The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the University of Tasmania's announcement of a three-year Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours program set to begin in 2023.
The new program will deliver the same volume of learning as four-year programs and is the first of its kind in Australia. PSA Tasmania President David Peachey says the new program will accelerate more young pharmacists into the profession.
"Pharmacists have struggled with workforce capacity since the beginning of the pandemic, and as the role of pharmacists evolves, the profession needs to expand," he said.
"This new program will give pharmacy students the opportunity to accelerate their learning and get into pharmacy sooner.
Mr Peachey said that while this program will be attractive to some students, greater focus needs to be put on attracting students to the profession.
"We need to encourage more students to take up pharmacy degrees by making a career as a pharmacist more attractive.
"PSA has been working with governments to improve conditions and remuneration for pharmacists that better reflects their standing in the healthcare system as well as their expertise, training, and skills.
"Being a pharmacist is a very rewarding career and PSA will continue advocating for a career that attracts the best and brightest young minds.
"PSA looks forward to working with the University of Tasmania and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology as their program begins."
