Leading NSW pharmacists honoured

Friday, 6 March 2020

 

Forbes based pharmacist Sarah Hazell has received the NSW pharmacist of the year award at the Annual Celebration of Excellence in Pharmacy, hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll presented the award to Ms Hazell at the Crown Plaza in Terrigal on Friday night.

 

Jennifer Culverson won the NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the year award and Michael Flannery was presented with the NSW Lifetime Achievement honour.

 

Professor Carroll congratulated Ms Hazell for her continued commitment in providing positive health outcomes to the local community.

 

“Sarah has a great understanding of the Forbes local community and has shown a real focus on developing not just pharmacists’ career progressions but also pharmacy assistants, nurses and dispensary technicians,” said Professor Carroll.

 

“Among many of her achievements, Sarah has enhanced indigenous health by initiating a QUMAX agreement with local medical centres, also developing a health hub with health professionals utilising clinic rooms such as Podiatrists, a Registered Nurse, an Audiometrist and Physiotherapists.

 

“Sarah is a leader in her community and a mentor to young pharmacists and is a well-deserved winner of this award.”

 

Jennifer Culverson from Orange was also recognised for her achievements, receiving the NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year award.

 

“Not only is Jennifer heavily involved in the education of pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University, she has also played a key role within the respiratory space on the medical ward at Orange Health Service over the past twelve months,” Professor Carroll said.

 

“Jennifer has the upmost respect from her colleagues and has shown outstanding commitment to expand the pharmacists’ role within the hospital setting through research and innovation.

 

“Over a period of time, Jennifer has demonstrated admirable qualities and displayed a high level of drive, determination and passion to extend the role of a pharmacist in the rapidly changing field of healthcare.”

 

Jennifer was also the recipient of the PSA/Bayer ECP grant valued at $8,500, which supports early career pharmacists in attending the main conference program at PSA’s Offshore Conference in Edinburgh and Belfast in 2020.

 

Professor Carroll also congratulated Sydney based pharmacist Michael Flannery who was presented with the NSW Lifetime Achievement award.

 

“Michael is the perfect example of the community pharmacist and has shown terrific passion and dedication to the pharmacy profession over many years.

 

“Managing Director and founder of Instigo, Micahel is also the founder of Pharmacy Catalyst and CEO of Life Pharmacy Group that has numerous examples of partners who Michael has mentored and supported from school student, through cadetship, to intern to Pharmacist and through to owner.

 

“Michael has also represented the pharmacy industry nationally and internationally as well as sitting on a number of committees and working groups.”

 

PSA Contact: Simone Diamandis: 0414 574 754

Government decision will protect more SA children from influenza

Friday, 6 March 2020

 

South Australian children will have increased access to life saving vaccinations thanks to changes in pharmacists’ scope of practice announced today by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade.

 

“Last year we saw South Australia hit by one of the worst flu seasons on record and the best way to protect our community in the future is through immunisation,” Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) South Australian President, Robyn Johns said.

 

“The more barriers we can remove to people getting vaccinated the better. The goal is herd immunity, having as many members of our community protected from infectious diseases like the flu as possible.

 

“Research shows consumers find pharmacies highly accessible because there is usually one in our neighbourhood or nearby and they are generally open longer hours than other primary health care services.

 

“Pharmacists already provide a range of vaccinations including flu vaccinations for South Australians 16 years and over. Now, pharmacists can extend this proven, safe service to children 10 years of age and above.”

 

“The Government is to be commended for bringing South Australia into line with pharmacist vaccination in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, leading the way for other jurisdictions.”

 

Pharmacists authorised to provide vaccination services are trained in the administration of medicines. Pharmacists’ training to administer vaccines is similar to that completed by other health care professionals. The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, indigenous health workers and other immunisers.

 

“We believe this decision will protect more South Australians from influenza by increasing immunisation rates within our community at a time when people are concerned about protecting themselves from the communicable diseases,” Ms Johns said.

 

“We need people to be protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly at this time when there are concerns about the impact of coronavirus in our community.”

 

PSA continues to advocate for a national approach to pharmacist administered vaccinations to reduce confusion, ensure better access for patients to quality vaccination services and utilise the pharmacist workforce appropriately.

