Two future First Nations pharmacists have been awarded the 2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Leadership Grant, providing students the opportunity to develop invaluable leadership skills through an international and cross-cultural experience.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) announced the recipients of the initiative, supported by Pfizer Australia last week, with Barkindji woman Cheyne Sullivan and Wiradjuri woman Jes Pearson being given the opportunity to expand their already well-established knowledge.

A SA Pharmacy Aboriginal Health and Beyond the Gap Project Lead, Ms Sullivan said the grant would allow her an "opportunity to gain a global perspective on challenges, approaches, and strategies related to medicines management for Indigenous peoples".

"Through cultural exchange, connecting and learning from diverse perspectives, I will apply learning to my work as SA Pharmacy Aboriginal Health and Beyond the Gap Project Lead," she said.

Thanking NACCHO, Ms Sullivan noted: "I am looking forward to deepening my understanding of medicines management for Indigenous peoples and fostering collaboration to assist me in continuing to serve my community."

Ms Pearson, who is working towards becoming a registered pharmacist, said she was only the second person in her family - along with her sister - to attend university.

"Growing up as an Indigenous person in my community, I struggled with opportunities to discover my culture, as well as career prospects as a First Nations student," she said.

"During my studies, I have been able to help other First Nations students uncover the opportunities available to them and realise that they, too, can achieve these goals that seem so unattainable."

NACCHO says they are supporting future Indigenous pharmacists, with the aim of amplifying their voices, advocating for community needs, and enhancing the cultural safety and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

"We are thrilled to see the calibre of upcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy sector leaders. We congratulate the two winners and all applicants for their initiative and commitment," NACCHO chief executive Dr Dawn Casey said.

"We congratulate the two winners and all applicants for their initiative and commitment. Developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy workforce is a key enabler to improve the cultural safety and accessibility of pharmacy services for our mob."

NACCHO said building the skills of future Indigenous pharmacist leaders was critical to ensuring an improved visibility in the profession for prospective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Currently, there are around 100 pharmacists in the country identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander— representing less than 0.3% of the pharmacist workforce.

As such, initiatives such as this enable more pathways to the profession, and will allow both recipients to champion the priorities and needs of Indigenous patients across the sector.

Ms Pearson said learning about her family's history and culture, along with her after school job at the pharmacy, was where her passion for Indigenous health sprung from.

"Working in a rural pharmacy since a young age has given me rich experience in not only the pharmacy profession but also rural and Indigenous healthcare," she said.

"This passion of mine has inspired me to become a leader in my field, to advocate for better healthcare for First Nations people, especially in rural communities."

Managing Director of Pfizer Australia & New Zealand, Anne Harris, said of the initiative: "Developing and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare professionals is vital for the provision of culturally appropriate care."

The grant, funded by Pfizer Australia, includes up to $15,000 for travel and accommodation per recipient.