APC Supports ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’ Recognition

The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) welcomes the announcement by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, confirming that graduates of AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) programs in Pharmacy will be entitled to use the designation ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’ from 1 January 2025.

This move aligns pharmacy graduates with professionals in other healthcare fields such as physiotherapy, optometry, and dentistry, who already hold similar recognition.

APC’s Position

APC Chair, Prof. Sarah Roberts-Thomson, acknowledged the importance of this recognition:

"This change corrects an inconsistency that prevented Masters (Extended) graduates in pharmacy from receiving the same recognition as other health professionals."

The APC remains dedicated to ensuring accredited pharmacy programs align with national standards, fostering excellence in education and professional practice.