 

Media contact: Helen Stone, 0418 846 426

Pharmacists to boost influenza vaccination rates for children in NSW

Pharmacists in New South Wales will be able to administer the influenza vaccination to children aged 10 and above, in a move announced by the NSW Government that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

PSA NSW Branch President, Professor Peter Carroll, congratulated NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on today’s announcement to enable pharmacists to better protect the community from influenza from mid-March.

 

“This is a significant announcement from the NSW Government and will protect younger children from influenza and significantly increase immunisation rates in the state,” he said.

 

“During 2019, NSW recorded the highest confirmed cases of influenza in Australia with children particularly susceptible to the flu. Studies have found that less than a third of children are being immunised each flu season and influenza causes a substantial number of ICU admissions in Australian children each year.”

 

Professor Carroll said NSW children would now be better protected from influenza as today’s announcement would allow families greater access to the vaccine and was particularly timely with the upcoming flu season.

 

“Allowing pharmacists to vaccinate makes it more convenient for families, providing greater access to the influenza vaccine and improving rates of immunisation,” he said.

 

“Already, this year there has been 4,725 confirmed cases of influenza in NSW and with the likely convergence of a COVID-19 pandemic with winter influenza, this move will help to bolster immunity in NSW.

 

“Boosting vaccination rates and preventing influenza outbreaks can ease pressure on our GP surgeries and hospital emergency departments.

 

Professor Carroll said as the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has previously advocated, including most recently in PSA’s NSW pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to improve access to influenza vaccinations for adolescents.

 

“PSA commends the NSW Government and NSW Health for continuing to progress recommendations made to better protect the community,” he said.

 

Media contact: PSA NSW State Manager, Simone Diamandis – (02) 9431 1100

Leading SA and NT pharmacists honoured

Respected Northern Territory pharmacist Shelley Forester has received the SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year Award at the Annual Celebration of Excellence in Pharmacy hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon Stephen Wade MLC presented the award to Ms Forester at the Adelaide Pavilion on Friday night.

 

Dr Renly Lim from South Australia won the SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist Development Award and Raymond Truong was presented with the 2019 PSA Gold Medal.

 

PSA SA/NT President Robyn Johns congratulated Ms Forester and commended her significant contribution in the establishment and operation of the Maningrida Pharmacy service with Mala’la Health Service in 2014.

 

“This service was a pioneer of how a community pharmacy and an ACCHO can collaborate to improve the access to a pharmacist for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Ms Johns.

 

“Shelley has been a longtime supporter of the NT Pharmacy Program and is a critical supporter of local PSA initiatives including the Early Career Pharmacist and My Health Record.”

 

“Not only is Shelley a terrific mentor for early career pharmacists but she has also shown a commitment in hiring NT interns and is a worthy recipient for the SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year award in recognition of her tireless dedication to NT Pharmacy.”

 

President elect of the Young Pharmacists’ Group FIP Dr Renly Lim received the SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist Development Award.

 

“Dr Lim is an outstanding early career research pharmacist who is significantly contributing to the development of the pharmacy profession nationally and internationally,” said Ms Johns.

 

“Not only is Dr Lim an existing leader for young pharmacists internationally, she was also lead author of PSA’s Medicine Safety report, providing the evidence which led to quality use of medicines and medicine safety becoming Australia’s 10^th national health priority.”

 

Ms Johns also congratulated PSA Gold Medal winner Raymond Truong, who completed the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at the University of South Australia in 2019.

 

“Raymond is entering his intern year and is a well-deserved winner of the 2019 PSA Gold Medal Award.”

 

Media contact: Helen Stone 0418846426

 

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Increased Home Medicine Review caps from March 2020 will help reduce the harm caused by medicines

Friday, 28 February 2020

 

Australia’s elderly will be better supported to avoid medicine-related harm under a relaxing of caps restricting access to Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) announced today.

 

In changes announced today, accredited pharmacists will be able to provide up to 30 HMRs per month from 1 March 2020, an increase of the current 20 HMRs per month cap which has existed since February 2014.

 

“PSA welcomes this change which will help increase consumer access to HMRs across the country,” National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said. “PSA have been calling for better access to medicine reviews for some time, most recently through recommendations contained in our Medicine Safety: Aged care report released earlier this week.”

