The essential medicines adviser

Bernadette Cappello MPS has gone from community pharmacy, through the federal Department of Health to the World Health Organization in Geneva.

What led you into pharmacy initially and what were your aims?

I was 7 years old when I decided I wanted to be a pharmacist. My parents encouraged my career plans – that certainly helped. I got my start as a pharmacy assistant when I was 13 and never wavered from my goal. (I still have the reference from that first job, which refers to my youthful ‘ambition’). After graduating, I worked as a community and consultant pharmacist in Canberra for 13 years. Goal achieved.

You moved, then, to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee?

It was a huge career change; the juxtaposition of a pharmacist and a civil servant. I’d moved away from the front-line pharmacist/patient interface. Eventually, I realised I was helping a larger number of people access affordable medicines and that was very professionally satisfying and fulfilling. And I learned a lot. Despite working for so long delivering medicines to patients through the PBS, I knew little of the evidence-based mechanism behind the inclusion of medicines on the PBS.

How did you wind up at the World Health Organization (WHO)?

A close colleague at the PBAC, who had previously worked for WHO as secretary of the Essential Medicines List expert committee, kindly introduced me to her WHO contacts and recommended me for a position there based on my experience and skill set. I moved to Geneva (well, actually to a small village in neighbouring France) in October 2014 with an initial 6-month contract as a pharmacist with the Essential Medicines team, responsible for the revision and updating of the EML. I have been here ever since.

What are the biggest challenges adapting to global, rather than local needs as a pharmacist in this position?

Recognising the different national priorities, disease burdens and health system capacities to provide access to quality, affordable essential medicines. Regional representation and perspectives from countries of all income levels is critical to recommendations for the inclusion of medicines on the EML. It is a global tool to support countries in the development of their national essential medicines and reimbursement lists, but there is no true ‘one size fits all’ at the global level. [Availability and affordability of medicines in different settings can vary hugely.]

An essential medicine that is easily accessible and affordable for patients in Australia may be completely out of reach for patients in a low- or middle-income country. Working to make such a medicine accessible and affordable globally is a big challenge. Including a medicine on the EML is an important step in helping achieve this.

Are you working amid COVID-19 shutdowns?

Yes. The majority of WHO staff in Geneva are currently required to work from home. Alongside the emergency response, the normative work of WHO will carry on, just under rather different circumstances.

Any tips for working for WHO or any overseas organisation dealing with medicines?

Consider further study and don’t necessarily limit yourself to medicines. Learn one (or more) official UN language. Watch the UN Jobs website and others for non-government organisations (e.g. Médecins Sans Frontières). Develop and expand your professional network. Read voraciously. Don’t be scared.

Further resources

Want to find out more about different career pathways for pharmacists? Visit www.psa.org.au/careerpathways