Totally in the dark on understanding medicines use in disability care

Friday 7 August 2020

 

There is a complete lack of data and clear understanding of medicine use in disability care which is inhibiting our ability to drive improvements and safety.  This must be addressed as a priority to ensure similar trends seen in aged care do not occur, particularly with the inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability highlights this issue and other challenges faced by pharmacists in delivering services that ensure the safe and appropriate supply of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said being well aware of the extent of inappropriate psychotropic medicine use in aged care, PSA has grave concerns that similar trends could be occurring in the disability sector.

 

“It would be a travesty if standards of care around medication management in the disability care sector was also found to be wanting,” he said.

 

“Inappropriately sedating people with disabilities is not care, it’s an abrogation of responsibility.

 

“There is a critical lack of information on medicines use by people with disability and at the moment pharmacists are in handcuffs when it comes to providing essential medication management support and services to people with disability.

 

“Without appropriate data it is not possible to help optimise pharmacological interventions for people with disability, nor improve their quality of life.

 

“Medicine-related data collection with appropriate privacy and data security arrangements is critical to enable co-design and development of robust policies for the disability care sector and to implement best practice medication management for people with disability.”

 

Other recommendations highlighted in the submission call on Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to raise awareness and promote the role of pharmacists to the disability care sector, explore mechanisms for disability care recipients to regularly access pharmacist-delivered services and to explore options for pharmacists to deliver education and training to disability support workers.

 

PSA also recommends that medication management frameworks and models of care developed by Government should integrate the role of pharmacists as well as provide funding for pharmacists to deliver quality use of medicines services to support disability service providers.

 

A/Prof Freeman said pharmacists as medicines experts were the most accessible health practitioners providing essential patient-centred health care services in a professional, ethical and compassionate manner.

 

“Many people with cognitive disability rely on medicines and PSA strongly recommends urgent consideration of mechanisms and arrangements to include pharmacists within the healthcare team to support everyone with disability, if support with their medicines is needed,” he said.

 

“Despite many established and funded medication management programs, it is disappointing that there does not appear to be a clear pathway for people with disability to access these in a considered and structured manner.

 

“PSA urges the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to be more strategic and proactive in enabling partnerships between disability service providers and the pharmacy profession.”

 

Read the submission: https://www.psa.org.au/15388-2/

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

Victoria COVID-19 submission highlights barriers

Friday 31 July 2020

 

The inability to be able to provide medicines and care to residents in the Flemington and North Melbourne public housing towers during lockdown was one of the barriers that has restricted Victorian pharmacists from providing the best possible care to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) submission to the Victorian Public Accounts and Estimates Committee inquiry into the Victorian health response to COVID-19, highlights this issue and other serious challenges faced by Victorian pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

PSA Victorian President John Jackson said pharmacists practicing at nearby community pharmacies reported significant difficulties in providing medicines and care to people in locked-down towers.

 

“PSA understands that pharmacotherapy as well as medicine supply was centrally coordinated through the Royal Melbourne Hospital, however residents have longstanding care relationships with nearby community pharmacies, particularly those who live with complex chronic health conditions, he said.

 

“These pharmacies were open and available to provide care throughout the tower lockdowns and a number were available to provide 24/7 care and medicine supplies on demand.

 

“It is important to use the existing network of providers of pharmacist care and medicine supply when supporting people during the pandemic, including people subject to detention notices, those who are self-isolating on public health grounds or those requiring protective equipment.”

 

Other key issues highlighted in the submission centre around amending regulations, stronger medicine related communication, better protection for pharmacists through access to personal protective equipment and additional penalties for those physically or verbally abusing pharmacists.

 

Mr Jackson said as the pandemic progresses, PSA’s submission outlines a number of improvements needed to better protect Victorians, and to help pharmacists do what they do best, care for the community.

“PSA acknowledges the Victorian Government’s strong health response to COVID-19 and policy decisions, public health orders and funding initiatives aimed at reducing infection rates,” he said.

 

“There are however lessons to be learned. There have been short comings in the consultation with pharmacy groups which led to gaps in the public health emergency orders and public health messages that created confusion for Victorians in accessing medicines, and more conqueringly risked medicine-related harm.

 

“I am incredibly proud of how the profession has stood up as frontline health professionals and cared for the community during the pandemic with over 8000 pharmacists working in community pharmacies, hospitals, aged care facilities, general practice and beyond in Victoria.

 

“Pharmacists are essential workers providing vital face-to-face health care to all Victorians including immunisations, essential medicines and other health supplies.

 

Read the submission: https://www.psa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/31-July-2020-PSA-COVID-19-Victorian-Submission.pdf

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

Vale Dr Harry Nespolon

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Harry Nespolon, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said while PSA hasn’t always seen eye to eye with the RACGP during Dr Nespolon’s tenure, both organisations maintained great respect for one another.

 

“Harry was a pragmatic man, focused on patient care and he will be sorely missed by his patients, colleagues and healthcare in general,” he said.

