Chairman’s Top 20 Highlights for APP2026
20 January 2026
Each year, APP Chairman Kos Sclavos AM shares his personal program highlights – a tough task given the exceptional calibre of sessions and speakers. Below are Kos’s Top 20 picks for 2026, listed in order of date and time.
NB: With frequent announcements across Commonwealth, State and Territory governments regarding pharmacists practising at full scope, additional sessions may emerge as must-attend. Stay tuned for updates!
1. Pharmacy Owners Masterclass: Blueprint to success | Wednesday PM
For pharmacy owners, this session offers a fresh perspective on reviewing your pharmacy’s business performance. For aspiring pharmacy owners, it’s an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills. Join pharmacy sector experts for an immersive workshop that delivers a comprehensive 360-degree view of pharmacy ownership and management.
2. Opening plenary: Celebrating progress and shaping the future | Thursday AM
Start the conference with a powerful opening session reflecting on community pharmacy’s achievements and challenges, and an anticipated keynote address from the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing. Witness the new, expanded National Pharmacy Awards program, which now encompasses Pharmacist of the Year and Pharmacy Student of the Year, alongside the traditional Pharmacy of the Year recognition.
3. European community pharmacy: Innovations and lessons for Australia | Thursday AM
Discover how Europe is shaping the future of community pharmacy with international guest speaker Clare Fitzell, Past President of the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union and Secretary General of the Irish Pharmacy Union. Clare will highlight the pharmacy services and innovations that are successfully futureproofing community pharmacy across Europe.
4. Panel session: Strengthening community pharmacy’s role in primary care | Thursday AM
This dynamic panel discussion will explore how community pharmacy can play a stronger role in primary care through the delivery of clinical services and innovative programs such as screening and diagnostic testing. The session will feature insights from international guest speaker and President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, Tom Murray, alongside leading voices from the Australian pharmacy sector.
5. Alan Russell Oration: Resilience for life – turning tragedy into purpose | Thursday PM
Nearly 30 years ago, the Port Arthur Massacre changed Australia, and Walter Mikac’s life, forever. Walter returns to APP in 2026 to share his powerful story of resilience, hope, and purpose, and how he transformed unimaginable loss into a legacy of national advocacy and healing. Given the recent Bondi shootings of December 2025, Walter’s story of hope and healing is now more relevant than ever. Walter will explore how adversity can be a catalyst for change, and how compassion and courage can shape a better future.
6. Enhancing medicines safety and pharmacist scope through AI and comprehensive patient histories | Thursday PM
With prescribing rights expanding and scope of practice evolving, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead improvements in medication safety and deliver more accessible, patient-centred care. Realising this potential requires a leap forward in pharmacy technology. Integrated, cloud-based systems, real-time access to comprehensive patient medicine histories, and the power of AI are reshaping how pharmacists work. These innovations streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and empower pharmacists to focus on clinical decision-making and optimising patient outcomes. Presented by pharmacist and pharmacy IT pioneer, Paul Naismith, this session will explore the latest digital tools driving this change.
7. Five pillars of wellbeing: Maintaining balance in pharmacy | Thursday PM
Workplace wellbeing guru, Jay Pottenger will present this interactive session on how to use the Five Pillars of Wellbeing to manage mental health and overall wellness. Tailored specifically for pharmacists, Jay will share real-world examples and tangible solutions for getting the most out of your day and career, while maintaining balance across personal and professional objectives.
8. Leading growth, winning competitively, shaping the future of care | Thursday PM
Pharmacy’s scope of practice is expanding, and with it comes the opportunity to drive business growth and stand apart competitively. This session will provide stories from pharmacists already embracing these opportunities by lifting script volumes, attracting new patients, expanding services, and energising their teams. Find out how being prepared early creates a powerful head start, and why readiness is key to seizing the opportunities of an evolving profession.
9. Guild member (Proprietor) only breakfast: Industry update | Friday AM
Reserved for Guild member proprietors, this exclusive breakfast session offers a confidential setting to hear the latest updates on key industry developments. Guild National President, Professor Trent Twomey, will provide insights into current national and state-based pharmacy initiatives, regulatory changes, and strategic priorities shaping the future of community pharmacy. The breakfast will conclude with an interactive Q&A, giving members the chance to raise questions, share perspectives, and engage directly with Guild leadership.
10. The Panel: State of the Industry | Friday AM
One of my favourite sessions, always. Hear from leaders of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Westpac, Patients Australia, Consumer Healthcare Products Australia, Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association, and National Pharmaceutical Services Association. How do they view the pharmacy sector? What are they seeking, in terms of government commitments? Where does pharmacy and pharmaceuticals sit in the political landscape?
