The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today release the Pharmacists in 2030: Strengthening consumer voices report, an addendum to the Pharmacists in 2030 vision released in August 2024.
The report reveals the outcomes of fourteen patient focus groups held as part of the broader Pharmacists in 2030 consultation process.
Consumers reaffirmed high levels of trust with pharmacists, and expressed broad support for expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, including prescribing and participating in multidisciplinary teams.
As part of the report, PSA also makes a series of commitments to ensure patients are better served by Australian pharmacists. PSA commits to:
- maintaining a consumer network to inform and partner in our work, including in PSA’s policy and advocacy, the development of practice guidelines and other practice support materials;
- utilising the lived experience of consumers to inform pharmacist education, including at PSA’s National Conference; and
- remunerating consumers for their involvement in projects and consultation.
These commitments further promote person-centred care as part of PSA’s role as leaders of professional pharmacy practice.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the Pharmacists in 2030 consumer consultation was a powerful testimony to how health sector policy can be strengthened with the views of patients.
“Patients and consumers are at the heart of everything we do as pharmacists, and should have a voice when policies are made for the system that is meant to serve them,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“Throughout our Pharmacists in 2030 project PSA listened to both pharmacists and consumer focus groups, and the result is a stronger vision for the future.
“In releasing these consumer insights PSA also makes a number of commitments to amplifying consumer voices in all that we do. Consumers will continue to be a key part of the work we undertake, from standards and guidelines, to education and policy work. Partnerships which have been ad hoc now become our business-as-usual.
“Working directly with consumers and consumer advocates means the communities we serve have a greater say on how pharmacist care is delivered, improving care for all Australians.”
The Pharmacists in 2030: Strengthening consumer voices report is available here.
