Diversity, equality and continuity of leadership

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) Board Elect met yesterday to elect Board leadership positions.

 

As a result of the recent PSA elections, more than half of the PSA Board are now women, with Directors also representing diversity in age and cultural backgrounds.

 

With experience in community pharmacy, academia and research, hospital pharmacy, general practice and interdisciplinary care, and the pharmaceutical industry this highly skilled and capable Board has been appointed to represent the profession.

 

The Board Elect’s first decision has been to re-appoint Associate Professor Chris Freeman as PSA National President. Under Chris’ leadership, he has helped to steer the profession through the pandemic while PSA continues to go from strength to strength.

 

Michelle Lynch and Renae Beardmore will also continue in their roles as PSA Vice Presidents. Michelle has been the chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee of the PSA, and through her leadership, has embedded robust financial oversight of the Society.

 

Renae, as the chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee has driven PSA’s policy and advocacy contribution to the profession, while also focused on ensuring the best possible implementation of the 7^th Community Pharmacy Agreement.

 

The Board would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of retiring directors Joe Demarte, Lauren Burton, Peter Carroll, and Chris Shenton who have each shown an unwavering dedication to PSA members and the profession as a whole.

 

The Board has committed to remain focused on PSA’s strategy to achieving pharmacist scope of practice fulfillment, improved pharmacist remuneration and conditions, and better recognition for pharmacists’ contribution to patient care.

 

Board members will officially take office from 1 July 2021.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Nicotine vaping product access changes coming

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is urging all pharmacists to be aware of regulatory changes to nicotine vaping, which come into effect on 1 October 2021.

 

Changes to the scheduling of nicotine as a prescription-only medicine will mean liquid nicotine, commonly used in vaping, can only be legally supplied domestically by a pharmacist upon presentation of a prescription and evidence of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval (under the Special Access Scheme B or Authorised Prescriber Scheme).

 

In preparation, PSA is developing guidelines to support pharmacists in procuring and dispensing unregistered nicotine vaping products on prescription for people for whom they have been prescribed.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, encourages pharmacists to prepare to manage these changes and support more than 200,000 Australians estimated to be using vaporised nicotine.

 

“Liquid nicotine is not currently available through the pharmaceutical supply chain. As an unapproved product, pharmacists will need to have clear processes in place to ensure liquid nicotine supplied on prescription and in accordance with the TGA’s approval, complies with the TGA’s product standard for unapproved vaping products, Therapeutic Goods Order 110. The standard includes requirements related to labelling (e.g. warnings and nicotine content), packaging (child resistant closures), ingredients and contaminants.”

 

“While evidence is still emerging to support the use of vaporised nicotine in smoking cessation or harm minimisation, these changes are coming and pharmacists will be there to support patients who present with prescriptions.”

 

“Given the significance of changes to the regulation of nicotine and the high number of people currently using vaporised nicotine, it is essential that pharmacists are guided with appropriate resources including clinical guidelines and practice support tools to assist their patients.”

 

PSA acknowledges the TGA’s work to date in establishing standards and draft guidance to help clarify the safety and quality requirements for such products.

 

“Regulators around the world are rightly cautious on the risks and benefits of inhaled nicotine delivered via electronic cigarettes. Vaping is largely unregulated and overseas its uptake has been largely driven by the tobacco industry,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“The TGA has taken appropriate steps to reduce the risk of harm to people currently using vaping products, but a fundamental problem remains – we don’t know how dangerous or how useful they will be in the long-term.”

 

“Pharmacists will need to do what they are trained to do, putting their patient’s health first and helping those willing to quit do so in the safest and most effective way possible.”

 

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes new Branch Committee Office Bearers and Branch Appointed Directors

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the newly elected and re-elected State and Territory Branch Committee Office Bearers and Branch Appointed Directors.

 

Drawing on their extensive experience and skillsets, these representatives will advocate for the profession and promote membership across the nation. These appointments will ensure members’ interests are represented as part of the Member First pillar of PSA’s Strategic Intent.

 

PSA extends thanks to the outgoing Office Bearers and Branch Appointed Directors for their contribution and dedication to the profession throughout their terms.

 

PSA is excited by these appointments and is relishing the opportunity to work closely with this diverse and experienced group of leaders.

 

In accordance with the Rules of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Limited, PSA declares that the below individuals will assume their respective roles from 1 July 2021.