 

“I admired Harry’s honesty, deep dedication to his profession, and his remarkable quick wit.

 

“Harry was a strong advocate for GPs and their profession and despite battling deteriorating health in recent months he was still able to provide strong leadership and achieve a great deal during the COVID-19 pandemic and will no doubt leave an enduring legacy.

 

“On behalf of PSA I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to his family, friends and many colleagues.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

Kurtis Gray wins 2020 Pharmacy Student of the year award

Kurtis Gray from The University of Western Australia has won the 2020 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Award.

 

The strong field of students competing in the National Finals were presented with a patient via webcam acting out a variety of symptoms.

 

Following a consultation and the ability to ask follow up questions to find out more information, the finalists then recommended a course of treatment and advice to the panel of judges, with Mr Gray declared the winner.

 

“It truly is an honour to be recognised as Pharmacy Student of the Year and I still can’t believe that I won,” he said.

 

“It was a tough competition but a great opportunity for us to put into practice what we have learnt.

 

“I really enjoy providing advice about medication to people who are unwell and this competition enabled me to demonstrate this.”

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman congratulated Mr Gray on his achievement and praised the high level of clinical knowledge and communication skills in this year’s competition.

 

“We saw a very strong field line up this year and it is great to see such talented and passionate pharmacy students showcasing their skills and knowledge,” he said.

 

“This competition provides students with the opportunity to grow and learn with active listening, gaining patient insights and patient understanding important skills that support medicine safety and maximise patient outcomes.

 

“It is heartening to see the future of our profession in good hands and we were impressed with the overall level of knowledge from students during both the state and national finals.”

 

Thomas Duong from Monash University (VIC) was awarded the People’s Choice award with both Mr Gray and Mr Duong contacted by A/Prof Freeman to congratulate them on their awards.

 

This year’s competition was once again sponsored by Mylan, the winner to receive funding for pharmacy specific education.

 

Mylan Australia Product Manager David Lai said the standard of students competing at this year’s PSOTY was impressive again.

 

“It gives me great confidence to know the future of our pharmacy industry lies within the hands of these students, they have excelled beyond my expectations.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

Reusable face masks available for vulnerable Victorians in pharmacies

The Victorian Government has announced it will be distributing 2.1 million reusable face masks to vulnerable Victorians, Aboriginal Victorians and government health workforces who deliver health services.

 

Victorians who meet the eligibility are able to collect masks from a number of local government and community health services including community pharmacies.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Victoria Branch President John Jackson welcomed the announcement and said PSA supported the supply of masks to vulnerable Victorians through community pharmacies as part of the public health program.

 

“Community pharmacies are an easily accessible location for members of the public to access masks and PSA supports this initiative by the Victorian Government,” he said.

 

“Pharmacists can make a judgement themselves on the resourcing they have available to participate.

 

“It is important that people with symptoms of COVID-19 do not present to the pharmacy to collect a mask and that they send someone else to do so.”

 

Following feedback from members, PSA has called on the Victorian Government to ask members of the community not to enter a community pharmacy while displaying any symptoms or waiting for results from a COVID-19 test.

 

Analysis of Victorians diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last two weeks have shown that 90 per cent of people did not self-isolate between getting COVID-19 symptoms and getting tested and 53 per cent did not self-isolate after being tested while awaiting results.

 

Mr Jackson said it is critical that those who are self-isolating or in quarantine do not present at a pharmacy and put pharmacists, pharmacy staff and other members of the community at risk.

 

“We have listened to our members and advocated on their behalf and I call on the government to pass these concerns on to all Victorians,” he said.

 

“Our members have told us that people who are self-isolated are confused as to whether they are to go to a pharmacy to access health care while in self-isolation and inconsistent information provided to people undergoing testing regarding requirements to self-isolate.

 

“To stop community transition and to protect the health of pharmacists and pharmacy staff, if members of the community have been tested or are in self-isolation do not go out into the public.”

 

Mr Jackson also said patients self-isolating or displaying symptoms of COVID-19 who need essential medicines should contact their pharmacy to discuss contactless options.

 

“There are a number of ways patients can access essential medicines from a pharmacy including home delivery services or sending friends and family to collect on your behalf,” he said.

 

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday released further guidance regarding workplace use of face masks with health care workers required to wear a level 1 or type 1 disposable surgical mask in public-facing areas.

 

More information on who is eligible and how to order face masks can be found here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/reusable-face-masks-covid-19.

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

South Australian pharmacists and pharmacy staff now better protected

Pharmacists and pharmacy staff in South Australia will now be better protected following amendments to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 by the South Australian Government.

 

The amended Bill expands the definition of a prescribed emergency worker to include any person working in a pharmacy covering pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and other workers in a pharmacy.

 

The Bill also extends to those providing pharmacy services or assisting the provision of those services at a place other than a pharmacy.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) South Australia Branch President Robyn Johns welcomed the announcement that will ensure pharmacy workers are better protected in South Australia.

