The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has named Krishna Nathwani MPS from Victoria as its first Harm Reduction Champion.
Supported by a grant from Camurus, the PSA Harm Reduction Champion aims to elevate pharmacist leadership in harm reduction and strengthen the profession’s role in improving access to care, reducing stigma, and supporting safer health outcomes for the community.
Krishna is a passionate advocate for harm reduction and full scope pharmacy practice.
Announcing Krishna as the PSA Harm Reduction Champion, Victorian State Manager Jarrod McMaugh FPS said:
“Krishna exemplifies the impact pharmacists can have through innovative, patient-centred care,” he said.
“Her leadership in establishing a community pharmacy-based long-acting injectable buprenorphine program has improved access to treatment and demonstrated the important contribution pharmacists make to harm reduction.
“As PSA’s first Harm Reduction Champion, Krishna is helping drive positive change, advocating for models of care that improve access, reduce stigma, and deliver better outcomes for patients and communities.”
Speaking on stage, Ms Nathwani said:
“Harm reduction saves lives and strengthens the health and wellbeing of our communities, with pharmacists having long played a role in this space,” she said.
“There’s such a big deal for wraparound care, collaborative care, and consistent, equitable care that’s destigmatising but also dignifying.
“We’ve been talking about how much pharmacists still have to do, how much we can expand our scope, and there’s a real big opportunity there.
“I’m really excited to do that together with all of our pharmacists to hear your wins, your success stories, and your barriers as well, but I’m really excited for what the next 12 months will bring.”
Text by: PSA.