Gary West is a registered pharmacist with over 35 years of experience in the profession. He has been a community pharmacy owner, a locum pharmacist and a sessional practitioner at Griffith University School of Pharmacy, tutoring in professional practice courses. Gary has had a long-term involvement with intern training and assessment in Queensland. He is one of the PDL Professional Officers and is the Chair of the PDL Qld Local Advisory Committee. His areas of interest include student and intern education and assessment, supporting and assisting pharmacists to engage in professional practice and managing complaints and notifications against PDL members. Gary was presented with the PSA (Qld) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Jess is a registered pharmacist with almost 15 years of extensive experience in community pharmacy. She has been a managing pharmacist, proprietor and group compliance manager. Jess is one of four PDL Professional Officers and is on the Local Advisory Committee for NSW and the ACT. Her areas of interest include Schedule 8, vaccination and proprietor legislation. Jess is passionate about supporting and educating pharmacists on risk minimisation and management strategies.
Naomi is a Professional Officer at PDL and is the Chair of the Victorian Local Advisory Committee. She has practised as a pharmacist in three states in Australia across diverse settings. Her industry experience includes hospital, retail, COVID-19 vaccinations, knowledge development, IVF and Aboriginal health. Naomi enjoys inspiring pharmacists to broaden their professional identity and resilience in the ever-changing landscape of pharmacy.
Paul was appointed Director of the APPco board in 2009 and Chair in 2013. In 2014, Paul was elected the PDL Director for VIC and in 2017 was appointed the Chairman of the PDL Board. Paul is also the Founder and CEO of Fred IT Group.
Gilbert has over 40 years’ experience as a pharmacist in a diverse range of practice settings and roles. He has managed and owned community pharmacies, been an accredited pharmacist and has lectured in pharmacy practice.
As Deputy Chair of PDL he has been involved in many recent advances in pharmacy practice through membership of steering committees including the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP), the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacist Pilot (UTIPP-Q) and the North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
Celia was appointed PDL Director for WA in September 2017. Celia is a Director and Deputy Chair of the Pharmaceutical Society WA and currently sits on four boards, while also examining the pharmacy oral exams on behalf of PBA. She also recently became a part owner of a rural pharmacy in WA alongside three sisters. Her areas of expertise include intern training, examining, governance, leadership, investment and mentoring.
Kirstie works as the Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Education in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University. Kirstie has been a member of the Victorian Local Advisory Committee since 2009 and became a Director in 2017.
Ian has more than 20 years’ experience as a member advocate in South Australia and nationally, including being involved in the negotiation and funding of professional practice extension for all pharmacists over the 4th, 5th, and 6th Pharmacy Agreements. In particular, he was involved in establishing the rules and implementation of RMMR, Medschecks, HMRs, scholarships for ATSI students, DAA payments and Clinical Interventions. Ian became the Director for SA/ NT in November 2020.
Amanda was appointed PDL Director for NSW and the ACT in July 2022. She is a high-level executive with experience as a community pharmacist and community pharmacy owner, board director, credentialled diabetes educator and regulator. Amanda is Director and FARM Chair of the Australian Pharmacy Council and a Board Director for the Pharmacists’ Support Service. She is a past Director/ National Councilor of the Pharmacy Guild. Amanda has extensive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and finance and risk experience.
Local Advisory Committees (LACs) also operate across all states of Australia. The LACs’ role and duty are to:
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.