A West Australian hospital oncology pharmacist with a 20 year career in cancer chemotherapy delivery has been named the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Pharmacist of the Year.

The PSA awarded the accolade to Michael Cain from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital at Nedlands during the Pharmacy Australia Congress, held in Melbourne earlier this month.

Mr Cain, who works with the Cancer Clinical Services Unit, was recognised in the Excellence Awards for his outstanding contribution to the pharmacy profession.

“This public recognition, bestowed at a national level, by the broadest possible representation of my peers, represents a very significant personal milestone, and inspiration for the future,” he said.

“Cancer medicine has proved a rich field of opportunity for pharmacist involvement and I consider myself privileged to be involved.

“Cancer management is very much about teams and as such I have many colleagues and mentors to thank. In many ways I accept this award recognising their support and guidance.”

Mr Cain, who graduated in 1981, said he thrived on assessing emerging information and consensus statements from literature, and introducing good practices into the treatment of cancer patients.

“My greatest satisfaction (is) from finding ways of projecting good practice in the use of medicines through the diversity of medical, nursing and pharmacy staff involved in delivering cancer chemotherapy,” he said.

“There is a collegiate culture within the field of cancer treatment (that) is wonderful, and there is high respect for evidence based therapy.”

Mr Cain said the award was also a celebration of how pharmacists are evolving in the health landscape.

“Health care is changing and I am heartened to see pharmacists very firmly demonstrating their capabilities in quality use of medicines,” he said.