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Keep ahead of the spread and get your flu jab by your local pharmacist

It’s that time of year again, with influenza looming large as the seasons change.

 

Whilst attention is currently centred on the COVID-19 virus, the danger of the influenza cannot be underestimated, nor understated. Influenza is dangerous and highly infectious, and potentially life-threatening to at-risk Australians.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is encouraging people to heed the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) advice to vaccinate against influenza annually.

 

Annual vaccination is necessary in providing the best protection for you and people you come in contact with, including family and friends. ATAGI stated that it’s not possible to predict what this flu season may look like, therefore, it’s imperative for Australian’s to keep ahead of the spread.

 

According to data from the Australian Immunisation Register, less than 40% of influenza vaccines have been administered compared with this time last year.

 

At present, community pharmacies across the country have full fridges of the influenza vaccine and pharmacists are ready to immunise Australians.

 

Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals in Australia. Ninety five percent of Australians in capital cities live within two kilometres of a community pharmacy and sixty five percent of Australians in rural Australia are the same.

 

PSA recommends booking vaccinations with your local pharmacist, noting that many pharmacies still accommodate walk-ins.

 

PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, stressed the importance of immunisation as the seasons change.

 

“Unlike the COVID-19 vaccine, supply is plentiful and there are no rollout phases. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come forward and receive their influenza vaccination.”

 

“Whilst you are waiting for your COVID-19 vaccine, there is still plenty everyone can do to support our community and protect Australia’s most vulnerable. One of the best ways is to get immunised against influenza, remembering we need 14 clear days between COVID 19 immunisation and other immunisations. So don’t forget about your flu shot!”

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

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NSW Government backs pharmacists for NIP

Older and vulnerable people in NSW will soon be able to access their seasonal influenza vaccines by visiting their local pharmacy, thanks to a commitment from the NSW Health Minister in response to a pre-budget submission by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

The NSW Health Minister has committed to the PSA that eligible people in NSW will soon be able to access the seasonal influenza vaccine. This may be facilitated under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from the 2022 influenza season. The commitment is contingent on working with the Commonwealth Government to secure the distribution and supply of the vaccines. This commitment also applies to Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines distributed via community pharmacies.

 

PSA NSW President, Chelsea Felkai, welcomed the NSW Health Minister’s announcement allowing pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP influenza vaccines. Ms Felkai said that it will give people more choice about when and where to get vaccinated.

 

“Particularly in regional and remote NSW, people may have trouble accessing a GP. In addition, some people do not visit a GP regularly, or do not have a GP. Allowing pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP influenza vaccines will increase vaccination rates and herd immunity to influenza within the NSW community.”

 

Annual influenza vaccines may be facilitated under the NIP for people most vulnerable to influenza, including those aged over 65 years.

 

All seasonal influenza vaccines administered are uploaded to a person’s individual vaccine record on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman applauded the NSW Health Minister’s initiative to build on the state’s already high vaccination rates.

 

“PSA’s vision for a safer, more accessible and more accountable health system, Pharmacists in 2023, is the foundation for all of our pre-budget submissions. This commitment from the NSW Health Minister shows further confidence in the provision of safe, effective health care by pharmacists.”

 

“Consistent with our vision, PSA continues to work with governments around Australia to help achieve a future where pharmacists are increasingly involved, responsible and accountable for the medicine safety of their patients.”

 

PSA commends the NSW Health Minister for his commitment, which brings the state in line with Western Australia, Victoria and the ACT, where pharmacists have been providing NIP influenza vaccines for several years.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

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Record number nominate for PSA elections

A record number of pharmacists have raised their hand to lead the profession on the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) State and Territory Branch Committees.

 

Positions on the Branch Committee are integral to shaping the future of pharmacy in Australia, providing pharmacists at all stages of their careers with an opportunity to represent their profession.

 

PSA CEO Mark Kinsela said the record number and ever-growing diversity of nominees was a promising sign for the future of pharmacy.

