By Abbey Cannan
Two local pharmacists from LiveLife Pharmacy are being celebrated for always going the extra mile to help their patients and the community.
Jacqueline Meyer, from LiveLife Pharmacy Cooroy, won the 2023 PSA Queensland Pharmacist of the Year Award, presented in Brisbane.
While Noosa Junction pharmacist Jason Sammut was awarded the APA Most Outstanding Community Pharmacist in Australia 2023 Award at Melbourne’s Sofitel Hotel.
They spent years studying to reach their goals of working in the medicine field, and now they both continue to grow their expertise and provide genuine care, while forming bonds with their patients through a range of services.
As a female business owner and mother, Jacqueline lives and breathes the values of the pharmacy profession and has been passionate about mentoring young pharmacists for many years.
“I always had a desire to want to help people and wanted to be in a profession that allowed me to do so,“ Jacquie said.
“I grew up in a great community in rural Victoria, so from a young age I understood the value of small communities and the close relationships that get formed.
“To become a pharmacist is a four year degree with a fifth year in practice before you can get registered, so it’s quite a lengthy time of study, but a very rewarding career in the end.“
Jacquie is in full support of a pilot being expanded Queensland-wide enabling pharmacists to administer a wider range of vaccines and prescribe medicines for common health conditions.
“I think it’s great that pharmacists are the most accessible health practitioners,“ she said.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for someone to get into their regular GP after hours and so we’re able to assist with these uncomplicated situations. We don’t want infections to go on for several days because people can’t get in to see a doctor. So we fully support that initiative.“
She is the founder and host of the Hinterland Health Expo, hosted in Cooroy and now in its second year, uniting health providers, building positive relationships, and facilitating collaborations between practitioners. With free community access, members of the public can speak to a wide range of health professionals in a relaxed environment, fostering community accessibility, improving consumer awareness and education, and demonstrating that exhibiting practitioners prioritise community healthcare.
Jacqueline also provides nurse education, antibiotic stewardship, and patient education, reinforcing the support pharmacists provide and how they are making a difference in the community.
At LiveLife Pharmacy Noosa Junction, patients are lucky to have Jason Sammut, who has been a pharmacist for 28 years and has worked in the profession both here and in England.
He’s also been recognised for going above and beyond for his local community including visiting the vulnerable, checking on the sick, elderly and the bereaved.
“It feels very humbling to receive a national award for doing my small part in caring for the local Noosa community that I love,“ Jason said.
“My older brother was a pharmacist and when I did my Year 10 work experience, I worked in a pharmacy and really enjoyed the interaction with the patients. This began my journey in healthcare.
“Pharmacy has changed a lot over the years but my primary focus regardless of the role in the places I’ve worked, is on the patients. That’s where I draw my inspiration and my drive. I really like to form firm relationships with our patients as that makes it fun and exciting.
“I am very fortunate to work with an amazing team at LiveLife Pharmacy Noosa Junction. They along with my family have played a big part in me receiving this award.”
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia personally congratulated Jason on his achievement with Guild Executive Director Suzanne Greenwood present to see him win the award.
Pharmacy Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey said that Jason displays all the attributes the Guild encourages in the pharmacy profession.
“It’s great to see Jason’s efforts being fittingly recognised and he follows in the footsteps of the most dedicated pharmacists who have previously been named ‘Most Outstanding Community Pharmacist’ by the APA.”