 

“Medicine-related problems lead to 250,000 hospital admissions each year costing $1.4 billion annually. Medicine review services undertaken by accredited pharmacists, such as HMRs, are a key way in which problems with medicines are identified and resolved in partnership with consumers and their general practitioner.”

 

Home Medicine Reviews not only can improve a patient’s quality of life, but can save lives. We know that patients who take more than one medicine can be at risk of major problems associated with their medicines. Home Medication Reviews can improve the outcomes from medicine use in Australia, said Associate Professor Freeman.

 

“Our members have told us of significant delays consumers have experienced waiting for the calendar to tick over to the next month before being able to receive a HMR from their pharmacist who has hit their HMR cap for the month”, Associate Professor Freeman said. “Australians living in rural and remote parts of the country are one of the main groups to struggle with health care accessibility. The cap of 20 HMRs per month particularly hits hard on consumers living in rural communities where there is usually no other accredited pharmacists available to provide the service.”

 

“PSA has called for the removal of these caps since their inception. We would like to thank the Minister for Health for this announcement today on behalf of all pharmacists and their patients. We are pleased with today’s announcement as a first step and we are committed to continue working with Government to further improve access to medicine review services.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

Medicine safety in aged care is a game of Russian roulette

A new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia shows that medicine safety for our older Australians is a game of Russian roulette and our most vulnerable are unnecessarily being put at risk every day.

 

“Our Medicine Safety: Aged Care report sounds an urgent alarm that medicine safety in aged care must be tackled without delay,” said Pharmaceutical Society of Australian (PSA) National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman.

 

“The Royal Commission has shone a light on significant shortcomings in residential aged care. Unfortunately, our report has found we are also neglecting vulnerable older Australians when it comes to protecting them from medicine-related harms.

 

“One of the most shocking findings of our report is that 20 per cent of unplanned hospital admissions for aged care residents are a result of inappropriate medicines use.”

 

Half of all residents are taking medicines that cause sedation or confusion, with 20 per cent taking antipsychotics and more than half of these residents taking these medicines for far too long.

 

“While medicines are meant to help patients, in many instances these types of medicines can make symptoms worse, cause excessive drowsiness and make residents more likely to experience significant injury from a fall,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“Pharmacists are medicine experts and in collaboration with other health professionals and carers can help identify and diminish the risk of medicine side-effects and harmful interactions. One way pharmacists already do this is through medication reviews.

 

Currently, these can generally only be conducted once every two years. When they are, nearly all aged care residents have at least one problem with their medicines and most have three problems.

 

The Government has gone some way to addressing this by providing $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home, and new restrictions and education for prescribers on the use of medication as a chemical restraint.

 

“The Commonwealth Government has recognised the need to address medicine safety and quality use of medicines and declared medicine safety as the 10^th National Health Priority Area.

 

This commitment needs to translate into actions and sustainable funding. When it comes to protecting older Australians, we must support pharmacists to spend more time in aged care and enable them to conduct more frequent medication reviews and follow-ups.

 

“Pilot programs which have embedded pharmacists in the aged care team have achieved demonstrable improvements in medicine safety and quality use of medicines.”

 

Jean Fry who is a resident of Goodwin David Harper House said there were many benefits of having a pharmacist in residential aged care homes.

 

“In my opinion, every nursing home should have its own pharmacist to help residents maintain independence and safety regarding their medications,” Jean said.

 

And Peter Heaume, son and representative of parents Jane and Ern who have both been aged care residents said it was invaluable having a pharmacist take the time to explain each drug and its purpose to him.

 

“It gave me confidence that I could make an informed decision and both understand and agree to the changes proposed. I found it very informative and also beneficial,” he said.

 

Pharmacists in aged care can provide training and advice on medicines to support others involved in the care of residents.

 

“Aged care staff, trying to do the right thing, often alter medicines. For example, if a resident finds it difficult to swallow, they may crush a medicine, not realising this can negatively impact its efficacy,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA has a 10-point plan to protect our older Australians from medicine harm and is calling on the Commonwealth to implement these recommendations in order to keep aged care residents safe.

