NACCHO partners with Sanofi to build Indigenous pharmacist workforce

Pharma News: NACCHO is excited to announce that applications are now open for the inaugural NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship, proudly supported by a grant from Sanofi Australia.

The Scholarship provides subsidy and support for prospective or current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students and aims to build the pharmacist workforce amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. It includes tailored mentoring from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders.

Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA, NACCHO Deputy CEO, said “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists and pharmacy students are significantly underrepresented in the pharmacy profession. Building leadership and
skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals is a critical enabler in supporting cultural safety in the health sector. This financial support combined with mentorship will provide a tangible way to
help students to thrive in their professional training and stands to build confident and self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy sector leaders.”

In 2017, of the 24,609 pharmacists nationally, 70 (0.3%) were Indigenous. The number of full-time equivalent Indigenous pharmacists declined with remoteness.

Associate Professor Faye McMillan, a proud Wiradjuri Yinaa (woman), Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner and Pharmacist, said “Another example of the outstanding leadership of NACCHO and the commitment to the future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy workforce through the inaugural NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship. So delighted to see scholarships supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students.”

Sanofi Australia and New Zealand Country Lead, Karen Hood, said “As members of Australia’s healthcare community we know how important it is that we listen to, and work in partnership with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve health outcomes and support meaningful steps toward a more fair, equal and just society.

“Pharmacists play a crucial role in our health system and there is a clear need for greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in this field of study. We are delighted to be supporting the inaugural NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship as another step toward improving health and economic participation as determined by Australia’s First Peoples.”

This scholarship program is distinct from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship under 7CPA and offers successful applicants support from NACCHO and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mentorship. The NACCHO scholarship does not require applicants to be a member of their university’s student Rural Health Club nor specifically give preference to students who are residents of a rural or remote location. Additionally, applications are overseen by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander selection panel.

To apply for the NACCHO scholarships, click here.

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