Tue 26 August 2025
Patient safety on the line as AdPha backs NT hospital pharmacists and technicians
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) stands with hospital pharmacists and technicians taking protected industrial action today in the NT
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) says workforce shortages are putting patient care at risk in the Northern Territory and must be urgently addressed.
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) supports the many hospital pharmacists and technicians taking action in the Northern Territory from today, fighting for improved workforce conditions and allowances to ensure patient safety.
AdPha says future care delivery to Territorians is under threat without better incentives to support a remote pharmacy workforce, improved retention payments, and competitive salary increases embedded in a new EBA.
Last month, AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels was flanked by NT AdPha members and met with Minister Edgington to advocate for flexibility in hiring for remote workforces, as well as implementing competitive and meaningful retention and recruitment incentives.
AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says hospital pharmacy workforce shortages are real and that patients will be the ones who suffer if governments fail to act.
‘Hospital pharmacists and technicians are at the frontline caring for patients at their most unwell — ensuring medicines are used safely, supporting doctors and nurses, and driving medication safety systems that every Territorian relies on.
‘Without them, hospitals would simply not function. Yet their expanded role and impact on patient care continue to be undervalued.
‘In the Northern Territory, we are seeing clinical pharmacy staffing sitting at just 40% of national standards. Specialised areas such as maternity and palliative care wards and high-acuity emergency department wards are especially feeling the strain, putting patient care and safety at risk.
‘The scope of hospital pharmacy has also grown dramatically with more complex patients, new therapies, and digital health systems such as e-prescribing. Every patient’s journey is safer and more efficient because of hospital pharmacists and technicians. Governments must step up now to secure this workforce for the future.
‘It’s time they are recognised and rewarded for the critical work they do - not only to keep pharmacy operating in the NT, but to ensure more pharmacists and technicians are able to care for Territorians when they need them the most.’
Mr Simpson calls on Minister Edgington and the NT Government to work with Professional Pharmacists Australia on a new path forward that will better support the capacity of the hospital pharmacy workforce to deliver care safely and efficiently.
'This is a turning point. The NT Government must step up to properly support hospital pharmacists and technicians — because the safety of Territorians depends on it.’