Fri 28 November 2025
‘Inspiring national change’: Michael Barras wins Fred J Boyd award
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has announced Professor Michael Barras FAdPha FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt, Research) as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Fred J Boyd Award, recognising his extraordinary leadership, research excellence and lasting contribution to hospital pharmacy practice in Australia.
Prof. Barras is Director of Pharmacy at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Professor of Clinical Research at the University of Queensland. A driving force in advancing medicines safety across the health system, he is widely regarded for his leadership in medication safety research, safe systems design, research-driven practice, and advanced workforce development.
Presenting the award at this morning’s opening plenary at AdPha’s Medicines Management 2025 (MM2025) in Melbourne, AdPha President Assoc. Prof Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) paid tribute to Professor Barras’ profound impact on the profession and patient care.
‘Michael Barras represents the very best of what advanced pharmacy looks like in practice.
‘His commitment to medicine safety has been unwavering, with his work consistently centred on improving the safety, quality and reliability of medication use for patients. As Michael himself describes his first passion, it is the “pursuit of safer, smarter and value-based care”.
‘While he has been at the forefront of Australia’s digital healthcare revolution, he has always shown that technology must serve safety: implemented thoughtfully, supported by evidence, and used to create safer environments for patients and clinicians.
‘It’s no exaggeration to say his work has elevated both the capabilities of the profession and the expectations of the health system, with patients benefiting most.
‘The Fred J Boyd Award exists to honour those whose influence endures far beyond their own workplace. Michael’s legacy is already woven into the fabric of hospital pharmacy across Australia.’
Over his distinguished career, Prof. Barras has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed papers — including over 50 in the last five years — and delivered more than 30 major conference presentations.
In his letter of recommendation, AdPha Director Paul Firman FAdPha FANZCAP (Generalist), Assistant Director of Pharmacy at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, highlighted Michael’s impact on professional development as his most enduring legacy.
‘Under his leadership, the Princess Alexandra Hospital pharmacy department has become a centre of excellence for pharmacy education, offering structured internship and AdPha Residency Training Programs that serve as models for other institutions Australia-wide.
‘His pioneering work in establishing Queensland's first hospital pharmacist position in operating theatres exemplifies his innovative approach to expanding pharmacy practice. This breakthrough has catalysed the national expansion of pharmacist roles in surgical settings, demonstrating how local innovation under skilled leadership can drive profession-wide advancement.’
AdPha congratulates Prof. Barras on this prestigious honour and acknowledges his multifaceted contributions to advancing pharmacy practice in Australia, as a leader, mentor, practitioner, educator and researcher.
Pictured: Prof Michael Barras accepting the 2025 Fred J Boyd award from AdPha President Assoc. Prof Tom Simpson at opening plenary session of MM2025.