Team approach to patient care a win for all

Friday, 31 January 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes changes to the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) which come into effect tomorrow and are designed to increase consumer access to an expanded primary care team of experts committed to improving every patient’s health.

 

“For the first time, pharmacists will be included as one of the allied health professionals general practices can engage through the Workforce Incentive Program,” PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said.

 

“Research shows integrating a pharmacist into the primary care team can improve health outcomes for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease; and reduce medicine-related problems, total number of medicines and inappropriately prescribed medicines.”

 

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has also welcomed the changes, with RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon noting “This is a positive development. The RACGP values team-based models of care in which a range of healthcare professionals can contribute towards patient health outcomes, maximising use of their skills within their scope of practice.”

 

While PSA commends the Commonwealth for supporting general practices to employ pharmacists, it is concerned the funding cap will limit practices’ ability to do so.

 

In its recent Federal Budget submission, PSA called for the value of the WIP per Standardised Whole Patient Equivalent and the upper limit cap on larger general practices to both be increased by 50 per cent.

 

“We estimate integrating pharmacists into general practice would yield a net saving of $544.87 million to the health system over four years,” A/Prof Freeman revealed.

 

“In the meantime, PSA would encourage general practices and pharmacists to consider the opportunity the current expansion of the WIP creates and consider how they can work together to improve health outcomes in their local community.”

 

PSA recommends that all pharmacists who want to work in general practice complete the PSA General Practice Pharmacist: Foundation Stage Training Program as a minimum training requirement.

 

A general practice pharmacist works collaboratively with GPs and other health professionals to support the quality use of medicines. The role is complementary to the role of pharmacists working in other settings. PSA’s training program has modules on working with other health professionals as well as a module on collaborating with community pharmacists.

 

 

“Over 150 pharmacists have completed general practice pharmacist training through PSA. This provides a skilled and willing cohort of medicine experts ready and able to be part of the general practice team,” A/Prof Freeman said. “This is a great start and we look forward to growing this workforce in the future.”

 

PSA also provides a wide range of practice support tools including the Guidelines for General Practice Pharmacists, activity checklists and needs assessment for General Practice Pharmacists.

 

General practice pharmacist Katja Naunton-Boom has seen the impact an expanded care team has on patient health: Patients have access to multiple health professional in one visit; for example, seeing the nurse for a care plan or health assessment; then seeing the pharmacist to review their medication, check for interactions, side effects, check if doses are correct check if they still need all the medication, write a medication list; then discuss the recommendations with the nurse and the doctor. Any changes needed can be made on the spot. I can then explain any changes to the patient. I can communicate with their usual community pharmacy and if necessary, follow up over the telephone to see how the patient is going after the changes are made.

 

 

Originally employed by a general practice as part of a trial, the response from patients, doctors and other health professionals to Katja’s engagement in the care team was so positive the practice continued the role.

 

“It is great to see pharmacists in general practice recognised as part of the WIP. It is certainly a step in the right direction but I do think more funding is needed so that a pharmacist and a nurse can be employed by a GP practice,” Mrs Naunton-Boom said.

 

Further information about training and other practice support for pharmacists working in general practice can be found at www.psa.org.au/gppharmacist.

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

Patients to benefit with funding to expand pharmacists role

Wednesday, 29 January 2020

 

Lives will be saved and health outcomes improved through fully using the expertise and accessibility of Australia’s pharmacists, providing a positive return on investment, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has emphasised in its 2020-21 Federal Budget Submission.

 

“Accessibility to health care is a major challenge in this country,” National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said. “Some members of our community do not get the health care they need and deserve. As our population ages and the number of people with chronic conditions continues to rise, we need to be innovative and use our resources efficiently.

 

“Our healthcare system will benefit from improvements to patients’ health and wellbeing through the better use of pharmacists’ knowledge and expertise. Older Australians, particularly those in aged care, rely on medicines as part of their treatment but are particularly vulnerable to medicine-related harm. Ninety eight per cent of aged care residents have at least one medication related problem.

 

“Over half of aged care residents are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine. What we know from the Aged Care Royal Commission interim report is that this is often a sedative or psychotropic medicine that can make them drowsy and more likely to experience a harm. It has been estimated the use of psychotropic medicines in aged care is only clearly justified in about 10 per cent of cases.”

 

PSA is seeking resources and support to enable pharmacists working in aged care to improve the safer use of medicines for patients. Funding of $8.7 million over four years would establish a Medicine Safety in Aged Care Resources and Support program which would develop, disseminate, implement and evaluate evidence-based resources for aged care facilities and reduce the current reliance on high-risk medicines.

