It’s been a whirlwind start to the year for NAPSA. Hobart Congress 2024 captivated the largest delegation of pharmacy students since the pre-COVID era, and our efforts to include pharmacy and allied health students in the recently announced Commonwealth Prac Payment have activated thousands of members across the country.
Across an entire week in Tasmania, Congress delegates learnt from engaging speakers, networked with industry leaders and formed lifelong friendships with their peers from both Australia and New Zealand. Between experiencing the pharmacy student event of the year, delegates raised $2,615 for the Pharmacists’ Support Service, and the NAPSA team announced that for the first time ever bone marrow donations will be included in the annual Vampire Cup - in collaboration with Strength to Give. Preparations are well underway for NAPSA Congress 2025 in Brisbane, so keep an eye out on our socials and website for the opening of registrations.
In early May the Australian Government announced the Commonwealth Prac Payment, providing financial support for nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students on placement. We know the immense impact of placement poverty on pharmacy and allied health students, in a cost-of-living crisis unprecedented for most students today. This is why both before and after this sudden announcement, NAPSA has been working tirelessly to tackle placement poverty for our members and beyond.
Before the Federal Budget, your local NAPSA branches sent letters to each government Member of Parliament, urging them to consider pharmacy and allied health students in their measures against placement poverty. Our work doesn’t stop there however, and we need your support to show parliamentarians the financial burden of mandatory placements. If you haven’t already, ensure you complete the short Placement Poverty Survey in your emails from NAPSA.
We’re coming to the end of the NAPSA year, with nominations now open for our Board of Executive Directors, and closing on the 21st of June. If you are excited to get involved, make an impact and lead the next generation of pharmacists, there’s never been a better time to apply!