 

State Branch Committee	Positions
ACT Branch Committee	•         Renae Beardmore – Branch President and Board Member •         Olivia Collenette – Branch Vice President •         Bill Kelly – Branch Vice President
NSW Branch Committee	•         Chelsea Felkai – Branch President •         Caroline Diamantis – Branch Vice President and Board Member •         Sarah Dineen-Griffin – Branch Vice President •         Warwick Plunkett – Board Member
QLD Branch Committee	•         Shane MacDonald – Branch President •         Sue Carson – Branch Vice President •         Chris Freeman – Board Member
SA/NT Branch Committee	•         Robyn Johns – Branch President •         Sam Keitaanpaa – Branch Vice President •         Veronika Seda – Branch Vice President
TAS Branch Committee	•         Dr Ella Van Tienen – Branch President •         Dr Shane Jackson – Branch Vice President •         David Peachey – Branch Vice President
VIC Branch Committee	•         John Jackson – Branch President •         Esa Chen – Branch Vice President •         Jenny Gowan – Branch Vice President •         Ben Marchant – Board Member •         Michelle Lynch – Board Member
WA Branch Committee	•         Anna Gelavis – Branch President •         Chris Shenton – Branch Vice President •         Lauren Burton  – Branch Vice President •         Fei Sim  – Board Member

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

A day to celebrate

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) rejoices over today’s commencement of immunisation against COVID-19 through community pharmacies.

 

Today, 49 regional and remote Queensland pharmacies have commenced immunising Australians against the COVID-19 virus. PSA has been lobbying to secure pharmacist involvement in the strategy over recent months and is delighted to see that this has come to fruition.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said today is a turning point in Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

 

“Today is the day that many rural communities have been waiting for, with Queensland community pharmacies able to help vaccinate and protect them against COVID-19.”

 

“This adds to those pharmacists in hospitals, general practice, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) who have been involved in the COVID19 vaccine rollout thus far.”

 

“We are at a critical juncture in Australia’s fight against this deadly disease and pharmacist involvement must run parallel with the increasing supply of these highly-effective vaccines.”

 

“Pharmacists around the country are vaccine champions and we are ready to play our part by joining the primary care rollout, emulating Queensland’s lead.”

 

PSA welcomes comments from the Victorian Health Minister, Martin Foley, over the weekend that the state is looking to similarly activate rural and outer suburban pharmacies where there are currently gaps in vaccine access.

 

PSA calls for further collaboration between governments and pharmacy organisations, using Queensland pharmacies’ involvement in rollout as the springboard to immunising the population.

 

PSA is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine both safely and effectively to the public, and pharmacists around the country remain ready and on standby to support the strategy.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA launches Reconciliation Action Plan

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is delighted to announce the launch of its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) framework.

 

Last Friday, 28 May, PSA’s RAP received formal endorsement from Reconciliation Australia. The RAP framework will provide the PSA with a structured approach to advancing reconciliation throughout the organisation.

 

The first stage in this plan, Reflect, will help PSA gauge where it stands in relation to reconciliation action. By the conclusion of Reflect, the organisation will have influenced positive cultural change across the organisation.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, stressed the importance of this strategy.

 

“PSA is delighted to launch our RAP, as it signifies an important milestone for the organisation. PSA’s RAP will build on current reconciliation initiatives within the organisation, driving reconciliation through awareness and action.”

 

“Our RAP provides a strategic framework that will ensure PSA is a culturally safe workplace and welcoming for everyone, irrespective of their cultural heritage.”

 

“As the peak body representing pharmacists, Australia’s most accessible workforce, PSA is ideally placed to improve medicine safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, particularly in rural and remote communities.”

 

PSA NT/SA State Manager, Helen Stone, was a key driver of the project.

 

“Providing culturally safe health care comes with understanding and acceptance of the impact that generational disadvantage has had and continues to have on the mental and physical health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

 

“The development of this RAP is a commitment to ensure the cultural literacy of PSA staff towards being a culturally safe workplace which is then reflected in our member education and practice support services.”

 

“I look forward to supporting and working with PSA staff, Branch Committees and the Board to progress the actions within our Reflect RAP, and collaborating with colleagues and members as we continue our reconciliation journey towards the next stage Innovate”, said Ms Stone.

 

PSA is committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, members, stakeholders and patients.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

National Reconciliation Week – a time to reflect

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of this nation, acknowledging Elders past, present and emerging.

 

PSA takes pride in, and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history and cultures and recognises the importance of National Reconciliation Week.

 

From Wednesday 27 May to Thursday 3 June, PSA encourages all members and the wider public to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements through active engagement with Nation Reconciliation Week initiatives.

