A new agreement between the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand unlocks collaboration opportunities and joint efforts to represent community pharmacy interests.
The Memorandum of Understanding allows the Guilds to share information about:
- Advocacy efforts and government relations
- Sector-related funding proposals
- Pharmacy regulation
- Quality use of medicines
- Clinical governance, including PGA’s QCPP quality assurance program
- Advancing pharmacy profession through scope of practice initiatives
- Health service delivery programs
- The World Pharmacy Council
This follows successful visits and significant efforts behind the scenes.
For members in both countries, the agreement means sharing and developing relevant offerings and partnership opportunities, enabling better solutions for members, patients, governments, and stakeholders.
While this agreement opens doors for collaboration, understanding the cultural and regulatory environments in each country is essential.
In Australia, pharmacists play a significant role in patient education and medication management, with a focus on preventative healthcare. A prime example is the widespread flu vaccination programs run by community pharmacies, where pharmacists administer vaccines directly to patients, showcasing the direct communication and proactive health management that is valued in Australian culture.
Australia's regulatory frameworks allow an expanded scope of practice, including administering vaccinations and managing chronic diseases. This supports innovative healthcare models, enabling pharmacists to provide comprehensive care.
New Zealand's pharmacy practice is shaped strongly by a community-centred approach to healthcare. This fosters supportive interactions between pharmacists and patients, emphasising holistic care. For instance, the Pharmacy Health Targets initiative encourages pharmacies to work within primary healthcare teams to deliver services like smoking cessation programs, highlighting the multidisciplinary approach and the emphasis on holistic care.
Understanding these differences allows the Pharmacy Guilds to tailor collaborative efforts, ensuring initiatives under the agreement are relevant and effective, benefiting all parties in Australia and New Zealand.