 

“PSA is delighted with the interest from members to be part of PSA’s leadership, also its pleasing to see the diversity of candidates mirror the strong diversity we see in the profession.  PSA members will be able to vote for a robust cross-section of pharmacists to represent them on Branch Committees”, Mr Kinsela said.

 

Mr Kinsela also noted a record number of Early Career Pharmacists (ECPs) and female pharmacists nominated for positions on the Branch Committees.

 

“More than half of all nominees are women, reflecting the strong leadership of women in the profession. Gender, age and cultural diversity has a powerful impact on leadership and ensures the peak body for pharmacists is focused on issues affecting the profession and driving an inclusive agenda to improve health outcomes for all Australians through pharmacy”.

Please see this year’s final nomination statistics below:

 

State Nominations Positions
ACT 13 9
QLD 18 10
SA/NT 17 10
TAS 13 9
NSW 27 12
VIC 20 10
WA 11 9
TOTAL 119 69

 

Voting for the PSA Branch Committee election will be held from 14 April – 11 May, 2021.

 

Australia’s leading voting & election service provider, CorpVote, has been appointed to manage the election process.

 

During the election period, CorpVote will issue How to Vote letters to those members without emails. They will also issue a Vote Introduction message along with reminders to members with emails. Kindly note that postal votes are on demand.

 

The PSA elections offer an opportunity for members to engage with PSA to:

  • Have a say in the future of PSA at a State and National level
  • Help lead the profession to support excellence in pharmacy
  • Influence PSA policies and ensure a viable and sustainable future for pharmacists and pharmacy
  • Enjoy personal development and new career opportunities.

 

Successful Branch Committee Members will hold office for a two-year term, beginning on 1 July 2021.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

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Changes to WA legislation enable pharmacist-administered COVID-19 vaccinations

Legislation changes in Western Australia have enabled pharmacies to take part in the COVID-19 Phase 2a vaccination program when the rollout commences from May 2021.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia WA President, Dr Fei Sim, today welcomed the Government’s legislation changes, saying pharmacists had an important role to play in ensuring the WA community received their vaccinations across the State in a safe and secure process.

 

The Australian Government will facilitate the supply of doses to community pharmacies selected to participate in the rollout and provide payment per vaccination delivered, as well as providing vaccine-specific training and access to the National Booking System.

 

Participating community pharmacists will have responsibility for operations on their own premises, including:

  • on-site storage and administration of the vaccine;
  • ensuring availability of an adequately skilled workforce; and
  • taking all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the minimum site requirements.

 

Dr Sim said the Structured Administration and Supply Arrangement (SASA), authorises health practitioners in pharmacies to administer or supply a medicine to any patient meeting the specified circumstances. A SASA means that a separate prescription or written direction to use the medicine is not required for each individual patient.

 

The SASA agreement covers pharmacists (or nurses) in section 90 pharmacies to administer TGA-registered COVID-19 vaccine products (except Pfizer-BioNTech) for Phase 2a.

 

Interns that have completed their immunisation and COVID-19 training can vaccinate under the direct supervision of a pharmacist (also immunisation and COVID-19 trained)

 

“Community pharmacies who do not participate in Phase 2a may still be involved in later phases of the vaccine rollout’” Dr Sim said.

 

“All community pharmacies who meet requirements have the opportunity to participate in the vaccine rollout as more vaccines become available.”

 

Dr Sim also reminded pharmacy practices that pharmacy students and pharmacy assistants may assist with consent and paperwork, but cannot administer the vaccine.

 

 

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Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

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Extraordinary Queensland pharmacists recognised

23 March 2021

 

Queensland pharmacists and their contribution to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders has been recognised at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA’s) Queensland Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU) conference on the weekend.

