination sites in phase 2A of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy later this year,” said Mr Sclavos.
APP2021 will provide the perfect platform for pharmacy to discuss key management issues related to
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, with a number of sessions focusing on this topic.
Mr Sclavos said that he and other Guild officials are looking forward to welcoming Minster Hunt to APP and to showing their gratitude to the Minister for his ongoing support of community pharmacy.
“Personally, I hope my pharmacy colleagues will take the time at APP to thank the Minister for the confidence he has shown in community pharmacy with relation to the key role we will play in COVID-19 vaccinations”.
In line with COVID-19 Safe protocols, Minister Hunt is due to address delegates during the APP2021 Opening Plenary on Thursday 20 May. The session plans to highlight the achievements and challenges faced by the Guild and the industry in the last 12 months, and showcase several awards of excellence, including the Pharmacy of the Year, Intern of the Year and Pharmacy Assistant of the Year.
