This month's National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA) Congress will be held in Sydney for the first time in over 20 years.
The Congress, hosted by the Sydney University Pharmacy Association, will run from 23 to 29 January, featuring a packed program of workshops and social events and providing an opportunity for members to meet fellow pharmacy students from all over Australia.
The Congress theme, "Going for Gold", marks the beginning of an Olympic year and reflects on how pharmacy students, as future health professionals, can achieve "gold standards" in health care in terms of the role they play, the pharmacies they manage and the advice they give.
Issues to be explored include provision of non-prescription medications, motivational counselling and achieving optimal health outcomes, the media and its ability to shape perceptions of the pharmacy profession and the rise of online pharmacies.
Workshops will also look at achieving gold standards in rural and indigenous health care, models of pharmacy and industrial affairs.
The Congress will host the heats and final of the NSW NAPSA Congress Pharmacy Student of the Year competition, with the winner obtaining wildcard entry to the national finals later in 2008.