Gary West is a registered pharmacist with over 35 years of experience in the profession. He has been a community pharmacy owner, a locum pharmacist and a sessional practitioner at Griffith University School of Pharmacy, tutoring in professional practice courses. Gary has had a long-term involvement with intern training and assessment in Queensland. He is one of the PDL Professional Officers and is the Chair of the PDL Qld Local Advisory Committee. His areas of interest include student and intern education and assessment, supporting and assisting pharmacists to engage in professional practice and managing complaints and notifications against PDL members. Gary was presented with the PSA (Qld) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Jess is a registered pharmacist with almost 15 years of extensive experience in community pharmacy. She has been a managing pharmacist, proprietor and group compliance manager. Jess is one of five PDL Professional Officers and is on the Local Advisory Committee for NSW and the ACT. Her areas of interest include Schedule 8, vaccination and proprietor legislation. Jess is passionate about supporting and educating pharmacists on risk minimisation and management strategies.
Naomi Lim is a Professional Officer at PDL and Chair of the Victorian Local Advisory Committee. With experience across public and private hospitals, community pharmacy, Aboriginal health, IVF and academia, she brings a broad and informed perspective to her work. Skilled in risk, project and change management, Naomi connects meaningfully with members through her diverse professional and personal experiences. Naomi represents PDL on a range of project advisory groups, working alongside industry stakeholders to bring a risk-informed perspective to broader sector efforts. At PDL, she leads initiatives focused on reducing practitioner distress related to regulatory notifications. Naomi advocates for self-care and mental wellbeing as proactive risk management strategies and essential components of professional resilience.
Kylie has been a practising pharmacist for more than 18 years, with experience in public and private hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy management, compounding and medicinal cannabis supply. In recent years, an interest in broadening her knowledge across a range of pharmacy environments led her to experience online pharmacy and IVF clinic practice. Kylie also enjoys working as a casual oral examiner for the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Her areas of interest include diabetes education, compounding, vaccination and expansion of scope of practice for pharmacists.
Claire is a registered pharmacist with over 20 years of experience, across a range of practice areas including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, justice health and clinical education. She has worked with and for various pharmacy and health organisations in roles involving policy and regulation, workforce, quality improvement, scope of practice and clinical governance. Claire has experience in standards development, accreditation and quality management systems in both pharmacy education and practice settings. Claire brings her expertise and interest to the role of PDL Professional Officer and a member of the NSW/ACT Local Advisory Committee.
Paul was appointed Director of the APPco board in 2009 and Chair in 2013. In 2014, Paul was elected the PDL Director for VIC and in 2017 was appointed the Chairman of the PDL Board. Paul is also the Founder and CEO of Fred IT Group.
Celia was appointed as the PDL Director for Western Australia in September 2017. She currently serves as a Director and Deputy Chair of the Pharmaceutical Society of Western Australia and holds positions on three other boards. Additionally, Celia is an examiner for the pharmacy oral exams on behalf of the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA). She co-owns a rural pharmacy in Western Australia, working alongside three pharmacist sisters. Celia's areas of expertise encompass intern training, examination, governance, leadership, investment, and mentoring.
Bruce was appointed as the PDL Director for Queensland in October 2024. He is the Chief Pharmacist for the LiveLife Pharmacy Group and a partner in five LiveLife pharmacies in the Central Queensland area. Bruce is also credentialed to perform Home Medication Reviews and finds this a rewarding aspect of his career. He has been a past Director of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, past President of the PSA Queensland Branch and also inaugural Chairman of the Central Queensland Medicare Local (now known as PHNs). Outside of work, he enjoys aviation and travelling.
Kirstie works as the Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Education in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University. Kirstie has been a member of the Victorian Local Advisory Committee since 2009 and became a Director in 2017.
Paula was elected PDL Director for SA and NT in October 2024. She is the Pharmacy Manager at a HPS Pharmacies site for a private hospital in Adelaide, overseeing the provision of pharmacy services including dispensing, clinical and oncology pharmacy. Paula is passionate about developing and training students, interns and earlier career pharmacists as well as risk management and governance relating to medication safety.
Elected to the PDL Board in October 2025, Ben brings over 30 years of multifaceted experience across community pharmacy, regulatory affairs, public health, and professional governance.
A hands-on proprietor and Full Scope of Practice pharmacist (JCU Cohort 4), Ben combines frontline insight with strategic leadership.
His career spans active accreditation since 1997, digital health implementation, and national policy engagement. Ben has held Health Minister appointments on the Pharmacy Board of Australia (serving for eight years) and the Hunter New England Local Health District Board in NSW, contributing to clinical governance and system safety.
Ben is deeply committed to supporting pharmacists’ professional integrity and wellbeing. Ben is a Fellow of AICD (Company Directors) and his focus on risk mitigation, practitioner advocacy, and continuous improvement reflects PDL’s mission to protect and empower its members.
Local Advisory Committees (LACs) also operate across all states of Australia. The LACs’ role and duty are to:
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.