Charles Darwin University (CDU) pharmacy graduates have become the first in Australia to be awarded the title of 'Doctor of Pharmacy' following accreditation changes announced by the Federal Government in late 2024.
The reforms, which came into effect January 1, recognise extended master's programs under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9, with students now able to use the title 'Doctor of Pharmacy' - marking a significant advancement in acknowledging the evolving clinical responsibilities of pharmacists. Previous to January 1, pharmacy students who completed extended master's programs were only allowed to use the 'Master' title.
The changes also bring pharmacy into alignment with other health professions - such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, physiotherapy and podiatry - where extended master's degrees grant graduates the Doctor title.
CDU's Associate Professor Pharmacy (Faculty of Health) Heather Volk said the title recognised the level and length of training required to provide the full range of medication management services - including prescribing - with students completing additional clinical and research studies as part of their learning.
"The introduction of the Doctor of Pharmacy award is an exciting time for the profession," Associate Professor Volk said.
"Pharmacy, like most health programs at CDU, is required to meet the rigorous national standards set by our Boards and is administered through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). "We also work closely with the profession as our students undertake weekly work integrated learning in a variety of healthcare settings. "Providing greater access to education in rural and remote areas is a priority of CDU, and the support of the profession allows us to deliver our course online – allowing people to obtain the qualification regardless of where they live."
One of six students to graduate during recent celebrations, 26-year-old CDU Doctor of Pharmacy graduate Mahsa Mosalla said she believed the use of the title Doctor would create more career opportunities as well as open more doors to specialise within the profession. "Back home in Iran pharmacists are very highly respected and in the same tier as medical doctors," Miss Mosalla said. "In Australia, however, there's a perception that pharmacists just stick labels on bottles and that's it - but it's a much more skilled profession. "We're the second checkpoint for medical doctors and are an important part of that circle of patient care. We already do vaccinations - hopefully there will be opportunities to prescribe and provide increased clinical services in future." The youngest of four children, Miss Mosalla moved to Australia in 2018 with aspirations to study pharmacy and will now join two of her other siblings in the profession, with the third working as a civil engineer. "My parents didn't have the opportunity to go to university. Education was very important to my Dad who sadly passed away while I was studying - my parents instilled in my siblings and I that education and family were the most important," Miss Mosalla said. "CDU gave me a chance to pursue my dreams in a way that was actually achievable for me – studying remotely while working full-time. "For me, earning the title of Doctor is symbolic of all the hard work, sacrifice and resilience - not just for me, but also for my family, for supporting me."