 

Queensland PSA Branch President, Shane MacDonald, presented awards in Surfer’s Paradise on Saturday night to the awardees, including:

• Bridget Totterman MPS, Queensland Pharmacist of the Year (Bowl of Hygiea)
• Hannah Knowles MPS, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
• Joshua Clements, James Dare Graduate of the Year
• Gilbert Yeates MPS, Gold Medal – Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Mr MacDonald said the awards recognised the outstanding contribution of the winners alongside the vital role pharmacists provided to communities throughout Queensland.

 

“These awards highlight the incredible talent that we have across the depth and breadth the of pharmacy profession in Queensland. The winners have truly embodied PSA’s vision for the profession Pharmacists in 2023 and have all clearly demonstrated their contribution to the profession in Queensland.”

 

“For example, Bridget has demonstrated leadership and drive for improvement in medicine safety and medicine management systems. Her role has fostered rapid translation and adoption of new protocols and digital initiatives across pharmacy and general practice, clearly demonstrated during the COVID pandemic.”

PSA has also recognised the contribution of pharmacists who have been elevated to the honour of PSA Fellowship. This year both Joyce McSwan FPS and Beverly Glass FPS were conferred as PSA Fellows.

 

Awardee profiles

 

Bridget Totterman, Queensland Pharmacist of the Year

 

Bridget was awarded Queensland Pharmacist of the Year for outstanding leadership and change management.

 

Bridget is the Chief Operating Officer of the White Retail – White Medical Group, Clinical Fellow of the Queensland University of Technology, pharmacy owner and member of PSA’s Queensland Branch Committee.

 

She leads and manages seven pharmacies and eight medical practices, alongside being the business owner of an additional four pharmacies

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Bridget demonstrates exceptional leadership, business acumen and change management within her career.”

 

“PSA commends Bridget for building front-line health care teams in primary care, across both  pharmacy and general practice and for her contribution to the profession across in immunisation, palliative care initiatives, the urinary tract infection pilot and now supporting COVID vaccination.”

 

 

Hannah Knowles, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

 

The Early Career Pharmacist Award has gone to Hannah Knowles for her contribution towards the transitions of care and action for change. Hannah’s work and advocacy saw the PSA secure an election promise from the Palaszczuk government to look at best practice transitions of care across all 16 Hospital and Health Services.

 

Since coming on board as a PSA branch committee member, Hannah has provided incredible insight from her hospital residency, community pharmacy and through to her contribution in FIP committees.

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Her willingness to contribute and lead and support fellow early career pharmacists is exceptional, a worthy winner of the Queensland PSA Early Career Pharmacist Award”

 

 

Joshua Clements, James Dare PSA Graduate of the Year

 

James was recognised for his academic excellence and contribution to his pharmacy community. Mr Clements was awarded the Bachelor of Pharmacy with Distinction from Griffith University in December 2020. Joshua earned the Griffith University Awards for Academic Excellence for every year of his enrolment, from 2017 to 2020

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Joshua is a gregarious and highly motivated student, with a passion for the pharmacy profession and demonstrated leadership among his peers. He is an eager contributor to his pharmacy community and exhibits the best values of our profession’s code of ethics.”

 

 

Gilbert Yeates, Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Gilbert has been an active member of the PSA for over 45 years, and State Councillor from 2007-2014. He is recognised for his significant and ongoing contribution to the profession over many years and across all walks of practice, from community, hospital, academia, professional development, policy, advocacy and professional indemnity.

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Gilbert is well respected by his patients and peers for his confidential and expert advice on professional responsibilities. He engages with those at all levels of the profession, and generously provides counsel to many pharmacists in official and informal capacities,”

 

“His ongoing contribution to community and hospital pharmacy, academia, professional development, policy, advocacy, and professional indemnity is outstanding.”

 

“There has not been an issue relating to the practice of pharmacy in recent history that Gilbert has not been involved with and significantly contributed to, from pharmacist immunisation though to medication management, prescribing and practitioner development. The profession has a lot to be thankful for”.

 

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

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In the spirit of reconciliation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were our first pharmacists.

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