 

Less than 1 percent of Australian pharmacists identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, a statistic that is of great concern to the PSA. In Australia, there are existing programs that support the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists, such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme (ATSIPSS). Under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA), this scheme encourages students to undertake undergraduate or graduate entry studies in pharmacy at an Australian university.

 

PSA demonstrates our commitment to achieving reconciliation through internal initiatives such as the Culturally Safe Health Care Webinar held on 26 May and through the custodianship of the Practice Guidelines for providing pharmacy services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These initiatives are designed to help pharmacists create an environment that is culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

Next week, PSA will be launching the first stage of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Reflect. By reflecting on our practice, PSA wants to support and enhance the understanding of our people to build relationships and engage with communities to support culturally safe care.

 

PSA supports further measures to enhance the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the profession.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

WA PSA recognises outstanding pharmacists

10 May 2021

 

The high quality health care provided by Western Australia’s pharmacists has been recognised at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) WA Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU) conference.

 

WA PSA President, Dr Fei Sim, presented awards for WA Intern of the Year, WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, WA Pharmacist of the Year and WA Lifetime Achievement Award at the award ceremony held at the WA ATU in Perth on Saturday 8 May to:

 

• Ashtyn Pitts MPS, WA Intern of the Year
• Kate Fulford MPS, WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
• Richard Smirk MPS, WA Pharmacist of the Year
• Rhonda Clifford FPS, WA Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Dr Sim noted the awardees had gone above-and-beyond for their patients and colleagues at a time of uncertainty and change in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“As pharmacists and frontline health professionals, our routines have been altered and many changes have been made in the last year. Our profession has shone during these difficult times and we can add the words ‘resilient’, ‘excellence’ and ‘collaborative’ to our expertise”, said Dr Sim.

 

“For example, Ashtyn volunteered to compound hand sanitiser in the pharmacy after-hours to help protect the community at a time of extreme shortages, while Kate has produced resources for doctors and pharmacists to help reduce the unnecessary and often dangerous use of sedating antipsychotics in people living with dementia.”

 

Dr Sim said the awardees were an inspiration to other pharmacists and to their community.

“The winners of this year’s Western Australia PSA awards have all demonstrated PSA’s vision and excellence. Whether it was empowering pharmacists to be more responsible for medicine safety, demonstrating working collaboratively within a healthcare team, or providing support and education to the next generation of pharmacists.”

 

Awardee Profiles

Ashtyn Pitts, Intern of the Year

Stay Home and Stay Safe

Ashtyn is a versatile and resourceful professional who embraced her local community during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

 

Undertaking her intern year in Dalyellup, just south of Bunbury, she organised and advertised a Stay Home and Stay Safe health promotion for the local community during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, there were also significant shortage of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and Ashtyn organised the sterile manufacture and supply of sanitisers to nearby schools and the community. Ashtyn also conducts presentations and checks the blood pressure and blood glucose levels monthly at the nearby retirement village.

 

Quotes attributable to Dr Fei Sim:

“Ms Pitts is well liked in the community and extremely approachable. Her work after-hours to produce hand sanitisers for her community during extreme shortages, as well as collaborative approach to patient care shows initiative, drive and a focus on patient needs.”

 

“Ashtyn embodies the PSA’s values and has a bright future ahead of her.”

 

Kate Fulford, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

Expanding the scope of pharmacy practice

 

The Early Career Pharmacist Award has gone to Kate Fulford, for her innovative ideas and challenging the scope of pharmacy practice.

 

Kate is a practicing GP pharmacist in Perth’s CBD whose interests lie in in improving medicine use in elderly and vulnerable populations by increasing education and support during transitions of care. Her special interest in chronic disease has seen her take on further qualifications as a diabetes educator, to further the work of GP Pharmacist’s and improve quality use of medicines.

 

Additionally, she is a senior research assistant in an NHMRC funded research project aiming to improve brain health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

 

Kate has been a consultant pharmacist with Dementia Training Australia. She has developed educational programs for health professionals focusing on improving understanding of dementia care, and has overseen the development of an app that optimises the use of antipsychotic medications in people with dementia.

 

Quotes attributable to Dr Fei Sim:

“Kate has developed educational programs for health professionals focusing on improving understanding of dementia care, and overseen development of an online app to reduce unnecessary and dangerous use of antipsychotic medicines in people living with dementia. She is an impressive early career pharmacist.”

 

Richard Smirk, Pharmacist of the Year

 

Richard Smirk received the Pharmacist of the Year Award in recognition of decades of support to the profession and the community in Western Australia. Over many years, Richard has devoted countless hours of his time as regulator and governance leader to protect the community and foster the next generations of pharmacists.

