Updated guidelines for pharmacists providing nicotine dependence support

26 September 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today released updates to the Guidelines for pharmacists providing smoking cessation support following legislative changes commencing on 1 October 2024.

Together, the professional practice guidelines and treatment guidelines set out clear advice on the legal, professional and ethical standards for pharmacists providing nicotine dependence management services, updated to reflect legislative changes to nicotine vaping products.

PSA Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris said that the release of updated guidelines supports participating pharmacists navigate complex regulatory changes around providing nicotine dependence management services, including nicotine-containing vaping products.

“PSA’s core role is to support pharmacists with best-practice guidelines and support across existing and emerging areas of practice as legislation changes,” Adj. A/Prof Morris said.

“The updated guidelines released today support pharmacists in navigating legislative changes around nicotine-containing vapes coming into effect from 1 October 2024. They are an essential guide not only for pharmacists who choose to provide nicotine vaping products as a Pharmacist Only medicine, but also those who dispense nicotine-containing vapes on prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner.

“There are significant professional and legal obligations upon pharmacists. These obligations are clarified by updated guidelines, including specific requirements for pharmacist consultation, patient identification, determining clinical appropriateness, documentation such as completing SAS notifications and obtaining informed consent from the consumer.

“These guidelines are critical to ensuring patient needs are met while complying with jurisdictional legislative and professional requirements.”

PSA invites pharmacists to attend an online webinar this evening (26 September), as well as a series of workshops aimed at further supporting pharmacists to navigate the complex and rapidly changing regulatory environment involving nicotine dependence management.

“All pharmacists are strongly encouraged to attend both this week’s upcoming webinar and upcoming local workshops which will allow relevant state and territory legislation to be considered in conjunction with national regulation and these guidelines,” Adj. A/Prof Morris said.

Pharmacists can now access the Guidelines for pharmacists providing smoking cessation support. Registrations are essential for upcoming webinars and face-to-face workshops, with limited spaces available. Pharmacists are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible.

The development of the Guidelines for pharmacists providing smoking cessation support has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. The work to develop the guidelines included review by experts, stakeholder feedback, and the consensus of organisations and individuals involved.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

PSA24 closing plenary, PSA25 announced

4 August 2024

PSA24 has come to a close this afternoon in Sydney, with a record number of pharmacists attending the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) national conference.

Addressing pharmacists at the closing plenary this afternoon, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said she is confident about the future of the profession.

“Over the last three days we have heard from Ministers and Shadow Ministers, influential department officials, and leading pharmacists across areas of practice and researchers from both Australia and abroad,” she said.

“We were proud to have the Minister for Health and Aged Care the Honourable Mark Butler MP officially launch Pharmacists in 2030 in a room full of engaged, passionate pharmacists, highlighting our growing roles in addressing the healthcare needs of the future.

“The overwhelming feeling at the closing of PSA24 is excitement for the future. I am lucky to have connected with many members across the weekend and strongly feel that as a profession we will continue meeting and exceeding the challenges before us.

“The months ahead will be critical to setting our profession up for the future and ensuring pharmacists have the tools to deliver for patients. PSA is fully committed to support pharmacists – whether it is workforce development or advocacy, members of the profession can be sure that PSA’s commitment will never fade. My message to the entire profession is that PSA is in your corner, supporting you every step of the way.”

Associate Professor Sim also announced the dates and venue for the 2025 conference.

“I am pleased to announce that PSA25 will again take place at the beautiful International Convention Centre Sydney, from the 1-3 August 2025.

“The PSA National Conference is always a highlight on the pharmacy calendar, so make sure you save the date and join us for an even bigger event in 2025.”​

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

PSA and PSS renewed MOU to continue delivering services to profession

4 August 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) have renewed the Memorandum of Understanding, announced during PSA’s National Conference PSA24 in Sydney.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS welcomed the renewed partnership, commending the PSS for their continued support of the profession.

“PSA is proud to continue our long-term support for the vital work of the Pharmacists’ Support Service to ensure that pharmacists have mental health resources available when they need them.

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“We are immensely proud of the impact that the entire PSS team have on our profession, lending a listening ear to any pharmacist, pharmacy student or intern who may need it. It is with this support that we can provide the best care to our own patients.”

PSS President Curtis Ruhnau MPS thanked PSA for their support.

“We value the support of PSA for our work. PSS is about pharmacists supporting pharmacists and this is reflected by PSA, which represents the breadth of the pharmacy profession, supporting PSS.

