Vision
To promote the pharmacy profession to the community and students, as well as promoting NAPSA to the wider professional community, members and public, whilst fulfilling the social responsibility of pharmacy students to the Australian community.
Introduction
NAPSA works through the Pharmacy Awareness Committee to run promotional campaigns nationwide that all NAPSA members can participate in, creation of the NAPSA Conference Calendar, as well as promoting the views and activities of pharmacy students and NAPSA to the pharmacy industry through representation at national pharmaceutical conferences and symposiums.
The pharmacy profession plays an integral role in primary health care, the provision of health information and involvement the overall health care and quality of life of the Australian community. Pharmacy Awareness encourages all pharmacy students and branches to work together to promote their future profession by advocating the benefits of pharmacy and the services it offers to the community, as well as actively contributing to improving the health of the Australian public.
Pharmacy Week
One of the Pharmacy Awareness Committee’s major annual campaigns is Pharmacy Week, where NAPSA members promote the pharmacy profession to the public, and to pharmacy students themselves on a national level.
Pharmacy Awareness week is held in May each year. The campaign sees pharmacy students from all 14 NAPSA branches throughout Australia setting up stands in local shopping centres and public areas to promote pharmacy and raise awareness of the services pharmacists offer the community, as well as pharmacy’s important role in health care.
During this time, branches will also be holding a university based campaign aimed at promoting the many facets of the pharmacy profession, topical issues in the health care industry and the variety of career opportunities in pharmacy. Depending on the branch, this can be through career fairs, forums and information evenings.
NAPSA Charity Cup Campaign
The NAPSA Charity Cup is an initiative of the 2008/2009 Pharmacy Awareness committee which envisages pharmacy students across all branches raising awareness and funds for an elected charity on a national level, and thus contributing to improving the health of disadvantaged Australians through social interaction and having fun! Profits will be donated to The Fred Hollows Foundation Indigenous Program in 2009. Charity beneficiaries for future years will be voted in by successive National Councils.
Each branch is encouraged to hold an original event each April to raise funds public awareness for The Fred Hollows Foundation Indigenous Program. The event may be a university-only or public event. Some suggestions for the Charity Cup event(s) include a barbeque, a keg night, trivia night, cocktail party, or auction.
NAPSA Charity Cup was launched at NAPSA Perth Congress in January 2009. Following its inauguration, two branch awards will be presented annually at successive NAPSA AGMs:
- NAPSA Charity Cup – to be awarded to the most successful branch, based the amount of money raised
- NAPSA Charity Innovation Award – judged on the originality of the event and branch enthusiasm
The Fred Hollows Foundation Indigenous Program, founded in 1999, works with local Indigenous organisations and communities to improve overall health and wellbeing for Indigenous people living in some of Australia’s most remote locations. Recognition of the alarming disparity between the health and well-being between Indigenous Australians and other Australians underlies the projects run by Fred Hollows, with the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians 17 years less than that of non-Indigenous Australians.
Although most of their work is undertaken in the Northern Territory, the Program is extending to other areas such as western New South Wales and Western Australia. The Foundation focuses on supporting Aboriginal-controlled organisations and health services, working collaboratively with the local communities on projects tackling issues such as nutrition, literacy, eye health, women’s health and workforce training, thus tackling the social determinants of poor health. All of these projects aim to achieve a greater health outcome for Indigenous Australians. For more information, please visit: http://www.hollows.org/Australia
