Vale Ian Hamilton

The Society has lost another of its former Presidents with the death of Ian Hamilton on 16 March 2020.

Ian was a Member of the Pharmaceutical Council of Western Australia for sixteen years from1983 to 1998 and was its (and the Society’s) President from 1987 to 1991.

Ian’s time as president coincided with a particularly distressing time for the profession when the federal government sought to make substantial reduction to payment for the provision of services under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Ian and the Society’s Deputy President, Kevin McAnuff, were well suited for the time. After unsatisfactory negotiations with the then Minister for Health they made such strong demands to be heard that the then Prime Minister, Mr Hawke, agreed to meet with them.  The basis of their representations was that, unlike any other jurisdiction, every pharmacist in Western Australia was a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Western Australia.

The outcome of their negotiations eventually led to completion of an agreement between the government and the Pharmacy Guild which has evolved over subsequent years to today’s 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement.

It was during Ian’s term as President that the Professional Development Assurance Programme was introduced – the earliest structured (and then voluntary) continuing education and practice development programme in the country.

He was also instrumental in establishing successful, ongoing relationships with the medical and other health professions.

Ian’s term also saw the purchase of land and construction of the Society’s present offices in Subiaco.

Ian is among five former Presidents who have died since 2005 being predeceased by Gladys Heedes, Geoff Miller, Kevin McAnuff and Geoff Ludkins.