The LIPPE Network: Transforming Pharmacy Education in Australia
The Leaders in Indigenous Pharmacy Profession Education (LIPPE) Network has been launched by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and the Council of Pharmacy Schools Australia and New Zealand (CPS) with a clear mission: to bring Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and cultural safety into pharmacy education.
The goal is to ensure that current and future pharmacists are equipped to provide culturally safe care for First Nations peoples across Australia and New Zealand. Make sure you are updated with the latest news and updates.
Why the LIPPE Network is Formed
LIPPE is created to address a vital need in the healthcare system: to transform the way pharmacists are trained so they can better serve Indigenous communities. The network aims to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and being into what is traditionally a Western-style education. This approach not only respects Indigenous cultures but also empowers pharmacy educators to make real, meaningful changes in their curriculum, training, and practice.
LIPPE’s Chair, Professor Faye McMillan AM, the first Aboriginal person to graduate as a pharmacist in Australia, spoke about the impact of this initiative. Reflecting on the progress made since she graduated 21 years ago, Professor McMillan said, “I am proud to see the work that is taking place with LIPPE and the impact that this will have on the future pharmacy workforce.”
She is also head of Head Of Discipline, Indigenous Health School of Public Health at the University of Technology Sydney. Read her profile
Lippe News & Webinars
As part of its efforts to involve the pharmacy community, LIPPE hosts a series of webinars. These webinars provide a platform for educators and professionals to engage with the network and its resources. During the first LIPPE at Noon webinar, Professor McMillan introduced the network and explained its purpose, asking participants to reflect on what they could personally contribute to advancing Indigenous leadership in pharmacy education.
LIPPE’s logo, created by Indigenous artist Sarah Richards, carries significant meaning. The rippling effect it depicts symbolizes the careful steps being taken by those involved in the network, with a focus on creating sustainable and lasting change. As Professor McMillan described it, “It’s about honoring and respecting the footprints we are leaving, which will connect the past, the present, and the future.”
Recent podcasts are available on Spotify & Sound Cloud
Official website for News & Updates
The official online website address for LIPPE is https://www.lippe.org.au/
Empowering Indigenous Leadership in Pharmacy Education
LIPPE places a strong emphasis on Indigenous leadership, believing that culturally safe pharmacy practice can only be achieved when Indigenous voices guide the education and training process. By empowering Indigenous leaders, the network ensures that their values and knowledge shape the way pharmacy services are delivered to First Nations peoples.
The network builds on previous work done by the APC and other groups like the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network, continuing a long-standing commitment to improving healthcare education for Indigenous communities. Bronwyn Clark, APC’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am humbled and proud that we have taken this step to support our profession to provide culturally safe care for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. They are this country’s first pharmacists and we have so much to learn.”
Cultural Safety and the Importance of Continuous Learning
One of LIPPE’s key objectives is to embed cultural safety into all aspects of pharmacy education, not just for students but for practicing pharmacists as well. This is crucial because pharmacists often serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and it’s important they have the skills and understanding needed to provide respectful and effective care.
The network aims to support pharmacy educators and professionals in creating a learning environment that respects and incorporates First Nations perspectives. Participants in LIPPE webinars have committed to a range of actions, from revising their teaching methods to learning Indigenous languages and supporting Indigenous students. These pledges reflect the shared goal of making healthcare more inclusive and culturally competent.
Future of Lippe
The LIPPE Network is more than just an initiative—it’s a movement toward transforming pharmacy education for future generations. It seeks to create a lasting, positive impact by promoting cultural safety and ensuring that Indigenous leadership is at the forefront of this transformation.
By bringing educators, students, and healthcare professionals together, LIPPE aims to build a more inclusive healthcare system that truly meets the needs of all Australians, including First Nations peoples.
Through webinars, resources, and a collaborative network, LIPPE invites everyone in the pharmacy profession to join this journey and contribute to a better, more culturally responsive healthcare future.
