Pharmacy Connect 2026 Convenor’s top 10 must-attend sessions

By Kos Sclavos AM, Pharmacy Connect Conference Convenor

20 May 2026

As Pharmacy Connect Committee Chairman, each year I’m asked to share my top program highlights for pharmacists and pharmacy business owners– a difficult task given the calibre of sessions and speakers.

Pharmacy Connect is designed for pharmacists who understand that care extends beyond the dispensary. The program equips them to expand their clinical services, while maintaining the highest standards of care.

At Pharmacy Connect 2026 you will get up-to-date insights on pharmacy full scope of practice and the health priorities of the Albanese Government, and meaningful networking opportunities in a focused, highly engaged environment. This two-and-a-half-day program includes pre-conference workshops, an expanded 90-stand trade exhibition, Welcome Reception, and dedicated Pharmacy Assistant Stream.

The conversations that change how you practice start here.

Below are my top 10 picks for Pharmacy Connect 2026, in order of their programmed date and time:

1) Pre-Conference Workshop 2: Quality & Safety Pharmacy Program
Wednesday 9 September, 9.30am – 1.00pm

This workshop comes ahead of a big change for community pharmacy accreditation. Pharmacies now deliver vaccinations, conduct medicine checks, and support the management of acute and chronic conditions. This evolution in practice requires stronger governance and operational frameworks to ensure safe, high-quality care. In response to this shift, the Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP) is transitioning to the Quality and Safety Pharmacy Program (QSPP). Attending this session will help you understand how the transition will not only affect you, but pharmacy business practice more broadly. The change takes effect on 1 October 2026, so make sure least one of your team attends!

2) Pre-Conference Workshop 6: Compliance, complaints and consequences – navigating regulation and your responsibilities in NSW
Wednesday 9 September, 2.00pm – 5.30pm

I may have some bias, but this is my pick of the four workshops on Wednesday afternoon. Following strong support and recent announcements from the Minns Government, pharmacists in NSW now have more opportunities to expand their scope in Women’s Health. This workshop includes a NSW-specific legislative update, insights from a full scope pharmacist, information on training pathways and requirements, key learnings on business planning for full scope, how to market your professional services, and an interactive Q&A.

3) Guild Member Only Breakfast
Thursday 10 September, 7.00am – 8.15am

An exclusive must-attend session for every Guild member, this member-only session will update attendees on The Guild’s short and medium term strategy, plus provide a first look at early analysis of The Guild’s Member Census. This data will offer learnings for workforce needs, help identify emerging opportunities, and inform operational insights.

4) Great moments in critical thinking in pharmacy
Thursday 10 September, 8.40am – 9.25am

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM is one of my favourite presenters. In his engaging and thought-provoking keynote, Dr Karl will explore the pivotal role of critical thinking in pharmacy. Drawing on memorable moments from science, medicine, and everyday life, Dr Karl will explore the question “how do we know what we know – and how do we avoid getting it wrong?”.

5) Panel Session: Industry Update
Thursday 10 September, 9.25am – 10.10am

This is always a delegate favourite. In this fast-paced panel session, you’ll hear from experts about what’s shaping the profession, and what pharmacists need to be paying attention to. Facilitated by Daniel Kicuroski, NSW Guild Branch Director, the discussion will explore a mix of global trends and uniquely Australian challenges. This year’s panel includes international speaker Dr Kristen Riddle (President, National Community Pharmacists Association in the US), Lisa Robins (CEO, Patients Australia), and The Guild’s own Mario Barone, (NSW Guild Branch President) and Professor Trent Twomey (Guild National President).

6) Community pharmacy and the expanded role in Women’s Health
Thursday 10 September, 10.10am – 10.55am

From January 2027, a new Commonwealth Government pharmacy trial will enable concession card holders to access more affordable contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs prescribed by appropriately trained pharmacists, outside the PBS. Beyond this pilot, there are significant opportunities for community pharmacy to further support women’s health across multiple medicine schedules and service categories. This key session will provide a practical framework to help pharmacies not just prepare for the pilot but confidently embrace their growing role.

7) Fish where the fish are
Thursday 10 September, 11.25am – 12.10pm

The average pharmacy in Australia dispenses to just over 8,000 unique patients per year. And yet many pharmacies don’t really differentiate how they support high volume prescription patients. With full scope of practice expanding what pharmacists can do, it’s more important than ever to support your pharmacy operations and business goals using data-backed insights. This session will showcase how to find the right patients, deepen loyalty, close adherence gaps, and lead in the therapeutic areas that are being completely rewritten.