“This support extends beyond the commitment to an annual donation, and includes collaboration to ensure pharmacists are aware of PSS and to convey key messages about the importance of pharmacists focusing on their own wellbeing, in order to practice to the top of their scope and meet the needs of the Australian community.”

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Pharmacists to help address loneliness epidemic with world-first training and education

5 August 2024

Marking Loneliness Awareness Week (5-11 August 2024), the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to partner with Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-isolation (PALS) to deliver world-first training for pharmacists to identify and address loneliness as a social and health priority.

Research has shown that loneliness has a significant impact on a person’s physical, cognitive and mental health, including a 26% increased risk of premature death – similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness has also been linked to a 32% increased risk of stroke, a 29% increased risk of coronary heart disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and an increased risk of depression.

Loneliness has significant economic repercussions, costing the Australian economy an estimated $2.7 billion annually, with the average cost of approximately $1,565 per person per year. Loneliness is associated with increased use of primary health services including contact with pharmacy services and GPs, and results in more emergency treatments and hospital visits. Tackling loneliness could also assist with reducing waiting time and improving access to health services.

The program, founded and created by Australian pharmacist and PALS founder Jenny Kirschner, is the first education program in the world targeted toward health professionals, giving them the skills and confidence to identify and work with patients most at risk of poor health outcomes as a result of loneliness.

The Pharmacist Training Program on Loneliness combines video testimonies of pharmacists working to improve social cohesion, interviews with global health and social connection leaders including the World Health Organisation, and comprehensive evidence-based education designed specifically for pharmacists.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said it’s clear something had to be done.

“As pharmacists we often see members of our communities struggling with loneliness. By empowering pharmacists with education and raising awareness, we can make an even bigger difference to the lives of Australians who are experiencing loneliness.

“Loneliness is not just a social problem. The impact on physical and mental health is clear. When you see it through a health lens, it makes sense that all health professionals have an obligation to learn and understand loneliness, and what we can do to help.

“Pharmacists are among the most accessible and trusted health care professionals in our communities, meaning there are more opportunities than ever for pharmacists to have an impact on social health as part of a true person-centred approach to healthcare.

“I sincerely thank Jenny Kirschner for her long-term commitment to advancing the role of pharmacists to address loneliness. I urge all pharmacists, no matter where or how you practise to take on this new opportunity to champion connectivity and social cohesion in our communities.”

PALS Founder Jenny Kirschner MPS commended the leadership of pharmacists addressing loneliness on the ground.

“Partnering with the PSA to launch the World’s First Pharmacist Training program on Loneliness is more than an endorsement of educational content, it is a watershed moment for the pharmacy profession in Australia and globally,” Ms Kirschner said.

“This demonstrates true leadership from the PSA, prioritising loneliness as public health priority and putting the pharmacy profession at the forefront of helping to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.

“Addressing loneliness is deeply personal for me and I have aspired to integrate the research on loneliness into the curriculum for pharmacists and pharmacy students to develop a workforce equipped to help address loneliness.

“This program feels like my most meaningful work to date. Yet, this training program is just the beginning… there is more work that needs to be done,” she concluded.

The Pharmacist Training Program on Loneliness is available now, free for all PSA members.

About Jenny and PALS

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Jenny Kirschner BPharm (Hons) MPS has 20+ years’ experience in the healthcare and pharmacy sectors including as a clinical and retail pharmacist. She has a deeply personal experience of loneliness and is a passionate clinical entrepreneur who is out to educate and inspire the entire pharmacy industry to address loneliness at patient, pharmacy and community level.

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Jenny is the founder of the PALS (Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation). PALS is first international pharmacy initiative developing a road map for the pharmacy sector to address loneliness. The longer-term goal is for pharmacists to have an in-depth understanding of the health effects associated with loneliness, and how to address them, and for this to become an intrinsic part of pharmacy practice across Australia and globally.

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Jenny’s work has been published in the Australian Journal of Pharmacy (AJP) and Australian Pharmacist (AP) on the topic of loneliness. In Australia, Jenny has presented on loneliness at peak national pharmacy education conferences (PSA conference), to the #1 global ranking (2023) pharmacy university (Monash University Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences) and at a Parliamentary House event championing the pivotal role that pharmacists can play in addressing loneliness.  Jenny is the creator of the World First Pharmacist Training program on Loneliness.

Media contact:   Leah Robinson   M: 0421 659 040    E: leah.robinson@psa.org.au

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