 

“Pharmacists are key to improving the quality and safe use of medicines in aged care. We look forward to working with the Government, the aged care sector, other healthcare professionals, residents and families to improve this untenable situation,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

Queenslanders to access travel vaccinations from pharmacists

Pharmacists in Queensland will be able to protect more Queenslanders against vaccine-preventable diseases, including those that are recommended prior to travel, in a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Trained pharmacists in Queensland will be able to administer cholera, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa); diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis (dTpa-IPV); Haemophilus influenza type B; hepatitis A; meningococcal ACWY; poliomyelitis; and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines to people aged 16 years and above.
In addition, trained pharmacists will be able to administer the influenza vaccination to people aged 10 years and above.

 

PSA Queensland President Chris Campbell welcomed the announcement from Queensland Health Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young to expand pharmacist-administered vaccinations services in Queensland, and in particular to lower the minimum vaccination age from 16 years to 10 years for influenza vaccinations in readiness for the 2020 influenza season.

 

“This is particularly important given Queensland had a record breaking flu season in 2019 with more than 68,000 cases ’ Mr Campbell said. “Most Australians visit their pharmacist around 14 times a year. This high level of accessibility, combined with the trust consumers have in the profession, will encourage more people to get immunised.”

 

Mr Campbell commended the government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more Queenslanders from influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

“Less than 40% of at-risk adults are considered to be fully vaccinated, and allowing trained pharmacists to administer more vaccines and to a wider cohort will significantly increase immunisation rates within the community,” he said.

 

“The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, Indigenous Health Workers and other immunisers. It increases immunisation rates and has a positive effect on the health of Queenslanders.

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has advocated for many years, including most recently in PSA’s Queensland pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to deliver more vaccinations to a wider age range of patients and for provision of pharmacist access to NIP stock. We will continue to work closely with the Queensland Government to achieve this.”

 

Pharmacists in Queensland have been instrumental in progressing pharmacist-administered vaccination services in Australia through the Queensland Pharmacists Immunisation Pilot (QPIP) in 2014.

 

PSA commends the Queensland Government and Queensland Health for continuing to progress the recommendations of the recent Pharmacy Inquiry by making use of pharmacists’ expertise and training to better protect the community against vaccine-preventable diseases through expansion of pharmacist-administered vaccinations.

 

 

Media contact: Mark Lock 0406 609 671

 

 

Notifiable conditions annual reporting. Brisbane: Queensland Health; 2020. At: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/surveillance/reports/notifiable/annual

 

Menzies RI, Leask J, Royle J, MacIntyre CR. Vaccine myopia: adult vaccination also needs attention. The Medical Journal of Australia. 2017 Apr 3;206(6):238–9.

Innovative program improving health care across Barossa

Thursday, 20 February 2020

 

An innovative program designed to improve health care across the Barossa region has quickly demonstrated how integrating pharmacists into the primary care team improves treatment outcomes and reduces the risk of medication errors.

 

Funded by the Country SA PHN and delivered in partnership with PSA, the Pharmacist in General Practice project is underway in Tanunda, Kapunda and Angaston.

 

“Medicine is the most common way we treat health conditions in Australia,” PSA SA/NT Branch President, Robyn Johns said. “While medicines can be very good for us, unfortunately medication can also cause harm. PSA’s own research has found 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year, with another 400,000 presenting to emergency departments, as a result of medication errors, inappropriate use, misadventure and interactions. At least half of these could have been prevented.

 

“PSA believes supporting pharmacists to spend more time in all health care settings is key to improving medicine safety and quality use of medicines. We commend Country SA PHN for initiating this program and working to incorporate pharmacists more comprehensively into the primary health care team.”

 

“Country SA PHN has been concerned about the preventable harm caused by medication mishaps in our communities. We are very pleased to fund and collaborate with the PSA to develop this program to help minimise these harms for our country South Australian communities,” said Country SA PHN Chief Executive Officer, Kim Hosking.

 

“Embedding pharmacists in our general practices is having a positive impact on the health of rural South Australians and can play an important role in minimising the number of medication-related hospital admissions.”

 

Local pharmacist Tanya Tran now spends four days a week in three Barossa general practices providing a range of services including medication reviews, advice and education, and liaison between the general practice, hospitals and community pharmacy.

 

“Since the project got underway in May 2019, patients have found it very valuable to be able to spend as much time as they need with a pharmacist in the general practice setting discussing their medications and any questions they might have,” Ms Tran revealed.