8) Burn out and resilience: Burn bright, not out
Thursday 10 September, 4.50pm – 5.35pm

Research shows more than half of pharmacists experience burnout. This session with Kim Bessell, Human Performance and Mindset Coach, will equip pharmacists with realistic strategies that fit into busy, high-pressure environments. Attendees will learn how to build sustainable resilience and improve recovery, regain clarity and control under pressure, and maintain energy, motivation and focus over the long term. The Pharmacy Connect 2026 program is designed to offer pharmacy professionals what they need to adopt a wider range of clinical health services, as well as maintain high standards of care. With pharmacists doing more than ever, sustainable ways of working and managing workplace demands is a crucial part of this.

9) Global policy shifts and the future of Community Pharmacy
Friday 11 September, 8.30am – 9.15am

I am excited to welcome our international speaker – Dr Kirsten Riddle, President of the National Community Pharmacists Association (US) and a terrific pharmacist. The US is at the centre of world-wide pharmaceutical policy – developments there have direct implications for Australia. Dr Riddle will offer insights into what’s happening in the US right now, and what these shifts could mean for Australian pharmacies. Dr Riddle is a passionate speaker and a great leader of the pharmacy profession. Her deep knowledge of policy makes this a must-attend session.

10) Buying and selling a pharmacy in today’s market
Friday 11 September, 9.15am – 10.00am

If the pharmacy sales market is strong, it signals high business confidence, meaning pharmacies will invest in staff and infrastructure. So even if ownership isn’t your goal, understanding pharmacy sales offers valuable insight into where the sector is heading. This session takes a practical look at the realities of buying and selling a pharmacy in Australia and will explore current market conditions, evolving buyer demand and key trends shaping valuations and deal activity. Attendees will gain clear insight into the end-to-end sales process, with a strong focus on navigating the current lending environment, financing options, and risk considerations in a higher interest rate landscape.

I look forward to seeing you at Pharmacy Connect in September. If you haven’t registered yet I urge you to book now and take advantage of the Early Bird offer.

Finally, a reminder to sign up to our e-news to receive regular program updates.

Pharmacy Connect 2026 program now available

13 May 2026

Today Pharmacy Connect Conference Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM, announced the launch of this year’s Pharmacy Connect program. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Sydney from September 9 to September 11, the conference features a three-day education program including pre-conference workshops, networking events, 90-stand trade exhibition, and a dedicated pharmacy assistant educational stream.

Mr Sclavos said that the program is designed for the whole pharmacy team, offering practical training, new skills, and the chance to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

“Pharmacy Connect offers valuable insights for every member of the pharmacy team through industry updates, clinical education, business sessions and a dedicated Pharmacy Assistant Stream,” said Mr Sclavos.

The impressive speaker line-up includes one of Australia’s most respected science communicators, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, and President of the National Community Pharmacists Association in the United States, Dr Kristen Riddle. Anticipation is already building for Dr Riddle’s session, where the US-based pharmacist will provide first‑hand insights and key learnings to protect and strengthen our Australian pharmacy sector. She will be joined by 40+ professional, business and industry speakers and clinical experts delivering content focused on the conference theme, ‘Connecting with Care’.

Mr Sclavos emphasised that this year’s theme was chosen to speak to an increasingly demanding industry and guided all aspects of program planning.

“Pharmacy professionals are doing more than ever. The program is designed to offer what they need to adopt a wider range of clinical health services, as well as maintain high standards of care,” said Mr Sclavos. “And that requires us as an industry to work strategically, to ensure all Australians have equitable access to these expanded pharmacy services.”

Uniquely placed to advise pharmacy professionals on protecting wellbeing while delivering high-quality care is Human Performance and Mindset Coach, Kim Bessell. His engaging session “Burnout and resilience: Burn bright, not out” demonstrates how sustainable change is possible, offering evidence-based approaches and realistic strategies for operating in high-pressure environments.

PDL Professional Officer, Claire Bekema, will detail what vicarious liability means in practice day-to-day. Her session will provide practical steps to strengthen systems, support teams and protect pharmacy businesses as services continue to expand.

“Community pharmacy and the expanded role in Women’s Health” is another key, future-focused session. Sponsored by Arrotex, it will offer a practical framework to help pharmacies prepare to make the most of opportunities ahead of the January 2027 government trial.  

