The AJP Podcast

Australian Journal of Pharmacy
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The podcast by pharmacists, for pharmacists, brought to you by the AJP. Each episode, join a diverse panel of pharmacists from all settings and experience levels discussing topics that affect pharmacists in day to day practice – such as ability & gender diversity in pharmacy, and medicinal cannabis.

  1. Jul 1

    ‘It’s important to invest in your pharmacists’

    In this episode of the AJP Podcast, Sally Cairnduff explains what it’s like to work for a not-for-profit pharmacy servicing a rural community – and her lessons for the profession As the general manager of not-for-profit Wonthaggi Miners’ Pharmacy in regional Victoria, Sally Cairnduff runs her pharmacy a little bit differently.  “Profit is not the goal in itself,” she tells AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh. “Instead, we’re more interested in supporting our community and improving their health and wellbeing. So it’s a little bit different to other pharmacy models where all funds are either reinvested into the pharmacy to improve access and quality of care or donated to community initiatives.” Cairnduff tells McMaugh how else the pharmacy supports locals and how she manages staff shortages in a regional community.  Other highlights include: 3.15 – How the pharmacist gives back to the community. 5.45 – Helping patients who are ‘missed’ in the traditional healthcare system. 7.02 – Contributing to the community in other ways, such as supporting the arts scene. 8.12 – The pharmacy’s membership model. 14.22 – How the community reacted to automated dispensing. 20.26 – Investing in pharmacists. You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  2. Jun 3

    A president’s journey

    Former PSA national president, Associate Professor Fei Sim, reflects on the society’s evolution during her term, and looks to the future on the latest episode of our podcast  AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh sits down with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s immediate past president, Associate Professor Fei Sim, to discuss her time at the helm, and what the future holds for the organisation.  Having broken through the glass ceiling to become the PSA’s first female leader, Sim led the society through a transformative period, securing a heads of agreement for the First Pharmacy Practice Agreement, and the acquisition of the Australasian College of Pharmacy.  Highlights include:  1min 28 – A presidency was based on teamwork  2.20 – Succession – Professor Mark Naunton is “the prefect leader… to take the PSA into the next chapter”  4.18 – Predecessors, Dr Chris Freeman and Dr Shane Jackson woke the giant that is the PSA  7.52 – Growing the PSA’s membership  8.54 – The acquisition of the Australasian College of Pharmacy  11.22 – The PSA needs to keep the momentum going to deliver on its strategic priorities  12.33 – Growing pains in the pharmacist/GP relationship  16.24 – Health professions need to support each other to work to the top of their scope of practice  19.56 – Translating leader diversity into better outcomes  22.56 – The First Pharmacy Practice Agreement  29.54 – Breaking the glass ceiling to become the first female president of the PSA  34.11 – Looking to the future in a new role with the AMH  38.32 – Addressing unfinished business.    You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  3. May 20

    ‘They become more and more sophisticated over time’

    AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh discusses cybersecurity in 2026 – including why pharmacists need to consider themselves data stewards She sits down with PSA’s digital health lead and pharmacist Jarrod McMaugh to discuss everything from why criminals target small businesses, how to tell the difference between a legitimate communication from a GP or wholesaler and a data theft attempt, and pharmacists’ obligations to their patients when it comes to privacy. The two discuss why the greater amount of data now collected and shared could leave a “back door” open to cyber threats – and why you should never pay a ransom if you’ve been targeted. Highlights include 01:03 – Why is community pharmacy a high-value target for cybercriminals? 02:52 – Protection and prevention 06:25 – The common weak links in pharmacy digital infrastructure 07:58 – Spot the difference: legitimate requests and data theft attempts 10:31 – Pharmacies’ responsibilities under the Australian Privacy Principle 11 13:28 – Legal and professional obligations if a breach occurs 20:34 – “Every health service in the country must have a policy around their access to My Health Records.” 23:33 – Privacy considerations around the Pharmacists Shared Medicines List 27:01 – The top three non-negotiable digital hygiene habits 28:53 – The role of software vendors 31:49 – How do shared records raise privacy and cyber threat concerns? 33:42 – The role of professional indemnity insurers 36:21 – The role of the PSA You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  4. May 6