 

Integral to the establishment of AHPRA in WA, Richard has also contributed to ongoing improvements to the processes for registration of pharmacists, examining intern pharmacists and framing the governance around the restructure of the Pharmaceutical Society of WA.

 

Richard has demonstrated his love of the pharmacy profession since he was a student. He was President of WAPSA in 1981 and Communications Officer for NAPSA in 1982. His great skill at communicating was also on display from 1998 to 2011 when he co-edited Rescript magazine for PSWA. Apart from his founding work when PSWA was redesigned, Richard also helped guide the establishment of AHPRA in this State.

 

Richard currently serves the profession as the Clinical Advisory Pharmacy at AHPRA in Perth as well as participating in the Australian Pharmacy Council’s Site Evaluation Team, to audit and re-accredit pharmacy university courses around Australia.

 

Quotes attributable to Dr Fei Sim:

“Richard has given so much to the profession since 1981 and has never asked for recognition or recompense. The enormous volume of work he has produced and his wide scope of practice deserves acknowledgement.”

 

“He has devoted so much of his time and energy to improving the processes around registration of pharmacists, examining intern pharmacists and framing the governance around the WAPSA’s restructure. We owe him a debt of gratitude.”

 

Professor Rhonda Clifford, Lifetime Achievement Award

Expertise in education and research

 

Professor Rhonda Clifford, was presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her ongoing contribution to the pharmacy profession and the community.

 

Prof Clifford, who has over 35 years’ experience in education and research both nationally and internationally, currently serves as Head of School (Allied Health) at University of Western Australia in Perth. She has encouraged and mentored pharmacists at all stages of their careers. She is dedicated to ensuring that vulnerable populations are key in her education and research pursuits – particularly aged care and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

Prof Clifford has been pivotal in ensuring the APC National Education Standards provide certainty that intern pharmacists can deliver excellence in all aspects of medicine management. An example of this is the state-wide implementation of the My Medicines and Me Questionnaire (M3Q) to empower mental health consumers.

 

She has been Chief Investigator and project lead on many projects, such as Lactamap, a resource which provides support to doctors to provide lactation care to breastfeeding women around the world. She was awarded the Erik Kirk Memorial Award in 2016 and a Senior Fellowship in the internationally recognised Higher Education Academy in 2019.

 

Quotes attributable to Dr Fei Sim:

“As an internationally recognised educator, Professor Clifford has been pivotal in ensuring the APC National Education Standards provide certainty that graduate pharmacists can deliver excellence in all aspects of medication management”, said Dr Sim.

 

“She has worked tirelessly throughout her career to encourage and mentor pharmacy students and pharmacists to achieve their goals.”

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Government must act to reduce harmful medicine use in aged care

PSA has called on the Federal Government to address medicine safety in residential aged care facilities in the upcoming Federal Budget.

 

The Government’s Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that Australia is facing a critical problem with medicine mismanagement in aged care facilities.

 

There is no doubt that the absence of regular pharmacist services in aged care facilities is causing harm to older Australians. As custodians of medicine safety, pharmacists are here to keep people safe from medicine-related harm. When you don’t have the right level of investment in pharmacists, this is the outcome which results.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care and Medicine Safety: Aged Care reports found that, of those people living in aged care facilities:

 

• Over 95% have at least on problem with their medicines detected at the time of a medicines review; most have three problems;
• 6% were administered at least one potentially hazardous medicine combination;
• 50% of people with dementia are given medicines with anticholinergic properties, worsening confusion and other dementia symptoms;
• 20% of unplanned hospital admissions is due to inappropriate medicine use.

 

Pharmacists, with their unique expertise in medicines management, are ideally placed to identify and resolve these issues. Embedding pharmacists in residential aged care facilities will safeguard residents from the harms medicines are causing, by ensuring pharmacists are available to:

 

• Undertake medicines reviews;
• Support better clinical governance in medicine use;
• Educate, train and support the aged care workforce.

 

PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, said that the proposed action will ensure an improvement in medicine safety and optimal health outcomes for older Australians.

 

“The Morrison Government has already recognised medicine safety as a National Health Priority Area.”

 

“Now, they must act to address medicine safety in residential aged care facilities, in response to the Aged Care Royal Commission.”

 

“Residents in aged care facilities deserve to have timely and regular access to the expertise of a pharmacist if they require advice and support with their medicines and medicine management.”

 

“Embedding pharmacists in aged care facilities will improve aged care medication management, ultimately reducing medicine-related harm amongst residents.”

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacist access to NIP needed nationwide

PSA welcomes major parties commitment to NIP