South Australian intern Philip Spyrou has been announced as the PSA MIMS Australia SA/NT Intern of the Year for 2014.
The prestigious award celebrates the achievements of exceptional interns in developing skills for their professional career.
Presenting the award SA/NT PSA Branch President, Ms Sue Edwards, said: "All nominees are to be congratulated and it is great for the future of the pharmacy profession to have such wonderful young pharmacists beginning their career. In particular, congratulations to Philip who has displayed initiative and leadership in sharing information about medicines to assist in improving health outcomes for not only the direct customers but also the wider community."
Mr Spyrou graduated from the University of South Australia and completed his intern year at Better Health Pharmacy, Fulham Gardens, where he has shown commitment to excellence in pharmacy service delivery and particularly, patient-centred care. He is focussed on helping to improve medication understanding and management both in-store and within the Greek community; for example, by delivering talks at local community or sporting clubs on medication management, common medical conditions and dose administration aids.
He believes that pharmacists should be at the forefront of pharmacy, spending his time at the pharmacy both in the dispensary and on the shop floor, making himself accessible and approachable to his patients at all times.
Actively involved in 5-CPA PPI programs, Mr Spyrou offers in-store checks and recording of blood pressure and blood glucose levels. He performs MedsChecks with confidence and offers time and support to patients with difficulty managing their conditions.
Dinah Graham from MIMS Australia said: “Being able to provide an award for excellence such as the MIMS PSA Intern of the Year Award is something the team from MIMS relishes. We are all passionate about the safe use of medicines and pharmacists are in the forefront of this area of patient care each every day. To see the enthusiasm and appetite for patient centred care displayed by these young interns shows a vital and successful future for community pharmacy.”
MIMS is the sponsor of this award and contributes the major prize of $2,000 to each State winner to be used to advance their pharmacy career. At PSA15, the PSA MIMS Intern of the Year Award recipient will be announced, with the winner being chosen from the State finalists.
The award will go to the State winner deemed to have created the most significant innovation during the year.
MIMS is the leading supplier of trusted, quality, independent medicine information to Australian healthcare professionals, known for its high level of editorial integrity and independence. MIMS Australia has been publishing medicines information since for 50 years and have a keen interest in the development of the profession of pharmacy.
Media contact:
David Ng
Branch Director - SA/NT
0401 900 049
March 30, 2015
