Here for Good Community Care
At Independent Pharmacies Australia, we’re excited to share that Pharmacist Academy is returning – bringing together our network of pharmacists, pharmacy owners and valued suppliers for an immersive, practice-focused program designed to elevate professional services across community pharmacy.
This event will equip your pharmacy with the confidence, tools and connections needed to lead and grow your services. Through a blend of interactive sessions, peer collaboration and real-world insights, Pharmacist Academy goes beyond theory, delivering practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Good Community Care starts here at Pharmacist Academy!
What to Expect
Pharmacists
Why you should attend
Designed for Pharmacists, Pharmacist Academy will support you in delivering high-quality professional services with confidence.
- Build confidence in service delivery: strengthen your ability to deliver and expand professional services with clarity and consistency in your day-to-day practise.
- Stay ahead of evolving practise: keep up with the latest approaches in patient care to remain relevant and impactful.
- Real skills you can use immediately: experience practical, hands-on sessions with tools and frameworks designed to help you lift performance when you’re back in your community.
- Earn CPD while you learn: contribute to your professional development with CPD-recordable sessions built into the program.
Pharmacy Owners
Why you should invest
Strengthen your pharmacy’s revenue by uplifting your professional services offering.
- Unlock new growth opportunities: discover how professional services can drive revenue and differentiate your pharmacy.
- Build a sustainable service model: learn how to implement and scale services that deliver long-term value to your business.
- Strengthen your team’s performance: gain strategies to engage, upskill, and empower your team to deliver at a higher level.
- Lead with clarity and confidence: walk away with a clearer direction for growing your pharmacy in a changing landscape.
Evening Functions
Welcome Dinner | Cibaria Trattoria
Monday 20 July
Join us for an intimate and relaxed evening to open Pharmacist Academy. Reconnect, meet new faces and enjoy quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
Cocktail Party | Beach Club Rooftop, Hotel Steyne
Tuesday 21 July
Unwind and connect at our rooftop cocktail party. With ocean views, drinks and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to recharge before the next day of learning.
Dress Code: Tropical Tourist
Think Hawaiian shirts, linen sets, breezy dresses, sunglasses, sandals, bucket hats and all your favourite holiday vibes. Whether you’re channeling resort chic or embracing your inner tourist dad, come ready to relax, connect and celebrate.
Key Speakers
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
STEVEN KASTRINAKIS
Founder, Managing Director, IPA
Steven Katrinakis, Managing Director of IPA, is a passionate advocate for independent pharmacy. He drives innovation to enhance patient care and empower pharmacy owners. Known for his professionalism and care, Steven also mentors emerging pharmacists and supports community health initiatives, making a lasting impact on the profession.
NAIL THE NOW. WIN THE FUTURE.
KEELY PAUL
National Professional Services Manager
Keely Paul is the National Professional Services Manager at IPA, bringing extensive experience supporting pharmacies across Australia. With a strong background in operations and professional services, she works closely with pharmacy teams to implement and grow patient-focused services. Keely offers practical insights to help pharmacists strengthen service delivery and drive better patient outcomes.
SMALL STEPS, BIG SCOPE: MAKING EXPANDED PRACTICE SIMPLE.
TAJE ZELKA
Professional Services Pharmacist – NSW & ACT
Taje Zelka is an IPA Professional Services Pharmacist for NSW & ACT and an experienced pharmacy owner. With over a decade of hands-on experience in community pharmacy, he brings practical, real-world insights into delivering and growing professional services in-store.
MORE THAN A SALE: BUILDING BASKETS THROUGH BETTER CARE.
WES JOSEPH
Head of Chemist Discount Centre Operations
Wes Joseph is Head of Chemist Discount Centre Operations and an experienced pharmacist with a strong background in retail, telehealth, and commercial strategy. As an accredited pharmacist and Pharmacy Board Examiner, he brings a broad perspective on evolving models of care and the future of pharmacy practice.
DISPENSARY METRICS THAT MATTER
GEORGE VATOUSIOS
General Manager – Sales
George Vatousios is General Manager of Sales at IPA and an experienced executive leader with a background in pharmacy. He leads commercial strategy, growth, and operations across the network, bringing a strong focus on performance, member engagement, and sustainable business success. George offers valuable insights for pharmacy owners looking to strengthen their business and adapt to a changing healthcare landscape.
IDENTIFYING THE OPPORTUNITY
KOS SCLAVOS AM
Chairman – Australian Pharmacy Professional & Pharmacy Connect Conference, Chief Pharmacist – PharmaPrograms
Kos Sclavos is a highly respected pharmacy leader, clinical pharmacist, and owner, currently serving as Chief Pharmacist at PharmaPrograms. He brings decades of experience across professional services, industry innovation, and pharmacy practice, with a strong focus on expanding the role of pharmacists in patient care. Kos offers valuable insights for pharmacists looking to grow services and strengthen their impact in the evolving healthcare landscape.
CREATING LOCAL CONNECTIONS
KIM ALGIE
Head of Marketing Operations
Kim Algie is Head of Marketing Operations at IPA, with extensive experience in marketing, loyalty, and customer engagement across healthcare and retail. She specialises in driving growth through data-led campaigns, brand strategy, and customer experience initiatives. Kim brings practical insights to help pharmacies strengthen patient engagement and build more sustainable, high-performing businesses.
