The Pharmacy Guild of Australia thanks Des Bailey, outgoing president of the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (PGNZ) for his leadership and advocacy, and welcomes PGNZ's new leadership.
On Tuesday, the NZ Pharmacy Guild's Board of Directors elected Keshree Naidoo-Rauf as Guild President and Brooke McKay as Vice President. In a Facebook update yesterday PGNZ stated, "Both are experienced community pharmacists and pharmacy owners and have significant board experience.
"[Keshree] was previously Vice President and has been a Guild board member since 2021. Kesh is also a Hamilton City Councillor. Brooke has been a Guild board member since 2022 and is also Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Society."
National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Professor Trent Twomey welcomed Ms Naidoo-Rauf and Ms McKay to their new positions.
"I look forward to continued partnership, co-operation and support with and for our colleagues over the Tasman as we further advance the profession in both our countries. The future is ripe with opportunity for growth," he said.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank Des Bailey for all he has achieved in his role as President over the past 3 years. Under Des's leadership, the Guild in NZ lobbied successfully for the removal of co-payments on prescriptions, helping to create a level playing field for pharmacies and equal access for patients.
"This is a remarkable achievement on behalf of New Zealand's patients," Prof. Twomey said.
Ms Naidoo-Rauf is known for her heavy involvement with the local community and for initiatives to help those in need. She notably flew to Christchurch to supply freshly cooked Halal meals Mosque attack victims in 2019.
Ms McKay, who was awarded Pharmacist of the Year in 2022, is an early career pharmacist who became a community pharmacy owner at age 25. She is passionate about pharmacist consultation services, vaccinations and enabling all pharmacists and pharmacy staff to provide culturally safe pharmacy practice.