11. How AI is changing work and business forever | Friday AM
Join AI expert, Adam Spencer, as he unpacks the AI revolution led by ChatGPT, breaking down how it works and what it means for business, education, and beyond. Starting with the absolute basics through to the most recent product and platform releases, Adam will bring you up to speed with these incredible disruptive technologies. Don’t put AI in the too hard basket – let Adam show how to make AI work for you today and carry your business into tomorrow.
12. Community pharmacy in Ireland: Lessons for Australia | Friday AM
Join international guest speaker Tom Murray, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union and Treasurer of the World Pharmacy Council, as he shares a comprehensive update on the evolving landscape of community pharmacy in Ireland. In this session, Tom will explore key developments including dispensary remuneration models, government-funded professional services, and the expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice. Gain valuable insights into how Ireland is advancing pharmacy practice and what lessons can be applied to Australia.
13. Strength in unity: Building safer futures together | Friday AM
Domestic and family violence remains one of Australia’s most urgent and deeply human social challenges, and pharmacists are uniquely placed to make a real difference. In this session, RizeUp Founder and CEO, Nicolle Edwards will share the lived realities behind the statistics and the pivotal moments where a single act of community support can alter the course of someone’s life. Drawing on more than a decade on the frontline, she will offer practical, safe and trauma informed ways pharmacy teams can recognise signs of abuse, respond with confidence and compassion, and support those seeking safety. This session is an invitation to understand the role we can all play, to approach every interaction with care, and to help families rebuild with dignity, stability and hope.
14. Rewriting the script: The evolved role of pharmacy | Friday PM
Pharmacy is evolving rapidly. This is not a change to fear but rather a unique opportunity to deliver greater patient impact which should be embraced. By adopting expanded scope of practice services, pharmacies are well positioned to strengthen their role at the centre of patient care. This session will share how services can be seamlessly integrated into your daily workflows. Also, get an exclusive look at some of the AI enabled functionality coming to your pharmacy soon.
15. From QCPP to Quality and Safety: The next chapter | Friday PM
It is hard to believe it was at APP1996 that I stood on stage imploring the pharmacy profession to develop and control their own pharmacy standards. 30 years later, big changes are coming to QCPP with the accreditation against AS 85000:2024 under the newly titled Quality & Safety Pharmacy Program, marking an evolution of QCPP. This session will explain what has changed, why the changes matter, and what your pharmacy needs to do between now and the 1 October 2026 transition. Hear directly from the Guild, EY and sector experts about the new four domain model, the shift to a three-year cycle with mid-cycle review, clinical governance expectations, and the resources available through the updated Knowledge Hub.
16. Panel session: Full scope | Saturday AM
Practising at full scope presents an exciting and continually evolving landscape for pharmacists. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s advocacy has been instrumental in driving this progress. This panel will explore the latest developments and share practical insights on the key steps pharmacists should take to implement full scope of practice effectively.
17. Ann Dalton Address: Just another hurdle | Saturday AM
Join celebrated athlete, Jana Pittman as she shares her remarkable journey spanning the realms of sport, medicine and personal triumph. From overcoming adversity and embracing resilience to persistence, goal setting and the pursuit of excellence, Jana’s engaging storytelling and insightful perspectives on personal development will inspire you to pursue your goals with determination.
18. Empowering pharmacists to drive vaccine uptake through conversation | Saturday AM
Conversations don’t just drive vaccination – they can drive pharmacy success. In this session, Australia’s National Vaccination Ambassador and a leading conversational psychologist will show you how to confidently engage patients with one-liners and prompts that normalize vaccination and co-administration.
19. Cultural engagement forum: Creating cultural connections | Saturday PM
Community pharmacy’s commitment to practising in ways that listen to, include, and respect all cultures, identities, and lived experiences. Every pharmacist, patient, and community contributes to shaping a more equitable health system — one grounded in cultural safety, connection, and care for Country and community. This forum will share lived experience stories that have deepened the understanding of the importance of cultural safety in healthcare.
20. Cracking the code of customer conversation | Saturday PM
How well do we really know our customers? This session dives into the everyday interactions that shape customer relationships. Learn how to ask meaningful questions, read subtle body language cues, and transform routine chats into powerful rapport-building moments. Join renowned sales expert Chris Helder as he introduces the FORD technique—a practical framework to help you build trust quickly and make every conversation truly count.
Remember to check the program on a regular basis, or sign up to our APP eNews, as the program is subject to change and will be updated in the lead up to APP2026.
Check out the full APP2026 program here.
APP2026 is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
