Advancing Pharmacist Roles in Aged Care: Findings from a National Stakeholder Forum

Ensuring safe use of medicines is a significant challenge in Australia’s aged-care sector. Pharmacists can play an essential role in optimising medication practices, yet their integration into these settings requires deliberate design and coordination. To present the outcomes of a national stakeholder forum in Australia that explored strategies for embedding pharmacists into aged care to strengthen medication safety for older residents. In July 2023, a stakeholder forum brought together 73 pharmacists alongside general practitioners (n = 5), geriatricians (n = 3), industry representatives (n = 3), researchers (n = 3), a student pharmacist, and a nurse. Participants worked across four groups addressing: medicines management, pharmacist education and training, role definition, and development of a community of practice. The study was approved by the University of Western Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 36895) and conducted in line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, who were free to withdraw at any stage; none chose to do so. The medicines management group emphasised the need for system-level reforms, improved facility resources and staff capability, and stronger collaboration across the health system. The training group recommended a workplace-based learning model that emphasised communication, geriatric pharmacotherapy, and medication review, supported through mentorship, workshops, and peer learning. The role definition group outlined key responsibilities for pharmacists in aged care, including medication reviews, deprescribing, reducing errors, and contributing to care planning, with credentialing regarded as a prerequisite. The community of practice group proposed an ongoing collaborative network for sharing knowledge, supporting professional growth, and building workforce capacity through online forums, case-based learning, and resource development. The forum identified clear directions for embedding pharmacists into aged-care services in Australia. Implementing these strategies could lead to safer medication use and improved health outcomes for aged-care residents.

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