This year’s Rural Pharmacy Forum, held on Thursday 14 March at APP Conference on the Gold Coase was themed ‘adapting to a changing landscape.’
The forum was an opportunity for regional, rural and remote community pharmacists to get together and discuss the challenges facing them.
The program kicked off with Goondiwindi pharmacist Lucy Walker, well known for being the first to trial medication deliveries to rural QLD residents by drone. She discussed the practicalities and challenges of the added demands inherent to full scope studies. Her message was clear: find your why and the rest will follow.
Andrew Pattinson, Chief Innovation Officer of Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (previously The Platform Alliance Group), facilitated an interactive workshop to identify opportunities for future policy directions.
The Forum offered a platform for regional, rural and remote pharmacists to have a voice on what matters to them. It was an important opportunity for those on the front line to provide input that will pave the way for an advocacy agenda.
Following a Q & A panel which drew on the lived experience of rural pharmacists as they move into the full scope arena, the annual I Love Rural Pharmacy Video Competition was held.
This year a record number of video entries were received, which showcased videos on the theme of adapting to a changing landscape. For some, the theme resonated around the changing physical landscape of their environment. For others, the theme was more literal in terms of the changing environment in their pharmacy.
Taking the award out for a second year running was Pharmacy 777 Port Headland. It aptly reflected many of the challenges outlined in the discussion throughout the day. It then presented good-news stories, solutions and outcomes for pharmacies facing similar challenges.
Congratulations to all who entered and thank you to all who attended the full-house forum.
Next year will be bigger and better and we look forward to seeing all future entries. View the winning video here.