 

Associate Professor Freeman said Australians living in rural and remote parts of the country were one of the main groups to struggle with health care accessibility, many having to travel great distances to see a GP or go to hospital. Rural and remote patients tend to turn to their pharmacist, who are often the only health care provider in a community.

 

“It has been very clear during the recent bushfire emergency the role of rural pharmacists and their willingness to step up in times of need. We want to be able to support our rural pharmacists to do more to be able to help their communities,” he said.

 

“Investing in a Rural Pharmacy Enhanced Services Program will help keep pharmacists in the bush and support delivery of services such as smoking cessation, chronic disease management, health screening, wound care and mental health triage and referral.”

 

The use of opioid medicines in Australia has increased dramatically in recent decades associated with increasing use in the management of chronic pain and post-surgical pain.

 

“Tragically, over three Australians die each day from opioid overdose, the majority involving the use of pharmaceutical opioids,” Associate Professor Freeman said. “Between 2007 and 2016, the rate of opioid deaths rose by 62 per cent. In 2016-17, 15.4 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed under the PBS to 3.1 million Australians.”

 
“A collaborative opioid stewardship program, actively supported by pharmacists, will allow us to improve, monitor and evaluate opioid use and increase safety and effectiveness of opioid use and pain management in primary care.”

 

The Commonwealth Government’s Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) strengthens multidisciplinary primary care by supporting general practices to engage allied health professionals including non-dispensing pharmacists.

 

“Pharmacists in primary care make a difference by providing advice and education on medicine safety and quality use of medicines and reducing the risk of medicine problems as patients transition between care providers,” Assoc Prof Freeman explained.

 

“PSA would like this valuable program expanded further. Integrating pharmacists into general practice is expected to yield a net saving of $544.87 million to the health system over four years.”

 

PSA also proposes establishing the role of Chief Pharmacist within the Australian Government Department of Health. The Chief Pharmacist would provide direction and high-level advice on all pharmacy and medicines issues and complement the work of the Chief Medical Officer.

 

A full copy of the PSA Federal Budget Submission is available here.

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

South Australian government announces improved emergency access to medicines for people affected by bushfires

Tuesday, 14 January 2020

 

South Australians affected by the current bushfire crisis will now be able to access full quantities quantity of their Prescription Only Medicines (Schedule 4) without a prescription following an amendment to the Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011, a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

The provision brings South Australia into line with NSW, ACT and Victoria following similar announcements last week. The change in regulation gives the Health Minister the ability to declare an emergency, with pharmacists able to supply standard pack sizes, usually one month’s supply, to people affected by the emergency where it is not practical to get a prescription.

 

Medicines supplied under this regulation will be available at regular PBS prices following an announcement of a temporary expansion to the PBS Continued Dispensing initiative by the Commonwealth Government last Friday. The expanded PBS Continued Dispensing provision takes effect from Monday 13 January 2020 and expires on 31 March 2020.

 

Prior to this special authority being issued, South Australian pharmacists were unable to supply more than three (3) days’ supply of a Prescription Only Medicine without a prescription in an emergency.

 

Kingscote pharmacist, Patrick Tiong who supported people on Kangaroo Island after last week’s devastating fires welcomed the announcement: “Last week when we supported people who had lost their homes, the evacuees as well as tourists and volunteers, the current regulations were far less flexible and it limited our ability to help those affected people. I hope this change will help South Australians who need to continue taking their vital medicines when disaster strikes”
PSA South Australian President Robyn Johns said: “We welcome this morning’s announcement as a sensible move in ensuring people affected by bushfires can get urgent access to their regular medicines.”

 

Controlled Drugs cannot be supplied under this provision.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman also welcomed the move: “PSA has been working with state and territory governments around the country to improve access to prescription medicines in emergency situations. After the current bushfire crisis subsides, we are keen to work collaboratively with all governments to permanently incorporate these more effective and affordable emergency supply provisions into our health system for future disasters.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

ACT joins NSW and Victoria in improving access to medicines for people affected by bushfires

Friday, 10 January 2020

 

People in the ACT affected by the bushfire crisis will now be able to access a standard PBS or manufacturers’ pack quantity of their Prescription Only Medicines (Schedule 4) without a prescription following the issuing of a temporary authority by the ACT Chief Health Officer, a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

The emergency provision brings the ACT into line with New South Wales and Victoria following similar announcements in the past two days. Under the special authority pharmacists will be able to supply standard pack sizes, usually one month’s supply, to people affected by the bushfires where it is not practical to get a prescription.

