PSWA Innovation Night - an outstanding success

The PSWA Innovation Night was an outstanding success with four fabulous speakers presenting on four very different areas to a capacity crowd.

Sharon Ho demystified pharmacogenomics and showed how genetic variations affect medication response and its current practical application. Sharon showed how pharmacogenomics could unlock the future potential of a pharmacist led approach to customised medication  dosing.

From pharmaceutical developer Rick Ferdinands, we learned the story of groundbreaking work on Khapregesic from the Kaya senegalensis tree grown in WA. Rick talked about the journey from identifying and testing the components of the tree bark to clinical research. Then how they progressed to the development and commercial reality in the Hey Sister! product range for period pain, PMS, perimenopause and menopause relief.

Opening our eyes to new possibilities of clinical practice, Ciara McLennan detailed her life as a “virtual” clinical pharmacist providing innovative healthcare solutions at Canberra Hospital, creating medication management pathways and solutions for patients,  all from her home in Perth.   

Credentialled pharmacist Saloni Shah took us on a journey through her role as an Aged Care Onsite Pharmacists and how understanding medicines, communicating and advocating for residents were skills empowering pharmacists to work in new and emerging areas of pharmacy practice. 

It was also excellent to see and hear from attendees at the PSWA Innovation Night through our social media channels. Their one-word reflections on the evening include empowering, eye-opening, fascinating, innovative and inspirational.

 The PSWA Innovation Night was all of those things and a great networking event as well. It’s one to put in your diary for 2026!