An initiative that’s part of the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA), the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP), together with the World Pharmacy Council, has announced the launch of the Young Pharmacist Global Exchange Scholarship.
The $100,000 program, which is supported by the Australian Federal Government, is designed for newly registered early career pharmacists to learn about community pharmacy practices in another World Pharmacy Council member country for up to one year, once border restrictions are lifted.
In exchange, a young pharmacist from another Council member country will have the opportunity to work in Australia for up to one year.
Early career pharmacists and graduates within their first five years of registration, working in Australia, are encouraged to express their interest in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Staying up to date with world-best practices is important for community pharmacies that are ensuring Australians receive the highest standards of medications and related advice, especially during the Covid-19 recovery and vaccination rollout,” said The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, launching the program at APP2021.
“Learning first-hand how pharmacy services are administered in other countries will help the scholarship recipients build on their technical, operational and interpersonal skills, and that’s going to benefit not only their host pharmacies but the industry overall.”
World Pharmacy Council Vice President, Doug Hoey, welcomes the Australian Government’s support of the scholarship.
“Community pharmacy is recognised as a major part of primary healthcare systems worldwide and for many people, their relationship with a community pharmacy team is an important part of support network,” he said, adding that this program will facilitate a “two-way exchange of skills and knowledge”.
According to the ACP’s President, Ms Michelle Bou-Samra, the scholarship is the first of several new opportunities the College will be offering to recent pharmacy graduates that go beyond the traditional course or seminar experience.
“The scholarship program is a practical way to engage the next generation of community pharmacy leaders in professional development that also offers personal development benefits.
“Being immersed in another culture builds transferable skills like adaptability, confidence, resilience, problem-solving, collaboration, and decision-making,” she said.
For more information about the scholarship, visit: acp.edu.au