 

Prior to this special authority being issued, ACT pharmacists were unable to supply more than three (3) days’ supply of a Prescription Only Medicine without a prescription in an emergency.

 

In welcoming the announcement, PSA ACT Branch Vice President Professor Mark Naunton said: “This is a sensible decision made by ACT Health to ensure patients maintain their access to medicines consistent with other affected states in the ACT region. The current bushfire crisis is starting to create an increased demand on Canberra’s pharmacists from patients who have been displaced from NSW and Victoria and are coming into the ACT.”

 

“Our community pharmacists are working incredibly hard to ensure this increased demand is managed to ensure patients are not adversely affected by this crisis, and this change helps pharmacists care for these people.”

 

“ACT’s pharmacists thank the ACT Health CHO for aligning so quickly to the changes made by NSW and Victoria to ensure consistency in emergency access to medicines in what can be a very confusing time for displaced people.

 

Controlled Drugs (Schedule 8) (e.g. opioid pain medicines), anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines and a small number of specialised medicines (‘Appendix D medicines’) cannot be supplied under this provision.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman also welcomed the move: “The ACT is the third jurisdiction to recognise the challenges associated with accessing vital medicines in an emergency. PSA will continue to work with state and territory governments around the country to improve regulations regarding access to prescription medicines in emergency situations.”

 

The special provision takes effect immediately and expires on 31 March 2020. PSA will distribute guidance to Canberra pharmacists in addition to information published on the ACT Health website.

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

 

Download media release

Landmark Special Authority for NSW Residents Affected by Bushfires to Access Essential Medicines Without a Prescription

Wednesday, 8 January 2020

 

New South Wales (NSW) residents affected by the bushfire crisis will now be able to access a standard PBS or manufacturers pack quantity of their Prescription Only Medicines (Schedule 4) without a prescription following the issuing of a special authority by the NSW Chief Health Officer, a move strongly welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

 

Under the special authority announced last night, NSW pharmacists will be able to supply people affected by the bushfires with standard PBS quantities and standard pack sizes of non-PBS medicines without a prescription when where a pharmacist is satisfied there is an immediate therapeutic need and obtaining a prescription is impractical. In most cases, this represents a months’ supply of that medicine.

 

 

Malua Bay Pharmacist, Raj Gupta, has kept his pharmacy doors open in the fires said “Patients I have known for years have come into my pharmacy having lost all their medicines in the fires. When you have lost your home, there is no power or telephone and it might be weeks before you can get in to see a doctor, to turn them away with just a few days of life saving medicines to tide them over because of some bureaucratic rule – it just needs to be fixed.
Prior to this special authority being issued, pharmacists were unable to supply more than three (3) days’ supply of a Prescription Only Medicine without a prescription in an emergency.

 

 

In welcoming the announcement, the PSA NSW Branch President Peter Carroll noted “The current bushfires across NSW have resulted in unprecedented demand on pharmacists working in multiple settings, especially in community pharmacy”.

 

 

“We have heard many stories and first-hand examples of pharmacists going above and beyond in their support of their communities. But up until now, the inability to supply more than three-days’ supply of medicines to people has been an unacceptable barrier to accessing and providing care to people in these disaster affected zones.”

 

 

“This announcement means that people separated from their prescription medicines or prescriptions will be able to access their regular medicines needed for managing chronic health conditions, such as blood pressure, depression, diabetes, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Similar to other emergency supply provisions, Schedule 4 Appendix D medicines (e.g. benzodiazepines) and Controlled Drugs (Schedule 8) (e.g. opioid pain medicines) cannot be supplied under this provision unless authorised by a medical practitioner by telephone, email or facsimile.”

 

 

“We thank the NSW Ministry of Health for responding to this urgent need and issuing this special authority which is vital to ensure NSW residents affected by bushfires can continue access to medicines vital for their health.” Prof Carroll said “We understand this is the first time such a special authority has been issued in Australia.”

 

 

“Unfortunately, emergencies and disasters are regular events in NSW. We are keen to work with the NSW government after this crisis subsides to review how this provision could become engrained in regulation to ensure people are able to access medicines when the next emergency strikes.”