Your MCs
This year, you’ll be guided through the conference by two MCs who truly understand the realities of community pharmacy.
Returning for her second year as MC, Kavita Nadan knows firsthand what it takes to deliver great care while balancing the demands of running a pharmacy. As an IPA Member, Pharmacist and Owner of Chemist Discount Centre Endeavour Hills, as well as Co-Founder of Locumate, Kavita brings real-world experience, practical insight and a genuine understanding of the opportunities and challenges you face every day.
Joining Kavita is Nader Mitri, IPA’s General Manager of Chemist Discount Centre. With leadership experience across healthcare partnerships, patient support and professional services, alongside practical retail ownership experience, Nader brings strong strategic insight into building better systems, improving service delivery and supporting sustainable pharmacy growth.
Together, Kavita and Nader will bring this year’s theme to life, helping connect each session to practical ways you can build capability, confidence and care in your pharmacy every day.
NADER MITRI
General Manager – Chemist Discount Centre
Nader Mitri is General Manager of Chemist Discount Centre at IPA, with a strong background as a pharmacist, pharmacy proprietor, and health strategy consultant. He brings deep experience across pharmacy operations, business development, and digital health innovation, with a focus on improving patient engagement and medication outcomes. Nader combines clinical expertise with commercial and entrepreneurial leadership to drive growth and strengthen community pharmacy services.
KAVITA NADAN
Head of Operations – Prime Pharmacy Group, Owner of Chemist Discount Centre Endeavour Hills, Co-Founder – Locumate, Pharmacist
Kavita Nadan is Managing Partner of Chemist Discount Centre Endeavour Hills and Head of Operations at Prime Pharmacy Group. She is an experienced community pharmacist and entrepreneur, with a strong track record in pharmacy ownership, operations, and innovation in workforce solutions. Kavita also co-founded Locumate, reflecting her focus on improving pharmacy staffing, efficiency, and service delivery.
Program
*Subject to change
Day 1 Monday 20 July
8.00am Registration and IPA Booths Open
10:00am Morning Tea & Welcome
10:50am Looking to the Future – Steven Kastrinakis
11.30am Embracing the Change
12.15pm Nail the now. Win the future. – Keely Paul
1.00pm Lunch
1.45pm – Sponsor Spotlight
2.10pm – Small Steps. Big Scope. Making Expanded Practice Simple Workshop – Taje Zelka
2.50pm More than a Sale: Building baskets through better care – Wes Joseph
3.30pm – Afternoon Tea
3.45pm Dispensary Metrics that Matter – George Vatousios
4.10pm Sponsor Spotlight
4.30pm QSPP
5.00pm Day Concludes
6:30 – 10:00pm Welcome Dinner
Day 2 Tuesday 21 July
7:00am Wellness Activity
9:00am Day 2 Welcome
9.15am Identifying the Opportunity – Kos Sclavos
9:40am Pharmacy Excellence and Adaptation
10.05 Sponsor Spotlight
10.25am Morning Tea
10:40am Sponsor Speed Networking Sessions commence
1:20pm Lunch
2:00pm Sponsor Speed Networking
5:00pm Day End
6.30pm Cocktail Party
Day 3 Wednesday 22 July
7:00am Wellness Activity
9:00am Day 3 Welcome
9.10am Creating Local Connections Workshop – Kim Algie
9.50 am Sponsor Session
12.00pm Lunch
1.00pm Goal setting and Intention – Keely Paul
2.30pm Conference Wrap & Departures
Optional Sessions
3.30pm From Pharmacist to Owner: Where to Begin
Location: Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney NSW
Conference Venue
Pharmacist Academy will be held at the Manly Pacific Hotel in Sydney, NSW. With modern conference facilities and stunning coastal surroundings, this venue offers an inspiring environment for both learning and connection.
Accommodation
Manly Pacific Hotel is positioned just moments from Sydney’s iconic Manly Beach, with standard and ocean view rooms available.
Registration Fees
| Package Fees | Early Bird Ends 18 June | Standard Ends 6 July |
| Full Delegate Welcome Dinner, Conference Sessions, Cocktail Party and Morning Wellness Sessions | $350 | $580 |
| Mon 20 July Half Day + Welcome Dinner | $180 | $300 |
| Tues 21 July Full Day + Cocktail Party | $210 | $330 |
| Wed 22 July Half Day | $100 | $150 |
Acccommodation
Each room includes daily breakfast for 1.
| Rates | 1 Night | 2 Nights Check-in 20 July, Check-out 22 July |
| Standard Accommodation | $220 | $440 |
| Ocean View Accommodation | $250 | $550 |
All delegates are required to provide a credit card upon check-in to the hotel, which will be used to cover any outstanding payments and hotel incidentals.
Payment Options – Registration and Accommodation
- Credit Card
- Direct Debit Full Payment – Payment must be made by 6 July 2026.
Terms and Conditions
- Accommodation at the Manly Pacific Hotel is limited and subject to availability.
- Additional nights can be requested and are subject to availability and may incur a higher per-night rate
- Transfers are not included
- Please read the full Terms and Conditions for Refunds and Cancellation Policies
More information
View full Terms and Conditions Here
Email: events@ipagroup.com | Phone: 1300 001 724