Championing access to core palliative care medicines for people receiving end-of-life care
8 May 2025
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is continuing its leadership in quality use of medicines as part of a new consortium led by Palliative Care Australia, set to deliver targeted education to prescribers, pharmacists and aged care nurses on critical palliative medicines.
Supported by the Australian Government’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) Program, the Quality Use of Community Palliative Care Medicines Project combines the expertise of Palliative Care Australia, PSA, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, and Ageing Australia to improve medicine safety and the safer use of the first nationally agreed National Core Community Palliative Care Medicines List.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the consortium builds on PSA’s continued leadership in quality of use of medicines, ensuring that pharmacists are equipped to support and meet the complex needs of palliative care patients.
“Our role in supporting appropriate and safe use of medicines is even more important for palliative patients, where timely access to core medicines, particularly those that provide urgent symptom relief, can significantly impact patient comfort and quality of life.
“With 90 per cent of Australians wanting to be cared for at home, this project will further develop important education and resources for pharmacists supporting palliative patients and carers with the medicines they need to be manage pain and symptoms” Associate Professor Sim concluded.
Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia, added:
“This project will support pharmacists, GPs, nurse practitioners, and aged care nurses with vital education on critical palliative care medicines.
“Timely access to these medicines is essential to reduce suffering, avoid unnecessary hospital transfers and respect the wishes of many Australians who would prefer to die at home or in a community setting.”
Resources are currently in development and will be available to all pharmacists, free of charge.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
