Community
4 November, 2025
Chemist’s special ‘gift’
SMITHFIELD pharmacist Gift Phillips has been awarded early career pharmacist of the year in the Queensland Pharmacist of the Year Awards 2025.
Ms Phillips has worked at Terry White Chemmart Marlin Coast (previously Marlin Coast Amcal Pharmacy) since 2016 and over the past nine years has cemented herself as one of the leading compounding pharmacists in the state.
“I am so thrilled to receive this award. It feels unbelievable,” she said.
“I love my job and consider it to be a wonderful privilege to help people with their health. I treat my patients like family and to be recognised in this way is an honour.”
The awards are hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, with the early career pharmacist award reserved for pharmacists with less than 10 years’ experience.
Ms Phillips impressed the judges with her exceptional work in pharmacy practice innovation.
“Gift is truly one of a kind and an incredible asset to the Far North Queensland community,” said Terry White Chemmart co-owner Phil Anderson.
“She has spent countless hours furthering her skills in medication compounding, medicinal cannabis and mentoring the next generation of pharmacists,” he said.
Ms Phillips works with paediatric psychiatrist Dr Annelies Lamote to compound ADHD medications (which are usually in tablet or capsule form) into liquids, with more palatable flavours, helping improve young people’s medication acceptance.
She also compounds a prescription cream in conjunction with local dermatologists. Typically, topical chemotherapy creams need to be used for two to three weeks, but her formula means patients can finish their treatment within five to seven days.
She works with local vets to compound medications for animals.
“Gift is one of very few Australian pharmacists to be a qualified full scope pharmacist. She works with local GPs to ensure patients are quickly and accurately diagnosed with a range of medical conditions and prescribes appropriate treatment,” Mr Anderson said.
“There was one time when a patient presented with symptoms of shingles and couldn’t see their GP for two weeks. Gift was able to accurately diagnose and prescribe antiviral medication within 72 hours,” he said.
There have been many occasions when Cairns has been affected by medication shortages and Ms Phillips has been able to compound a solution. “I’ve travelled eight hours to Georgetown to review a patient’s medications. Just because you live in a rural or remote area doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to quality healthcare,” she said.