    Frontline workers critical to AI use in healthcare

    Decisions around the adoption of AI in healthcare need input from those who will be using it, hospital pharmacist Ella Shearing says  AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh sits down with clinical pharmacist Ella Shearing, of Locumate, to discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacy.  A survey conducted by Shearing at a Sydney hospital found pharmacists were receptive to using the new technology (2 minutes 30), but understanding of AI was mixed (3:26).   Shearing noted that while AI is already being used by pharmacists and other health practitioners for administrative tasks (7:03), decisions regarding how it is implemented need to take the views of frontline workers into account (16:13).  “Just because we can adopt AI tools doesn’t mean we should,” Shearing told McMaugh (17:12).   Highlights include:  3:35 – Environmental costs of AI not well understood  9:25 – Barriers to taking AI into the clinical space  10:41 – Lack of transparency around AI software fuels hesitancy among some pharmacists  13:16 – High costs mean AI is unlikely to replace existing drug interaction software  14:25 – Integrating AI into electronic medical record systems (EMRs) “could be quite useful”  21:15 – AI could be used to generate medication charts for patients to take home and for providing information about Webster pack changes with patients’ community pharmacies  22:15 – The best way to learn about AI is to use it  25:12: Development of guidelines and policies will be key to ensuring the safe and ethical use of AI in healthcare settings  26:14 – Pharmacists currently using AI are conservative about how they use it.   You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  5. Apr 22

    ‘Step fully into your role as a prevention leader’

    Vaccination will always be the “inaugural proof point for full scope,” says “the Vaccination Pharmacist” In this episode of the AJP Podcast, host Carlene McMaugh sits down with Anna Theophilos, who takes listeners through her journey into an educator on social media – and how to cut through misinformation about vaccines. Discussing the importance of communicating about the risks of influenza, especially for people aged over 50, and RSV, Theophilos says that the public already know and trust pharmacists as vaccinators. “What needs to shift is not necessarily public perception, but it’s the system’s willingness to formally recognise what pharmacists already are, which we are immunisation leaders,” she says – noting that this also means appropriate remuneration and a new look at vaccinating outside community pharmacies. Highlights include 01:23 – Theophilos’ mission 02:10 – From a “very sad Facebook page” to effective social media communication 04:30 – Where Theophilos gets ideas for content 05:45 – “I actually think the public is already ahead of the system on this one.” 09:04 – How she plans to work with the PSA to advocate for legislative change to support pharmacist immunisers 10:10 – System and funding barriers 12:55 – Work in aged care 14:30 – How can a busy community pharmacy integrate high volume vaccination programs without compromising safety or staff wellbeing? 16:49 – Ensuring financial viability 19:38 – High-level discussions 21:40 – Collaborating with local GPs 26:07 – “Vaccination will always be the inaugural proof point for full scope.” 28:19 – Advice for ECPs 30:51 – The most common vaccine myth Theophilos debunks 32:32 – “I’d make every vaccine funded.” 33:27 – A call to action You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  6. Apr 8

    ‘How do you approach those conversations?’

    Do pharmacists have a bigger role to play recognising and supporting patients with mental health concerns? The AJP Podcast discusses the matter with Claire O’Reilly Australia’s pharmacists have a frontline role in triaging patients who are struggling, but more training is needed across the profession, the AJP Podcast has heard.  Pharmacist and Associate Professor at the University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Claire O’Reilly, has been a researching the evolving role of pharmacists in the mental health space for some time. She has become an advocate for further education and training.  “I think we do need to really work at improving the communication skills to make people feel comfortable,” she told Carlene McMaugh.  “If someone does say that they’re not okay, then what? That’s the critical next step.” Other highlights include:  4.01: A distressing incident that highlighted the need for further education.  5.58: The importance of mental health training.  10.03: Signs or cues someone may be struggling.  15.00: Creating a safe, non-judgmental space.  19.19: Medications management.  21.32: Essential steps pharmacists can take.  23.02: Referral services.  26.00: How pharmacists can manage their own mental health and burnout.  Pharmacists can contact the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) on 1300 244 910 for peer support related to the demands of being a pharmacist in Australia. Lifeline is available on 13 11 14. Members can call PDL on 1300 854 838 for support from a professional officer. For urgent assistance or in an emergency please do not hesitate to contact emergency services on 000. You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  7. Mar 25

