The University of Western Australia is set to offer Australia's first Doctor of Pharmacy Practice, a pioneering one-year online program designed specifically for registered pharmacists seeking to enhance their qualifications and expand their scope of practice.

The program has been developed in response to the Federal Government's November 2024 announcement that pharmacy graduates completing an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9 standard (extended) course could use the title Doctor of Pharmacy from 1 January 2025, aligning with other health professions such as medicine, physiotherapy and dentistry.

Senior lecturer at UWA's School of Allied Health and 2024 Pharmacist of the Year Dr Amy Page said the program would address a critical need in the pharmacy profession.

"Currently, pharmacists must undertake numerous separate training pathways after their initial qualification to deliver specialised services," Dr Page said.

UWA's Doctor of Pharmacy Practice creates a structured, comprehensive pathway that incorporates all of these elements into one recognised qualification."

Image: Dr Amy Page.

Dr Page said the program would prepare pharmacists to deliver medication management reviews, aged care pharmacy services, diabetes education and prescribing capabilities – skills increasingly in demand across community and clinical settings.

"Pharmacists are evolving beyond traditional dispensing roles," Dr Page said. "This qualification will equip the existing workforce with advanced skills to improve medicine safety and deliver patient-centred care, particularly for older Australians with complex medication needs."

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has strongly advocated for the development, looking to a future where all entry-to-practice qualifications are extended masters degrees known as Doctor of Pharmacy, along with 'retrofit' programs for existing practitioners.

UWA's program will utilise existing units to create a coursework degree that can be completed entirely online, making it accessible to practicing pharmacists nationwide.

"This is about recognising the expanding role pharmacists play in our healthcare system," Dr Page said.

"Pharmacists are increasingly working collaboratively with doctors in general practice, aged care and community settings to optimise medication management and improve patient outcomes."

Dr Page said UWA expected strong demand for the program when it launched, as it would provide pharmacists with a clear pathway to advance their careers and expand their service offerings.