 

 

PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman congratulated the NSW Ministry of Health on this pragmatic and important solution in improving access to medicines in disaster situations. Associate Professor Freeman said “The NSW Government has been the first to listen to calls from the national peak body representing pharmacists. The NSW Government has shown leadership, compassion and a willingness to ensure NSW residents affected by these unprecedented fires can have safe access to medicines in an emergency”.

 

 

“The PSA will continue to advocate on behalf of Australians affected by the bushfires and their amazing and courageous pharmacists who care for them, to have nationally consistent emergency supply rules for medicines without having to foot the bill” said Associate Professor Freeman.
The special provision takes effect immediately and expires on 31 March 2020. PSA will distribute guidance to NSW pharmacists in addition to information published on the NSW Health website.

 

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

 

 

Download media release here

 

Budget boost could help save lives

Health sector unites to turn the tide on medicine safety

Monday 9 December 2019

 

 

Better use of existing funding, leveraging digital health, empowering consumers and the workforce are among the keys to thinking and acting differently on medicine safety.

 

These were the themes resonating at a forum of stakeholders representing the breadth of health care, including government and consumers, held in Canberra today.

 

Convened by the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF), Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA), NPS MedicineWise and academic partners Monash University and University of Sydney, participants were challenged to ‘think differently’ on the safe use of medicines in Australia to turn the tide on this major health challenge.

 

“Medicine safety is a priority for us all and we each have a role to play,” PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said. “It was inspiring to see the sector work together today to proactively identify those measures we can cooperatively pursue to make a real difference and protect patients.”

“Improving medicine safety is not just about spending more money but also about being more strategic with the money that is spent.”
Medicine safety and quality use of medicines was recently declared the 10th National Health Priority Area by Commonwealth and state and territory health ministers.

 

CHF CEO, Leanne Wells, said: “Discussions often returned to how vital it is to have patients actively engaged in their health care decisions and informed about the medicines they are prescribed.

 

“Modern medication offers great benefits but the rate of hospital admissions caused by avoidable medication errors shows the importance of ensuring consumers are informed about their medicines, which is an integral part of broader quality use of medicines.

 

SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels said: “The Medicine Safety Forum represents collaborative medicine leadership, which is crucial to ensuring Australians gain the greatest possible benefit from medicine use.

 

“The successful combination of effective medicine, provided in an accessible manner, with appropriate counselling and care from an expert workforce, will deliver the positive patient outcomes we all seek.”

 

NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris said: “We need to cherish the ethos of quality use of medicines. While Australia’s National Strategy for the Quality Use of Medicines requires an update, the principles of 20 years ago, including the primacy of consumers, is just as relevant today.”

 

The cost of medicine-related harm is significant, estimated at more than $1.4 billion each year.

 

“Today there was deep discussion of the actions we can take to reduce harm from medicines. We will now take the feedback and ideas we received from participants and develop a suite of recommendations and work with relevant stakeholders to implement as a matter of urgency,” Associate Professor Freeman said.

 

“We’d like to thank the more than hundred experts who joined us today and thought outside the box to address one of Australia’s greatest healthcare challenges.
“The depth and number of participants at today’s Forum shows how important this issue is and how committed the health care sector is to improving medicine safety.”

 

A report on the outcomes of the Medicine Safety Forum, including recommendations will now be developed.

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176
Consumers Health Forum – Mark Metherell 0429 111 986
SHPA – Nick Sharp-Paul 0411 098 838

 

Download the media release here

SafeScript to combat medicine misuse

PSA welcomes the launch of Victoria’s real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) program
SafeScript to help tackle rising prescription-drug related deaths.

 

SafeScript will automatically transmit pharmacies’ prescription records for high-risk medicines to a
centralised database. It will use these records to send notifications to prescribers and pharmacists
when they need to review a patient’s history.

 

PSA Victoria President Benjamin Marchant, who is also a member of the SafeScript Advisory
Group, said PSA played a central role in advocating for the system.

 

“SafeScript is Victoria’s first mandatory clinical decision support system to combat pharmaceutical
misuse,” Mr Marchant said.

 

“We are grateful for the government’s initiative to support pharmacists and prescribers to improve
quality of care and ultimately reduce overdose deaths related to opioids.”

 

SafeScript will monitor all Schedule 8 medicines and Schedule 4 benzodiazepines, z-drugs and
quetiapine.

 

After the launch of SafeScript at Ballarat Base Hospital yesterday by the Victorian Health Minister
Jill Hennessy, SafeScript starts in Western Victoria Primary Health Network today and will be
implemented across Victoria by early next year.

-ENDS-

 

Media contact:

Jarryd Luke

Senior Communications Officer