APLUS Pharmacy

10/04/2026

Nearly 10 years ago, I asked my colleague Clint Flanigan a simple question that would change the direction of my career.

At the time, Clint was delivering diabetes education and diabetes MedsChecks in our pharmacy. Watching the impact of structured diabetes care in the community, I remember thinking:

Why can’t pharmacists do the same for asthma?

That question led me to become an asthma educator and begin developing respiratory services within community pharmacy including asthma education clinics, hay fever clinics, and respiratory-focused MedsChecks.

What quickly became clear was that education and follow-up can make a real difference to patient outcomes.

Over time, this work grew into APLUS Pharmacy Education, supporting pharmacists to implement practical respiratory care services in their own communities.

My passion for this area is also personal. I have seen firsthand the devastating impact asthma can have on families, including the tragic loss of a customer’s grandson at just 16 years of age and the tragic loss of Zoe Kennedy at 13.

Today I’m proud to support the work of the Zoe Kennedy Foundation, helping raise awareness and improve outcomes for young people living with asthma.

Community pharmacists have a powerful opportunity to strengthen respiratory care in Australia and APLUS Pharmacy Education was created to help make that happen.

And Clint — thank you for saying yes and supporting me on this journey.

09/04/2026

Asthma care in Australia is changing and community pharmacy has an important role to play.

Recent updates to the National Asthma Council Australia Australian Asthma Handbook, including significant treatment changes from 12 years of age and above, are helping reshape asthma management across the country.

This momentum is also reflected in A Bold Blueprint for Asthma Reform in Australia and Lung Foundation Australia’s Healthy Lungs for All (2026–2030) plan, both highlighting the importance of prevention, lung health and community-based care.

After nearly 30 years as a community pharmacist and almost 10 years as an asthma educator, it’s incredibly encouraging to see this national focus on respiratory health.

It’s also why I created APLUS Pharmacy Education, to support pharmacists in translating respiratory guidelines into practical services within community pharmacy and working collaboratively with GPs and other healthcare professionals to improve asthma outcomes.

Community pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare professionals, uniquely positioned to identify poor asthma control, support inhaler technique, provide education and help patients navigate the healthcare system.

I’m also proud to partner with the Zoe Kennedy Foundation, whose work raising awareness and improving outcomes for young people living with asthma is incredibly important.

Australia is well placed to strengthen respiratory care, but lung health must remain a national priority.

Learn more about APLUS Pharmacy Education:
https://www.apluspharmacyeducation.com.au/contact

20/12/2025

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year! Upon reflection of 2025, APLUS Pharmacy Education has had some wonderful new challenges and opportunities along the way, some highlights of which have included:
* Continuation of once a month visits to Paul Wickham Pharmacy Mooroopna for respiratory clinics, medschecks, follow up and staff education. Love this model of care.
* Working with the Complete Care Group in Tasmania to add Respiratory Care Clinics to their list of professional services provided.
*Filming with the National Asthma Council - How to use inhaler with spacer videos.
*Revisiting local pharmacies for the 3rd year in a row such as TerryWhite Chemmart Cobram and Marraboor Soul Pattison Pharmacy Swan Hill.
*Writing my first journal article for the Australian Pharmacist.
*Guest speaker for my first PSA webinar alongside Debbie Rigby and Deb Hawthorne - Asthma Updates that Matter - and a second one in the making alongside Stephen Hughes for February - watch this space!
*Strengthening of our partnership with the Zoe Kennedy Asthma Foundation bringing asthma & hay fever seminars to our local community.
*Becoming a member of the National Asthma Council's Pharmacist Asthma Advisory Group.
And much more, working with pharmacists, new pharmacy teams and health care professionals to deliver best patient respiratory care into the future. Thankyou very much to those who have supported APLUS Pharmacy Education.
I'm excited to share with you a sneak peak of a Pull-up banner designed by Jess Waters, designer also of APLUS Pharmacy Education's branding and website to use in 2026! Thanks Jess, love your work!!
Sherri

30/10/2025

It’s been a big week for APLUS Pharmacy Education!
Cobram Terry White Chemmart , Paul Wickham Pharmacy Mooroopna and Berrigan Pharmacy have all received visits from APLUS Pharmacy Education to upskill and coach their teams in respiratory care and services. Together, we’ve delivered hands-on asthma and hayfever clinics, helping patients improve their breathing, symptom control and overall quality of life.
It’s inspiring to see so many pharmacy teams embracing expanded respiratory services and making a real difference in their communities.

