The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has congratulated My Luke Achterstraat on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of COSBOA.
The National President of the Guild, Professor Trent Twomey, said that Mr Achterstraat brought to his new role a wealth of important and practical experience gained in the small business and government sectors.
Mr Achterstraat has previously served as the NSW Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, held the position of Chair of the Expert Housing Advisory Panel for the NSW Government, and has worked in a series of senior advisory roles in the Federal Government, including for the ministers for trade, investment, tourism and international education.
“These skills are particularly important as Australia goes through a very challenging time for all businesses, but particularly for small businesses which are the most vulnerable to tightening economic conditions,” Professor Twomey said.
“COSBOA is pivotal in giving these small businesses a voice.
“Australia’s 6,000 community pharmacies are small businesses which are represented by the Guild and so I am delighted that Mr Achterstraat will lead COSBOA and work with the Guild to help ensure the ongoing viability of the community pharmacy sector.
“Communities across Australia rely on these small business community pharmacies for their health needs and these are under threat under new government Budget proposals which may see services cut at best, or pharmacies forced to close at worst.
“I look forward to working with Mr Achterstraat to ensure that community pharmacies are able to continue serving patients and communities across the country.”