 

A qualified Diabetes Educator, Ms Tran’s engagement in general practice has expanded the support available to patients with this complex condition.
“We have recently conducted a trial designed to help people with diabetes manage their glucose and participants told me it has positively impacted their health and given them a new lease on life,” Ms Tran said.

 

“Part of my work is to liaise closely with community pharmacies in the region and keep up to date on medication availability. In recent months, our region has faced medication shortages and I can ensure general practitioners are not only kept informed of supply issues, but can access my expertise in terms of alternative treatments. I also provide advice on available new medications and medication guidelines. In this role, I can provide another set of eyes when it comes to medicine safety.”

 

Ms Tran has found her involvement in the project highly rewarding. “Working closely with the doctors in the practice and caring for patients has increased my clinical knowledge and ability,” Ms Tran said. “I feel like I learn something every day I am at work and have found this immensely satisfying.”

 

The Pharmacist in General Practice project is currently scheduled to run until June 2021.

 

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

Improving health outcomes for aged care residents in Strathalbyn

Thursday, 20 February 2020

 

A new program designed to improve the health care of aged care residents in Strathalbyn has quickly demonstrated how integrating pharmacists into the care team improves treatment outcomes and reduces medication related harm.
Funded by the Country SA PHN and delivered in partnership with PSA, Strathalbyn was the first region in the state to take part in the Pharmacists in Aged Care project.

 

“On average, aged care residents have 76 prescriptions dispensed a year. The number of medications a person needs to treat their health can impact medication adherence and increase the chance of medication errors,” PSA SA/NT Branch President, Robyn Johns said. “PSA’s own research has found 98 per cent of aged care residents have at least one medication-related problem and over half are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine.

 

“PSA believes supporting pharmacists to spend more time in aged care is key to improving medicine safety and quality use of medicines. We commend Country SA PHN for initiating this program and working to incorporate pharmacists more comprehensively into the primary health care team.”

 

“Country SA PHN has long recognised the problem of medicine safety in residential aged care. We’re very pleased to collaborate with the PSA to develop and fund this program to reduce harm and significantly improve the quality of life for those in residential aged care in rural South Australia,” said Country SA PHN, Chief Executive Officer, Kim Hosking.

 

“As a Primary Health Network, we are also pleased to see that medicine safety has been recognised as a priority by Federal and State Governments in the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Interim Report. We’re delighted to see that embedding pharmacists in rural South Australian residential aged care facilities is already having a positive impact on resident’s health and wellbeing.”

 

Since the program began late last year, local pharmacist Stacey Putland has been working one day a week at the Strathalbyn & District Aged Care Facility providing a range of services including medication reviews, advice to care staff, and liaison between the facility and community pharmacy.

 

“Generally, pharmacists are able to provide a Residential Medication Management Review to an aged care resident every two years,” Ms Putland explained. “This is a comprehensive assessment to identify, resolve and prevent medication-related problems. When you consider the number of medications aged care residents take and how frequently their medication may change, two years can be a long time between reviews.”

 

By being present in the facility, Ms Putland can now undertake on the spot medication reviews and follow up based on resident need.

 

The recent interim report of the Aged Care Royal Commission highlighted concerns around the use of psychotropic medications in aged care. Ms Putland believes this is another health care challenge the program can help to address.

 

“Our care team has already been able to cooperatively assess a number of residents taking high-risk medicines and either reduce or cease their dose,” Ms Putland said. “My experience suggests that pharmacists can play a valuable role in determining when and how the step down should occur, to ensure the best outcomes for residents. By being on site, I can spend more time getting to know residents and their families, gaining a more in-depth understanding of their individual circumstances and can tailor my advice accordingly.”

 

Ms Putland’s time at the facility enables staff to utilise her medication expertise. “We recently had a resident start a new injectable medicine for treatment of a chronic condition that staff were unfamiliar with. I was able to provide advice around its use and because I spend regular time at the facility, I could catch-up with different staff on different shifts.”

 

“The work I have been able to undertake through this program is incredibly rewarding,” Ms Putland said. “ There’s been great support in this community, from the local community pharmacy, general practitioners, facility staff, residents and their families, even before the project, for a collaborative approach to care. With this project funding we can increase the impact of the pharmacist on medication safety and resident health and well-being.

 

 

The Strathalbyn Pharmacist in Residential Aged Care project is currently scheduled to run until
June 2021.

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176