Successful APP2021 a massive win for community pharmacy!
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s COVID-Safe Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP2021) was a success, with the conference attracting close to 5,200 attendees who got to meet face-to-face on the Gold Coast and hear from leaders in industry, politics and sport.
Kos Sclavos AM, APP Convenor and former Guild National President, said one of the highlights for him was the announcement by Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt that 56 Queensland community pharmacies would be the first in Australia to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations nationally.
“Queensland is leading the way again! This is big news for both community pharmacies and the communities we serve, and we’re honoured the Minister chose APP2021 as the right time to make this announcement,” Mr Sclavos said.
“We also celebrated our 2020 MIMS/Guild Intern of the Year, Dubbo local, Angus Koerstz, whose work supporting men’s health is to be commended.
“APP2021 played host to a bevy of our nation’s sporting heroes, with attendees hearing inspirational stories from Olympians, including Anna Meares and Steven Bradbury, while Dr Dinesh Palipana shared his story as Queensland’s first quadriplegic doctor.
“With COVID and the vaccination roll-out still affecting business and community, it was timely for APP2021 to also receive an update from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, a discussion on the ‘new Australian economy’ with Craig James, Chief Economist at CommSec, and ‘Digital transformation and electronic prescription’ with Amanda Cattermole, CEO, Australian Digital Health Agency.”
Delegates also enjoyed APP2021’s sold out trade exhibition, welcome reception and famous street party.
Mr Sclavos said next year’s APP2022 would be held in on 24–27 March, marking a return to its traditional timing.
“We’ve all seen how COVID has changed the way we operate businesses and events have changed too – I want to thank all attendees who helped make sure our COVID safety, including elbow bumping, the contactless check-in system and physical distancing ran smoothly,” he said.
“Next year we may see some of these measures still in place, but in a return to familiarity, we will see APP held once again in March.”
Mr Sclavos invited the pharmacy industry to Pharmacy Connect, being held in Sydney on 2-4 September. Early bird registrations are open at pharmacy-connect.com.au.
