Emerson to depart from PSA

PHARMACEUTICAL Society of Australia (PSA) ceo Lance Emerson (pictured) has resigned from the organisation after three and a half years.

Emerson will leave in Jan 2018, with PSA national president Shane Jackson applauding his “effective and strategic leadership.

“His dedication and service to the profession - and engagement with key stakeholders - has been admirable and our members would agree he has taken PSA to the next level in terms of advocacy, professional development and practice support.”

Jackson said Emerson’s many achievements had included transforming the Society from functioning as six separate organisations across Australia to “one unified entity,” as well as securing recognition for the PSA as the peak pharmacists’ organisation via peak Health Professional Association government funding.

Emerson had been instrumental in boosting public recognition of the role of pharmacists, as well as championing key reforms and sector dialogue on a host of issues including pharmacist wages, Early Career Pharmacists, new career pathways, innovative pharmacist services, community pharmacy reforms, women in pharmacy and equality, Jackson added.

The PSA said a recruitment process for a replacement was now underway, with Emerson saying he was “incredibly proud to have led PSA to become such a prominent peak national body”.

Pharmacy Guild executive director David Yuilty acknowledged Emerson’s strong leadership which had seen him be an “effective advocate for the profession with a strong focus on enhancing the role of pharmacists in medication management and primary care.

“The Guild will continue working collaboratively with the PSA under any incoming CEO in the interests of patients, community pharmacies and the pharmacist profession,” Yuilty promised.