Advancing medication safety through national leadership and standards

Recognising leadership in medication safety 

We’re proud to recognise Head of Quality and Medication Safety at Slade Pharmacy, Claire Fitzgerald featured in this landmark edition. 

Claire contributed in two significant ways: 

• Authoring an editorial on medication safety, reinforcing the importance of system-led approaches to reducing medicines harm; and  

• Contributing to the development of the new AdPha Medication Safety Standards, which set out best-practice principles for organisations and specialist pharmacists working in medication safety.  

These contributions reflect Slade Pharmacy’s ongoing commitment to evidence-based practice, strong clinical governance and continuous improvement in medicines management. 

Strengthening systems for safer care  

The AdPha Medication Safety Standards build on global and national efforts to reduce avoidable medication-related harm and recognise that medication safety is a shared responsibility across healthcare. The Standards emphasise leadership, system design, interprofessional collaboration and the critical role of specialist pharmacists in driving sustainable safety improvements.  

Speaking about her involvement, Claire highlighted the importance of collaboration and system-level thinking in medication safety. 

“Medication safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said Claire.  

“Strengthening it requires leadership, collaboration and continued focus on the systems that support safe, high-quality care for patients. 

“I’m so proud of the work we are doing across Icon Group and Slade Pharmacy as we continue to improve medication safety and processes to ensure our hospital partners, customers and most importantly, our patients access high-quality, safe services and care.”  

Shaping policy and practice in medication safety 

In addition to her contributions to the Journal, Claire is an active member of AdPha’s Leadership & Management Committee and Medication Safety Committee. Through this involvement, Slade Pharmacy remains closely engaged with national policy development, professional advocacy and emerging best practice in hospital pharmacy.  

More recently, Claire also participated as a panellist in AdPha’s national webinar, Medication safety: new standards and framework in action, which explored practical implementation of the new Standards and their impact on healthcare systems. 

Continued focus on patient safety 

Slade Pharmacy’s involvement in national standards development and professional leadership reflects a broader commitment to supporting safer care across hospitals and health services, from clinical governance and quality systems through to frontline pharmacy practice. 

The February 2026 issue of the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research is now available online and brings together perspectives from pharmacy leaders, researchers and clinicians dedicated to advancing medication safety and patient outcomes. Learn more.  

Icon Group supports the operations of more than 70 Slade pharmacies across Australia, helping deliver a continued integrated approach to healthcare.