Fri 29 May 2026
New AdPha platform puts mentoring and human connection at the heart of pharmacy
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has today officially launched AdPha Connect, a member-built mentoring and networking platform designed to help pharmacy professionals build meaningful one-to-one connections with people who understand their experiences, aspirations and challenges.
Created exclusively for AdPha members – an initiative of the Rural and Remote Leadership Committee and informed by the Vic Branch ECP Mentoring Pilot – AdPha Connect represents a new era of digital-led professional networking, bringing together pharmacists, technicians, interns, students, researchers and academics in a secure digital space designed specifically for the profession.
Built around the belief that pharmacy professionals are more than just their job titles, AdPha Connect enables members to create rich and customised personal profiles, connect with peers across Australia, flag their mentoring intent and availability and build relationships that support professional and personal growth.
The idea behind AdPha Connect recognised the power of initial introductions, which have become more challenging amid saturated online spaces, phishing emails, spam calls and difficulty gathering in-person as virtual meetings dominate.
Members of AdPha’s Rural and Remote Leadership Committee, who co-designed AdPha Connect, also strongly advocated for more meaningful ways to connect professionals across the country - particularly those working in isolated settings.
Cristen Fleming - Member of the AdPha Rural and Remote Leadership Committee and who originally raised the concept - said meaningful connection had always been at the heart of professional growth.
‘Mentoring to me is something really simple. It's about human connections, community support and simply having great conversations.
‘It's those conversations that give you energy and enthusiasm, introduce new perspectives and help you realise there are people who have walked similar paths - whether that's career pivots, professional growth or major life transitions.
‘We spend so much time focused on roles and achievements, but we're all more than our jobs. The ability to connect with people as humans, not just professionals, is what makes relationships meaningful - and that's what AdPha Connect is designed to enable.’
Through personalised profiles, advanced search functionality and mentoring ‘flags’, AdPha Connect helps members discover people who genuinely resonate with their interests, experiences and goals.
AdPha President Assoc. Prof Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) said the platform reflected the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting all pharmacy professionals throughout every stage of their careers, as practice evolves.
‘AdPha Connect has been designed by the profession, for the profession. It has also been designed for the future, to facilitate the mentoring requirements of emerging pharmacist prescribing frameworks, ensuring AdPha members have a headstart meeting associated safety and qualification requirements.
‘While pharmacy can be an incredibly rewarding profession, for many it can also be very isolating. This is especially true for professionals working remotely, changing career pathways or seeking guidance beyond their immediate workplace.
‘This platform creates opportunities for meaningful relationships that can support careers, build confidence and strengthen our profession, no matter where you practice or what stage you’re at in your pharmacy journey.
‘Sometimes one conversation, one mentor or one connection can make all the difference.’
AdPha Connect is now freely available to all current AdPha members as part of their existing membership benefits.