Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Professor Trent Twomey has paid tribute to outgoing Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly.
"Professor Kelly's leadership, technical expertise and communication skills were instrumental in navigating Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Professor Twomey said.
"Through his trademark calmness and pragmatism, Professor Kelly was a source of great comfort and reassurance to many Australians during the uncertain times of the pandemic.
"I particularly thank Professor Kelly for his steadfast support for community pharmacy's role in the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations.
"During the height of the pandemic, community pharmacy administered more than 12 million vaccines.
"The decision to put community pharmacy on the frontline of vaccine delivery has forever changed the way Australians access vaccination services."
Professor Twomey recognised the collaborative and solutions-focussed manner in which Professor Kelly approached discussions with the Guild at critical junctures in the pandemic response.
"Professor Kelly consistently adopted innovate yet common sense solutions to complex health problems - always with the best interests of Australian patients as his top priority.
"On behalf of community pharmacies across Australia, I thank Professor Kelly for his significant contribution to Australia's health system and services and wish him all the best for the future," Professor Twomey said.
