OncologyPharmaceutical Society of Australia Welcomes New Health Portfolio
The announcement of the establishment of a new Indigenous Health, Rural and
Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery portfolio has been welcomed by the
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
President of the PSA, Warwick Plunkett, said the establishment of the new portfolio was
recognition of the unique and challenging issues faced by indigenous health consumers
as well as those living in non-urban areas of Australia.
"Often people living in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia face enormous
difficulties when it comes to their health-care needs," Mr Plunkett said.
"In addition, indigenous health has its own unique challenges which the establishment of
this portfolio will go a long way towards addressing.
"The PSA, as the organisation that represents the professional interests of pharmacists
across the nation, is well aware of these difficulties and has long advocated policies and
programs to help address them.
"The establishment the Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional
Services Delivery portfolio gives the Government and health-care professionals in
Australia a vehicle from which to work to improve the health needs and outcomes of
indigenous Australians and those living in non-urban areas."
Mr Plunkett said the appointment of Mr Warren Snowdon as Minister for Indigenous
Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery underscored the
importance of the portfolio.
"Mr Snowdon is a widely experienced politician and as a member for a rural area has
first-hand knowledge and experience of some of the issues and difficulties faced by
consumers in these areas," Mr Plunkett said.
"On behalf of the PSA, I congratulate Mr Snowdon on his appointment and look forward
to working closely with him and his new department to help achieve the outcomes that
people in these areas so demonstrably need."
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia