Guild Welcomes Galbally Appointment

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has welcomed the appointment of Dr Rhonda Galbally AO as transitional Chief Executive Officer of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency.

The National President of the Guild, Kos Sclavos, said: “Dr Galbally is an eminent Australian who is ideally qualified to steer this important new body as it develops its role in delivering the Federal Government’s aim of keeping people healthy and out of hospital.”

Dr Galbally is well-regarded by community pharmacists, having conducted the milestone Galbally Review of Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Legislation, published in 2001. The Galbally Review process, following the initial report, has twice confirmed the desirability of maintaining

Australia’s unique over-the counter medicine scheduling system.

The existence of the two over-the-counter schedules (Pharmacy Medicines S2 and Pharmacist Only Medicines S3) alleviates pressure on Medicare and other services, as well as providing increased access and convenience for patients needing these medicines.

“The Guild is confident Dr Galbally’s significant knowledge of the schedules, and their role in facilitating primary and preventive health care, will contribute to her ability to guide the new agency. Community pharmacists stand ready to add further value to our health system through an enhanced role in preventive health care,” Mr Sclavos said.

Dr Galbally has also had extensive involvement with community pharmacy through the national Join In Join Up program conducted by the Our Community organisation, of which she was CEO.

Welcomes Galbally Appointment