23/10/2025

If you are an adolescent over the age of 12 or adult with asthma using ONLY a blue inhaler reliever (Ventolin/Asmol/Zemperon) alone, please speak with your health care professional today about the latest Australian Asthma Guideline Updates.

An essential guide to the main types of asthma and COPD medications available in Australia, updated August 2023.

15/10/2025

A huge thank you to the Australian Pharmacist, the official journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia for publishing my first article and for featuring me in the Career Pathways section of this month’s edition.
It’s such a privilege to share my passion for respiratory health and pharmacist-led care through this platform and to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the evolving role of pharmacists in respiratory management and patient education.
I’m so grateful to the Australian Pharmacist editorial team for the opportunity, guidance, and support and to all my colleagues who continue to inspire and elevate our profession every day.
If you haven’t already, check out the latest issue, it’s full of great insights regarding asthma care and the recent updated Australian Asthma Guidelines, as well as other valuable information for pharmacists.
Society ofPharmaceutical Society of Australia

04/08/2025

Last week I had the fabulous opportunity to travel to Tasmania to work with the incredible Complete Care Pharmacy teams at Rosny Park and South Hobart.

We focused on all things respiratory — from upcoming changes to the asthma guidelines and delivering effective allergic rhinitis clinics, to improving inhaler technique and developing professional services that support patients with chronic respiratory conditions.

Through APLUS Pharmacy Education, it’s a privilege to collaborate with forward-thinking teams like Kristina’s, who share the same vision: to deliver holistic health solutions, embed complete care into everyday practice, and improve the health and wellbeing of their communities.

06/05/2025

Happy World Asthma Day!
Check out these relics from respiratory history — Rotahalers and a Spinhaler. It's incredible to see how far we've come in asthma management over the years. I can't believe I still have these tucked away!
Does anyone else remember using, prescribing or dispensing these?
Let’s continue driving awareness, education, and innovation to help our patients breathe easier every day

27/04/2025

Shaping tomorrow’s respiratory leaders today — one teachable moment at a time!
This week, pictured below, I had the pleasure of bringing respiratory medicine to life, sharing with Erin, one of our fantastic pharmacy students, how to navigate inhaled therapies for asthma and COPD guided by the National Asthma Council’s comprehensive inhaler chart (a must have in every consult room!).
Through APLUS Pharmacy Education, I’m passionate about offering students and early career pharmacists the opportunity to learn more than just theory — including real patient consultations (with consent), medication reviews, referrals to GPs, and hands-on device technique education.
We document every step, prioritise quality use of medicines, and focus on disease state management education— all leading to improved patient quality of life, stronger community connections, and, importantly, increased professional confidence and career satisfaction.
Investing time in mentorship not only shapes better pharmacists — it builds healthier communities.

20/01/2025

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and Achievement for APLUS Pharmacy Education What an extraordinary year 2024 has been for APLUS Pharmacy Education! It has…

09/12/2024

A big thank you to Sue Randall and the Bendigo UFS team for welcoming APLUS Pharmacy Education for a meet-and-greet day across all five pharmacies last week. It was fantastic to meet the engaged and enthusiastic staff, who were eager to learn more about who we are and what we do.
We're excited about the group's vision to implement Asthma and Hayfever Professional Services in their community next year, and we look forward to supporting you in making a positive impact. Thank you for the warm hospitality and the opportunity to share our mission with your team!

27/11/2024

Highly recommend downloading the Melbourne Pollen App for this time of year for those affected and interested

⚠️ Today is a pollen day in many parts of Victoria, including Melbourne and Bendigo, and a pollen day in Canberra.

If pollen triggers your asthma or hay fever, it's essential to plan ahead and stay safe.

Check the daily pollen forecasts available at sensitivechoice.com.

Sensitive Choice Melbourne Pollen Canberra Pollen