Friendly pharmacist honoured

DIABETES NSW & ACT has awarded its most prestigious honour, the Sir Kempson Maddox Award, to former Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President and Life Fellow, John “the friendly pharmacist” Bell (pictured).

The award, established in honour of the organisation’s founder, acknowledges people who have made a significant contribution to the diabetes movement.

PSA NSW Branch President, Professor Peter Carroll, said the award was further recognition of John’s extensive contribution not only to the pharmacy profession but the broader healthcare system.

“Since establishing the community pharmacy John Bell Pharmacist Advice in Woollahra in 1969, John has been working to not only improve the health of his local community, but also advocating for better national and international approaches to healthcare,” Professor Carroll said.

Bell was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for services to pharmacy and in 2017 he was awarded PSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the pharmacy profession and the Australian and international communities.

“John has taken an active role in international pharmacy for more than 30 years, including eight years as Vice President of the Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP),” Carroll said.

“In 2004 he received FIP’s highest honour, the Andre Bedat Award for services to international pharmacy practice” (PD 05 Sep 18).

Bell currently works in his pharmacy and teaches at the Graduate School of Health at the University of Technology, Sydney.