Charles Darwin University graduates become first in the country to earn ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’

Pharmacy student Mahsa Mosalla hopes being recognised as a doctor will help change the perception that pharmacists ‘just stick labels on bottles’ – acknowledging their crucial role providing healthcare.

CDU Doctor of Pharmacy graduate Mahsa Mosalla says the use of the title Doctor will create more career opportunities as well as open more doors to specialise within the profession. Pic: Supplied.

A group of Charles Darwin University graduates are the first in Australia to be awarded the title ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’.

One of the six graduates, 26-year-old Mahsa Mosalla, hoped becoming a doctor would create more career opportunities as well as open more doors to specialise within the profession.

“Back home in Iran pharmacists are very highly respected and in the same tier as medical doctors,” she said.

“In Australia, however, there’s a perception that pharmacists just stick labels on bottles and that’s it – but it’s a much more skilled profession.

“We’re the second checkpoint for medical doctors and are an important part of that circle of patient care. We already do vaccinations – hopefully there will be opportunities to prescribe and provide increased clinical services in future.”

The youngest of four children, Miss Mosalla moved to Australia in 2018 with dreams of studying pharmacy and will now join two of her other siblings in the profession.

“My parents didn’t have the opportunity to go to university,” she said.

“Education was very important to my Dad who sadly passed away while I was studying – my parents instilled in my siblings and I that education and family were the most important.

“For me, earning the title of Doctor is symbolic of all the hard work, sacrifice and resilience – not just for me, but also for my family, for supporting me.”

Charles Darwin University Associate Professor – Pharmacy Heather Volk. Pic: Supplied.

Reforms to pharmacy accreditation came into effect this year, with extended master’s students now able to use the title ‘Doctor’ instead of ‘Master’ – marking a significant advancement in acknowledging the evolving clinical responsibilities of pharmacists.

The changes also bring pharmacy in line with other health professions such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, physiotherapy and podiatry, where extended master’s degrees grant graduates the doctor title.

CDU’s Associate Professor of Pharmacy, Heather Volk, said the change recognised the level and length of training required to provide the full range of medication management services – including prescribing.

“The introduction of the Doctor of Pharmacy award is an exciting time for the profession,” she said.

“Pharmacy, like most health programs at CDU, is required to meet the rigorous national standards set by our Boards and is administered through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

“We also work closely with the profession as our students undertake weekly work integrated learning in a variety of healthcare settings.

“Providing greater access to education in rural and remote areas is a priority of CDU, and the support of the profession allows us to deliver our course online – allowing people to obtain the qualification regardless of where they live.”

Originally published as Charles Darwin University graduates become first in the country to earn ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’