SHPA congratulates Prof John Skerritt on King’s Birthday Honours
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) today congratulates Professor John Skerritt on receiving the Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division as part of yesterday’s King’s Birthday honours for his significant contributions to public health and scientific research.
Chief Executive Kristin Michaels says Professor Skerrit was a strong partner of SHPA and advanced pharmacy practice.
‘On behalf of our members I congratulate John on his worthy acknowledgement in the King’s Birthday Honours this year.
‘Thanks to his leadership and vision, Australia has maintained an internationally recognised medicines regulatory system, which has upheld and supported safe and quality access to medicines for Australians
‘John was a driving force behind important changes to hospital compounding regulation through his position as Deputy Secretary of the Health Products Regulation Group and decade long career leading the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
‘We were proud to work with Professor Skerritt and his TGA team through the SHPA Compounding Services Leadership Committee to amend the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 to allow specialty hospital pharmacists to compound time-critical and life-saving medicines in anticipation of need, to ensure hospital patients would not endure any unnecessary delays to critical treatment.
‘John also ensured the TGA was a central player in opioid medicines regulation and access reform, leading to the development of opioid stewardship clinical care standards, which are key to reducing the impact of opioid-related harm in hospitals, at transitions of care and in the community. He also facilitated additional access and approval pathways for overseas sponsors of medicines to bring their products into Australia, to the direct benefit of clinicians, patients and consumers.
‘We thank John for trusting the voice of SHPA and hospital pharmacy, and our advice on crucial issues related to the use of medicines in Australia.’
Ms Michaels also notes Professor Skerritt’s leadership during the most challenging years of the COVID19 pandemic.
‘As Australians, we were especially fortunate to have Professor Skerrit at the helm of the TGA during these turbulent years, to ensure we all had ready and safe access to new vaccines and COVID-19 treatments.
‘On behalf of SHPA, we congratulate John for his leadership and stewardship of the TGA having helped cement its reputation as one of the most renowned regulators in the international arena.'