Held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney from September 3 to 5, Pharmacy Connect 2025 brought together some 1,800 owners, pharmacists, students, interns, pharmacy assistants, and industry representatives under the theme From Inspiration to Action.
Hosted by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA), the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to spark innovation and drive progress across the sector.
PGA National President Professor Trent Twomey opened the conference with a call to action, urging community pharmacy to embrace its evolving role in Australia’s health care system.
This year’s conference theme was more than a slogan; it was a challenge to every attendee to take the inspiration they found at the event and turn it into meaningful change in their communities.
Conference Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM echoed Professor Twomey’s sentiment for the industry to take advantage of current opportunities and act now.
“This year’s conference theme was more than a slogan; it was a challenge to every attendee to take the inspiration they found at the event and turn it into meaningful change in their communities,” Mr Sclavos said.
With a diverse program featuring more than 60 expert speakers, including leading voices in pharmacy, business, and health, delegates learnt about the future of the industry following renewed government focus on accessible and affordable health care, and the recent expansion of pharmacy scope of practice rolling out across Australia.
Program highlights included a keynote address by Australia's NSW Premier, The Hon Chris Minns, whose presence signaled the growing importance of pharmacy in public health policy.
The Premier made three major announcements:
- the aim of both the University of Newcastle and the University of Technology Sydney to offer full scope training for community pharmacists from 2026;
- a reform giving pharmacists permanent treatment authority for dermatological conditions; and
- the NSW government’s current investigation into ways to improve community access to antiviral medications to treat influenza, including through pharmacy.
During the conference it was also announced Pharmacy Connect is set to return to the Hyatt Regency Sydney from September 9 to 11, 2026, with organisers saying more details would be announced soon.
Other highlights included renowned futurist Michael McQueen, who inspired delegates to embrace innovation and resilience in their professional journeys, and Nicky Miklos’ “Hustle to Happy” session on sustainable achievement.
During the conference it was also announced Pharmacy Connect is set to return to the Hyatt Regency Sydney from September 9 to 11, 2026, with organisers saying more details would be announced soon.
For the first time, Pharmacy Connect's cocktail party was held on board the Starship Sydney, where stunning views of the Sydney skyline provided a beautiful backdrop to the announcement of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia-Maxigesic National Pharmacy Assistant of the Year (PATY) for 2025.
The PATY Award celebrates excellence in community pharmacy and the impact pharmacy assistants have on the industry. And there was plenty to celebrate for this year’s runner-up, Yasmin Elmawey from Hammondville Discount Pharmacy, NSW, and national winner Jessica Brown from Emerald Village Pharmacy in Victoria.
Pharmacy Connect also featured a trade exhibition of 70 stands, which was the networking hub of the event.
Delegates at the conference agreed the energy in the exhibition hall was second-to-none, with many saying they couldn't wait for next year's event.
