The founder of Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation (PALS), Jenny Kirschner, recently had the opportunity to speak to parliament about the potential of using pharmacy to address loneliness. The Parliamentary Friends of Ending Loneliness breakfast took place at Parliament House yesterday morning, kicking off the Australian Loneliness Awareness Week as well as launching the Social Connection in Australia State of the Nation Report 2023. Kirschner was joined by speakers including Ministers Andrew Giles, Bridget Archer, and Dr Andrew Leaigh, plus Dr Hugh Mackay and others from Medibank and AIA. Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, and pharmacist, Emma McBride, was also in attendance. PALS is the first international pharmacy initiative that aims to raise awareness and address loneliness and social isolation to improve the health of patients and society – learn more here. Pictured: Kirschner at Parliament House with Johanna Badcock, Director Evidence and Training Ending Loneliness Together.