 

“We now have extremely strong protection for all pharmacists and pharmacy teams in South Australia and I am grateful for the Health Minister’s support for this amendment,” she said.

 

“Pharmacists and pharmacy staff have been among those frontline health workers who have at times been abused by members of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and this sort of behavior is not okay.

 

“It is important that all pharmacists and pharmacy staff delivering essential health care services to the community feel safe in the workplace and I am glad the South Australian Government have declared zero tolerance for any abusive behavior.”

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman has continually called on all state and territory Governments to implement strong legislation that protects pharmacists, pharmacy staff and other health care workers against abuse from members of the public.

 

PSA wrote to the South Australian Government asking for pharmacists and pharmacy staff to be protected from abuse through legislation.

 

Those found guilty of abusing emergency services workers in South Australia face up to 15 years in prison which is the toughest penalty in the country.

 

 Media contact: PSA SA/NT State Manager Helen Stone: 0418 846 426

SA Health to trial COVID-19 testing in community pharmacies

Sunday, 19 July 2020

 

South Australia (SA) Health has announced a two week pilot that will allow pharmacists to test patients for COVID-19 in a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Up to five metropolitan pharmacies will take part in the pilot and to ensure only ‘incidental’ customers are captured, SA Health will not be promoting the pharmacy-based service during the pilot and will continue to encourage the community to visit a GP or dedicated testing clinic.

 

Eligible pharmacy customers with mild respiratory symptoms will be asked if they want to get tested while they are in the pharmacy. The pilot will assess the feasibility of community pharmacy COVID-19 testing to increase South Australia’s testing capacity.

 

PSA South Australia Branch President Robyn Johns said patients regularly present to a pharmacy with flu-like symptoms to seek advice and treatment which would warrant a COVID-19 test.

 

“As the most accessible healthcare provider, pharmacists are well placed to provide patients with COVID-19 tests which will allow a greater number of people to be tested in South Australia,” she said.

 

“Some patients that enter a pharmacy may not think their symptoms are severe enough to visit the GP or a dedicated testing clinic but as we have seen throughout the pandemic those with mild symptoms can still test positive for COVID-19.

 

“Suitably trained pharmacists are more than capable of delivering such services and I congratulate SA Health for this forward thinking common-sense approach that could lead to testing being available in community pharmacies across South Australia.”

 

SA Health in conjunction with SA Pathology, are providing training to upskill pharmacists in swab collection and infection control so they can provide COVID-19 testing for symptomatic patients.

 

Patients must have a mobile smart phone and register with the SA Pathology Personify website to receive notification about their result.

 

Media contact: PSA SA/NT State Manager Helen Stone: 0418 846 426

PSA COVID-19 Senate submission highlights issues in Australia’s response

Friday 17 July 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Governments response to COVID-19 highlights the serious challenges faced by pharmacists as they were neglected by legislators and left out of key policy responses during the pandemic.

 

Pharmacist across the country rose to the challenge of COVID-19, keeping their doors open to ensure the community had physical access to critical health services and essential medicines.

 

PSA’s submission details the issues experienced by pharmacists, including barriers which restricted pharmacists from providing patients the best possible care during the pandemic. with the submission also tables recommendations to ensure limitations can be proactively adapted into future benefits to all Australians.

 

The key issues highlighted in the submission centres around medicines shortages, digital image prescribing, regulatory confusion between the Commonwealth and State jurisdictions and the challenges with medicine shortages.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the findings in the submission also examined the extraordinary strength and purpose pharmacists demonstrated in supporting Australians under unparalleled pressure and community panic.

 

“Pharmacists and their staff feel forgotten by State and Federal Governments during this pandemic,” he said.

 

“Community pharmacists remained open throughout the entire pandemic to deliver health care and meet the needs of patients, carers and the public.

 

“It is disappointing that pharmacists were not always fully consulted when policy and implementation decisions were being made, including those affecting the pharmacy profession.

 

“There were even cases when the law had to be circumvented in order to provide the care expected by patients due to disparities between State and Federal legislation.

 

“It is necessary to raise concerns and provide recommendations to ensure the Government is prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19 as well as future public health emergencies.”

 

In the submission, PSA provided 15 recommendations including ensuring adequate supply of personal protection, invoking systematic medicine supply restrictions in a timely manner and providing clear public heath messaging.

 

A/Prof Freeman said that while PSA acknowledges the Australian Government’s rapid and decisive response that helped Australia contain the pandemic, this does not mean that there were not lessons to be learnt for the future.

 

“I have no doubt that legislative changes and decisions made by the Government contributed to lower infection rates in the global context however there were challenges in some policies and decisions made that had a negative impact on pharmacists.

 

“In putting forward this submission I hope the good work of pharmacists under extreme pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic is recognised and our recommendations lead to positive change going forward that will help pharmacists support patients and all Australians.”

 

To view the PSA submission please visit: https://www.psa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/200717_Submission_to_Senate_inquiry_into_COVID-19.pdf

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176