125 stories for 125 years

Mel Blachford

Mel graduated from the college in 1961. Since then he has been a member of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria from 1973 to 1994; President from 1978 to 1982 and owned a pharmacy in partnership with Keith Dempsey in Ascot Vale from 1968 to 1994.

Following the sale of the pharmacy, Mel worked as manager of the Pharmacy Self Care program based at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Victorian office for seven years.

For the past four years, Mel worked at the Pharmacy Guild as state facilitator for the Home Medicines Review program in Victoria. He retired from this position in May 2006. During this time a network of 30 facilitators, mostly pharmacists, was set up to work with the Divisions of General Practice. On retiring, Mel said he was proud of his recent work on the HMR program. ‘The program has helped to break down the barriers between doctors and pharmacists. They now work together for the benefit of their patients.’

He is also the public about medicines. He believes everyone should know the purpose of medications to ensure best outcomes and avoid complications. During his long career he was very active in pre-registration training as an enthusiastic lecturer and small group leader on the principles of OTC prescribing.

Since retiring he is working two days a week as a volunteer in the role as Collections Manager for the Victorian Jazz Archive surrounded by the music he loves.