PPP185 - Live from NAPSA Congress 2026

In this episode, the podcast heads on site to NAPSA Congress, the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association’s week-long flagship event that brings together pharmacy students from across Australia. The Congress features education sessions, workshops, social events, networking opportunities, and a vibrant trade exhibition, and this episode captures the energy of being right in the middle of it all.

Recorded at the trade exhibition last week, the episode features conversations with Sebastian Harper from Griffith University, NAPSA’s National President, Sebastian Schulke from the University of Queensland, and Mia Avram from Monash University and NAPSA’s National Treasurer. They reflect on their favourite moments from Congress, what stood out most, and the key learnings they will take forward into their future pharmacy careers.

The discussion spans a range of timely and relevant topics, including practical insights into probiotics, the expanding role of pharmacists in harm reduction and dependency services such as naloxone take-home programs, and the growing importance of full-scope physical assessment. The guests also share perspectives on how pharmacists can better support patients using GLP-1 agonists, from counselling through to ongoing care, and what it truly means to serve and support local communities.

The episode also highlights takeaways from Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY), exploring the qualities that set emerging leaders apart. A reflective conversation on authenticity in pharmacy rounds out the episode, focusing on why being yourself matters, how to avoid the “pharmacist Barbie” stereotype, and the value of showing up as a genuine and relatable professional.

This episode was recorded live in the trade exhibition space at NAPSA Congress, so some background noise may be audible. Every effort has been made to optimise the audio while preserving the authentic atmosphere of the event.