Paul Sinclair, the first Australian president of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) sat down with AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh to talk about the pharmacy workforce, challenges like antimicrobial resistance and how best to use AI in health care.

There are many positives boosting the sector right now, Sinclair said, including how the pandemic improved pharmacy’s visibility and moves towards full scope of practice.

When McMaugh asked Sinclair whether he saw elements of the Australian model – such as expanded scope under the Community Pharmacy Agreement – being eyed by other countries, he replied, “Absolutely”.

“As recently as two months ago, the Irish government signed a pharmacy agreement with the Irish Pharmacy Union on behalf of Irish pharmacy to give certainty of remuneration for dispensing and provision of professional services,” Sinclair said.

“That very much is in line with the community pharmacy agreements that we have had so successfully implemented here in Australia.

“In fact, the PBS, as it operates in Australia, is regarded as the best model for a public private partnership to provide pharmaceutical benefits to the population.

“We see across the globe, services such as medication reviews, medication management services, webster packing, pharmacist delivered vaccination, and minor ailment schemes being delivered and funded through community pharmacy.

“This is now happening through all of the major developed pharmacy marketplaces, and we are seeing also in FIP’s role, the advocacy of an increased role for pharmacists in emerging pharmacy markets as well in low to middle income countries.”

Sinclair said that Australia is “very fortunate” to have a public-private partnership with the government, instead of a fully managed healthcare system as seen in the USA.

There, he said, “the payer, normally an insurance company, is focused only on cost rather than health outcomes”.

“So the model we have is acknowledged as being world-class, and we are seeing across particularly developed marketplaces where the payer tends to be the government rather than insurance company, models like the community pharmacy agreement being advocated for and being implemented.”

01:03 – “At the moment, the depressing issue is certainly workforce shortages.”

03:43 – The positive outcomes of Covid

05:15 – AMR: a major issue

07:33 – The beauty of the Australian pharmacy practice model

09:20 – FIP’s Global Observatory data

11:26 – “AI is the two letters on everyone’s lips at the moment.”

13:31 – “FIP’s work is centred on creating positive practise environments, safe staffing, fair scheduling, career development, recognition, including mental health support, anti-harassment policies, and psychologically safe spaces.”

15:36 – Integrating pharmacy into diverse global settings

17:08 – Barriers to scope: “It is definitely legislative.”

18:43 – Equity in medicines access and digital health

23:36 – Financial recognition for professional services

25:10 – “The total reliance on the supply model will not sustain our industry going forward.”

31:03 – Advice for young pharmacists

33:11 – FIP’s development goals

34:37 – Hopes for FIP achievement in 2026

37:42 – A legacy for FIP

39:23 – A look back at a “huge” 2025

42:15 – War, conflict and pharmacy – as well as scope and recognition

44:15 – A thank you to 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.

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