Callum Porter interview
For World Pharmacists Day 2023, we are delighted to present some of the amazing stories of our members who represent the diversity and excellence of the pharmacy profession in different areas and roles. Meet Callum Porter, a locum pharmacist who works in the Kapiti Coast. He tells us about his love for pharmacy, his challenges and successes, and his tips for future pharmacists. Find out more about his journey as a pharmacist in his interview below.
Celebrating Pharmacy: An Interview with PSNZ member Callum Porter
Pharmacy is a diverse and rewarding profession that plays a vital role in the health system. To celebrate World Pharmacists Day, we spoke to PSNZ member Callum Porter about his journey, challenges, and aspirations in pharmacy.
Callum grew up around pharmacy, with both of his parents being pharmacists. He says he was curious about pharmacy from a young age and developed a passion for it as he learned more. He studied at Otago University graduating in 2019, then completed his internship in the Wairarapa, and now he works as a locum throughout the lower North Island.
This year's World Pharmacists Day theme is 'Pharmacy strengthening health systems'. Callum believes that pharmacists can collaborate with other healthcare professionals to strengthen the health system, especially in light of the Covid pandemic.
"Pharmacists have proven themselves to be the most accessible health professional, particularly during the Covid pandemic. I think pharmacists can take part in more public health initiatives through expansion of our vaccination services, a universal minor ailments service, more involvement in medicines management services like MURs and CPAMS etc," he says.
However, Callum also acknowledges that there are some challenges facing pharmacists today, such as staff shortages, funding issues and professional development.
"Staff shortages and attracting aspiring students to the profession of pharmacy are definitely two of the big challenges facing pharmacy currently. Many young pharmacists feel they reach their professional ceiling early which is driving some out of the profession. Funding for pharmacy services is also lacking. Many services we provide are largely unfunded or underfunded, whilst core dispensing service fees are not being maintained at a level matching the cost pressures we are seeing in community pharmacy," he says.
When asked about New Zealand's first-ever national Health Plan in 2024, Callum hopes for better integration of databases between primary and secondary care.
"I would like to see a universal system so all health practitioners involved in that patient's care can see their full medical history so better-informed decisions can be made about their care. Also, more economic incentives offered to health providers to modernise their service delivery through automation and digital solutions," Callum says.
Following the recent removal of the co-payment prescription fee, Callum would like to go a step further and see all patients being moved to a digital space like Medimap, so prescriptions can be generated and reviewed in a more seamless manner, without patients having to try to book appointments for routine prescriptions.
Finally, we asked Callum for a "World Pharmacists Day" message to his colleagues:
"Pharmacy in New Zealand right now is clearly a tough working environment, with many feeling unseen and undervalued for their contributions. But we have shown how capable we are during times like COVID, and the gears are starting to turn. Now is the time for pharmacy to put our money where our mouths are and show just how good us pharmacists and pharmacy staff are."