    Scope legislation: pushing the government

    “Legislation and practice aren’t necessarily keeping up with the universities,” says a leading pharmacy student, discussing the future of the sector Sebastian Harper, national president at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), chats with AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh about scope of practice, the importance of making pharmacy friends and placement poverty. Harper says that universities are already ahead of the game when it comes to expansion of pharmacy practice. “I think things like legislation and practise aren’t necessarily keeping up with the universities,” he says. “The unis are pretty much almost there with having graduates ready to get out there and adapt to the new scope of practice for pharmacists, but it’s the legislation, it’s the scope of practice programs.” While some states are ahead of others, “some are falling a bit behind,” he warns. “And it’s actually, I think, students that are really ready to undertake these services. Obviously, we do need that extra training, but compared to the pharmacists who graduated 20 years ago, not as much extra training and not as much extra knowledge and skill with what we’re learning. “It’s really about the profession actually continuing to push the government, continuing to push each other to make sure that practise actually is adapting to what students are ready to do from graduation and from when they finish internship.” Highlights include: 00:56 – Discussing placement poverty with decision-makers 02:45 – Talking to patients in full scope consultations 05:42 – Skill gaps between study and practice 07:21 – Stories from NAPSA Congress 09:14 – The surprise changes of 2025 11:00 – NAPSA goals 14:23 – “Students don’t necessarily realise the power that they have in their profession.” 17:28 – Core competencies needed for future success 21:29 – NAPSA’s long-term vision 25:32 – The most-needed skill in 2026 26:55 – A deeper look at placement poverty 29:21 – Key questions when interviewing for an internship 32:31 – Staying centred during internship 34:48 – “Get involved in NAPSA.” You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

  8. Mar 11

    ‘We’ll be strongly advocating for things like removal of caps’

    PSA’s new president flags changes to the profession, with priorities including the negotiation of the pharmacy programs agreement, the new Code of Ethics and the College transition AJP podcast host Carlene McMaugh sits down for a chat with Pharmaceutical Society of Australia national president Mark Naunton, who says that he has “great confidence” in how the agreement’s negotiations are taking place. “There’s a number of things that we’ll be advocating strongly for, and our credentialed pharmacist need to know that they are at the forefront of our minds. “When we are doing these negotiations, our credentialed pharmacists have a great impact in trying to improve patient safety, which is, as medicine safety is as national health priority area, all pharmacists have a responsibility to do this, but under the first PPA, our credentialed pharmacist, those pharmacists doing HMRs, RMMRs, they do need special attention. “There’s been years where they’ve had no increase in their pay. They’re limited by the amount of work they can do, and we know that they do great work, but not all patients are getting benefit from these because there’s caps, for example, on the amount of HMRs that they can do. “So we’ll be strongly advocating for things like removal of caps, indexation of payments, back pay for programs that have not had increases in pay over the last five or six years.’ Highlights include: 01:36 – The sector’s biggest recent achievement 03:36 – How is PSA supporting upskilling as scope expands? 08:36 – Unifying the profession 11:12 – The impact of work on focus areas like palliative care, mental health first aid and vaping reform 14:18 – The Code of Ethics review 17:13 – Advocating for the funding of professional services 21:43 – Key goals for career pathways 24:02 – Naunton’s plans for his first term 28: 23 – PSA’s 2025 achievements 31:02 – What does 2026 hold in store for pharmacists and the PSA? You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription. ACCESS PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify  Carlene McMaugh

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About

The podcast by pharmacists, for pharmacists, brought to you by the AJP. Each episode, join a diverse panel of pharmacists from all settings and experience levels discussing topics that affect pharmacists in day to day practice – such as ability & gender diversity in pharmacy, and medicinal cannabis.

Information

  • Creator
    Australian Journal of Pharmacy
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 AJP
  • Show Website
    The AJP Podcast

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