National Pharmacy Awards - Queensland Winners
Queensland’s award winners were recognised at a special ceremony at Brisbane’s Parliament House in October 2025.
Queensland Branch President Chris Owen praised the winners for their innovation and compassion in caring for their communities.
“They’re not just dispensing medicines; they’re delivering frontline healthcare, mentoring the next generation, and redefining what it means to be a pharmacist in today’s health system.”
Community Pharmacy of the Year
Protecting public health is at the heart of this year’s Queensland Community Pharmacy of the Year. TerryWhite Chemmart Cairns Central, in the state’s far north, was ranked among the top five pharmacies for administering coronavirus vaccinations during the pandemic.
Qld Pharmacy of Year winner Ali Elfiky
Shingles, whooping cough and influenza vaccination campaigns have also been a major focus.
Managing partner and overseas‑trained pharmacist Ali Elfiky said he was humbled by the award, which recognises the pharmacist-led care his team provides to the local area.
“It made me proud to see how far our pharmacy has grown, from a traditional dispensary to a true healthcare destination for Cairns, where patients have easy access to a pharmacist,” Ali said.
Having trained in Egypt before relocating to Australia in 2018, Ali completed his prescriber course last year. The pharmacy then embraced the Queensland Scope of Practice Pilot, launching a prescribing service to reduce GP wait times.
Since March, the pharmacy has conducted 300 consultations for conditions such as otitis externa, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, hormonal contraception and UTIs.
“My passion is public health and improving community awareness,” he said. “I strongly believe that pharmacies are at the frontline of preventative healthcare, and we can change lives by improving health literacy.”
Ali added that winning the award would not have been possible without the hard work of his staff, who go above and beyond to make a difference for patients.
Community pharmacist of the year
Pharmacy owner and trained prescriber Molly McGuire never set out to be an industry innovator. Driven by her passion to stop patients falling through the gaps in healthcare, she has revolutionised many facets of pharmacy.
“Winning the award is humbling, but it doesn’t change what I do or why I do it,” Molly said. “It is a simple reminder that small, consistent acts of care make a big difference.”
The mother of two sons — one with a rare disability — introduced Cerge, a communication platform improving the pharmacy experience for people living with a disability, at her TerryWhite Chemmart Wilsonton pharmacy in Toowoomba.
“The platform allows people living with a disability to give us feedback on what they need from us in store to feel safe, before they arrive.
“My initiatives are driven by the same belief: care should be accessible, safe, and free from barriers for every person in our community.”
She serves on several community health boards and is co-founder of the Darling Downs Pharmacist Network, as well as the charity event It’s Cool to Talk Grief, which supports the Toowoomba Hospice.
QLD Pharmacist of Year Molly McGuire
One of her biggest career achievements is becoming a pharmacist prescriber.
“I’m currently reshaping the way I run my business, so I can spend more time consulting and less time behind the counter. That shift allows me to use my clinical knowledge more meaningfully and connect with patients in a way that truly changes outcomes.”
Student Pharmacist of the Year
Queensland Student Pharmacist of the Year Abbey Marshall hopes to one day own a rural pharmacy to combine her love of community and country.
“I am very interested in areas such as rural and remote health, Indigenous health and sexual health,” Abbey said. “I can’t wait to be a familiar face for the community, getting to know the locals better and provide them with better care.”
In 2025, she graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) at James Cook University. She is completing her internship at United Chemists NorthShore in Townsville, where she has worked since her third year at university.
Despite being in the early stages of her career, Abbey has made it her mission to help patients struggling to access health and social services. Placements in isolated towns such as Alice Springs and Thursday Island have opened her eyes to the health inequities experienced by marginalised groups.
“Sometimes, one size does not fit all, especially when it comes to delivering health services with a limited workforce.
QLD Student Pharmacist of Year Abbey Marshall
“I hope that with the extra training available and full scope of practice, pharmacists are able to deliver more services on a universal scale, and be brave enough to advocate for their own changes and what they believe in.”
Abbey has held numerous leadership roles, including Rural and Indigenous (RANDI) Chair of the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association, Rural Youth Ambassador for the Northern Territory Rural Inspire Program, and President of the JCU Pharmacy Student Association, all while juggling work and study.
“Winning this award really means a lot because I know all the hard work and extra activities have been recognised.
“Pharmacy to me is not just a job, it is a career that I can take anywhere and hopefully one day make a positive change.”