And delegates return each year to gain insights into the next big opportunities at the Industry Update. The panel session led by National President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Professor Trent Twomey, maps out the current pharmacy landscape, with both a consumer lens and wider industry considerations.

“Pharmacy Connect offers practical insights, and meaningful networking opportunities in a focused and highly engaged environment,” Mr Sclavos said. “And booking early means you get all the value at the best price.”

Book now to take advantage of Early Bird registration offers, and receive up to $100 off full conference registration.

Pharmacist turned professional coach Kim Bessell added to Pharmacy Connect 2026 speaker lineup

MEDIA RELEASE

7 May 2026

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is pleased to announce Kim Bessell, Human Performance and Mindset Coach, will present at Pharmacy Connect 2026. With his unique blend of pharmacy leadership and high‑performance coaching, he is ideally placed to advise pharmacy professionals looking to protect their wellbeing while continuing to deliver high-quality care.

Bessell’s engaging session “Burn out and resilience: Burn bright, not out” will challenge the idea that burnout is simply part of the profession, and demonstrate how sustainable change is possible.

Pharmacy Connect Conference Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM, said Bessell’s session will provide timely and practical insights for pharmacy professionals navigating increasing workplace demands.

“Kim Bessell brings a rare combination of frontline pharmacy experience and high‑performance coaching,” Mr Sclavos said.

“At a time when pharmacy professionals are doing more than ever, his insights on enhancing performance without sacrificing wellbeing will be invaluable to delegates.”

A community pharmacist and former Australian Government Principal Pharmacist, Bessell’s career spans pharmacy ownership, wholesaling, national policy, high‑stakes negotiation and strategic planning, including direct engagement with Federal Ministers and international stakeholders. He now works with executives, elite athletes, and corporate teams.

Drawing on evidence-based approaches, his session will equip pharmacists with realistic strategies that fit into busy, high-pressure environments.

Bessell is an exciting addition to an impressive speaker lineup for Pharmacy Connect 2026. He joins President of the National Community Pharmacists Association in the United States, Dr Kristen Riddle, and one of Australia’s most respected science communicators, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM.

The three will be among 40+ professional, business and industry speakers and clinical experts delivering content focused on the conference theme, ‘Connecting with Care’. A full program will be released later this month.

Pharmacy Connect is taking place 9 September – 11 September at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. Early Bird registration, which can save attendees up to $100, is now open.

Mr Sclavos encourages pharmacy owners, pharmacists, executives, interns, students and industry partners to take advantage of Early Bird pricing and secure their place early.

“Pharmacy Connect delivers practical, relevant education and meaningful networking in a focused and highly engaged environment. And booking early means you get all the value at the best price.”

Dr Karl to speak at Pharmacy Connect 2026 

MEDIA RELEASE

23 April 2026

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is pleased to announce that Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, one of Australia’s most respected science communicators, will present at Pharmacy Connect 2026.

Renowned for his ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and entertaining way, Dr Karl’s presentation ‘Great moments in critical thinking in pharmacy,’ is set to bring a unique and engaging perspective to daily decision‑making and problem‑solving in professional pharmacy practice.

Pharmacy Connect Conference Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM, said Dr Karl’s focus on critical thinking is highly relevant for pharmacy professionals navigating an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

“Critical thinking underpins safe, effective and ethical pharmacy practice,” said Mr Sclavos. “We look forward to hearing Dr Karl share his expertise and bring his unique perspective to the pharmacy industry.”

A scientist, author and broadcaster who has spent more than three decades promoting science education across television, radio, print and digital platforms. Dr Karl holds degrees in physics, mathematics, biomedical engineering and medicine and is the author of 48 books. He has held a wide range of professional roles including physicist, biomedical engineer and medical doctor. His contributions to science communication have been recognised nationally and internationally – in 2019 he was awarded the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularisation of Science and honoured in 2025 as the NSW Senior Australian of the Year.

Dr Karl will be joined by 40+ other professional, business and industry speakers and clinical experts who will deliver content focused on the conference theme, ‘Connecting with Care’. A full program will be released in May.

Pharmacy Connect is taking place 9 September – 11 September at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. Early Bird registration, which can save attendees up to $100, is now open.

Mr Sclavos encourages pharmacy owners, pharmacists, executives, interns, students and industry partners to take advantage of Early Bird pricing and secure their place early.

“Pharmacy Connect delivers practical, relevant education and meaningful networking in a focused and highly engaged environment. And booking early means you get all the value at the best price.”