Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer Program

Neik AlizahdahMonash University School of Rural Health is participating in the Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer Program.

The Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer (RPLO) Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health as part of the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement.

The objectives of the program are aimed at increasing access to quality pharmacy services for rural healthcare patients by supporting and strengthening the rural pharmacy workforce in regional and remote areas of Australia. The Program aims to support and promote pharmacists and pharmacy students practising in rural and remote areas and to deliver local programs that support clinical placements and promote intra-professional collaboration and support.

These local programs facilitate professional development and networking opportunities between pharmacies, pharmacy departments, pharmacists, pharmacy students, and university pharmacy schools. The objectives of the RPLO are to implement local level projects that will:

  • Provide support to both practising rural community pharmacies and to pharmacy students undertaking clinical placements in rural areas
  • Promote inter-professional collaboration with pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy students, and other universities
  • Strengthen mentoring and advisory arrangements for pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy students
  • Facilitate professional development and networking opportunities for pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy students.

Find out more about the Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer Program.

Rural Pharmacy Liaision Officer

Emily Griffin is the RPLO for Victoria employed by Monash University School of Rural Health since June 2023. Emily is a pharmacist, originally from regional Victoria. Emily has practised in regional and rural Victoria, and currently practises in a variety of settings including hospital, community, and university.

Emily Griffin

Hi, I’m Emily, the RPLO for Victoria. Having grown up, studied, and practised in regional/rural Victoria, I have observed and faced first-hand the challenges of rural pharmacy. Now working predominantly in metropolitan Melbourne this RPLO role gives me another opportunity to give back to the rural Victorian community.

There is more that can be done to support, strengthen, and promote the rural pharmacy workforce which I am hoping to achieve through a number of projects. The current projects are based on the overarching objectives of the program and are centred around  communications, networks, supports, and research.

Please feel free to reach out via email.

Contact Emily