The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, has been accorded the organisation's highest honour by being made a life member of the Guild.
Mr Tambassis has been National President for seven years and recently announced he would be stepping down from the position at the end of his current term early next year.
The award, bestowed by the National Council of the Guild, was presented to Mr Tambassis personally by the Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt MP, in Canberra last night.
Mr Hunt congratulated Mr Tambassis on a significant contribution to the Guild, to pharmacy and to the nation, particularly through the COVID pandemic crisis, when pharmacies stayed open to serve patients.
"Community pharmacies have been right at the front of the queue of the people who have protected Australia. It's been a big year: bushfires, COVID, the new Pharmacy Agreement.
"And I think while this may have been the hardest year for pharmacy since the Second World War, I think it's been the finest year for pharmacy.
"George, you couldn't have achieved more, and you couldn't have given more to the nation," Mr Hunt said.
The Executive Director of the Guild, Suzanne Greenwood, said: "George Tambassis has put his stamp on community pharmacy over the past seven years with dedication and commitment which has significantly benefitted all Australian patients and community pharmacies."
At the time of announcing his decision to step down next year, Mr Tambassis said: "Reflecting on the role of the past years, I would say it has been very demanding, but also rewarding.
"In particular, I have cherished the opportunity to meet so many Guild Members around the country, and share experiences with them first-hand," he said.
"Community pharmacy is a dynamic and highly regarded industry doing great work for all Australians, and it has been so good to lead the Guild during a period in which we have broadened the role of our pharmacists and staff in the interests of patients," Mr Tambassis said.
