Queensland Premier, Hon David Crisafulli MP, kicks off APP with a bang!

MEDIA RELEASE
13 March 2026

APP2026 is off to a great start with Queensland’s Premier Hon David Crisafulli MP delivering the first key-note speech to delegates at the Australasian Pharmacy Professional Conference and Trade Exhibition (APP2026).

The Premier’s speech reflected on some of the advances made in community pharmacy, outlined a broader scope of practice, and promised to work closely with community pharmacists to ensure Queenslanders will continue to have greater access to frontline healthcare services.

Conference Chairman, Kos Sclavos AM, said the Premier’s speech was a fantastic way to kick off APP2026.

“The Premier’s speech underlined how far community pharmacy has come in becoming the first choice for so many Queenslanders when it comes to accessing front-line healthcare,” said Mr. Sclavos.

“In particular, the Premier’s commitment that Queenslanders would continue to access care and treatment for chronic health conditions through community pharmacy through to 2027, instead of June 2026, is a real indication of the trust government has in community pharmacy to deliver these services,” Mr. Sclavos said.

Mr. Sclavos also said the Premier’s commitment to work with the Pharmacy Guild to close loopholes that would otherwise allow big corporates to threaten the community pharmacy model was a breath of fresh air.

“We’ve already seen what the big supermarket chains have done to our local grocery stores. It’s wonderful to hear the Premier give his commitment to ensure the community pharmacy model will not be threatened in the same way,” said Mr. Sclavos.

“In many places across Queensland, community pharmacy is the only option for front-line health services. A move to the corporate Americanisation model of pharmacy being proposed by the big players would rip the heart out of these communities,” Mr. Sclavos said.

“The Premier’s promise to do everything he can to ensure community pharmacies remain viable and to ensure we can practice to every square inch of our competency was also a welcome message. We look forward to partnering with him to deliver on this.”

APP2026 is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast.