SA pharmacists now eligible to vaccinate children from 5 years against influenza

Monday 16 May 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) South Australian Branch welcomes the announcement that pharmacist immunisers in SA can now administer influenza vaccines to children from 5 years of age.

 

On Friday, the SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton, confirmed changes to allow trained pharmacist immunisers to supply and administer National Immunisation Program (NIP) influenza vaccines to Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people from five years, and private market influenza vaccines from five years of age.

 

PSA SA Branch President, Robyn Johns, welcomed the announcement, which will significantly improve vaccine access for young people across SA.

 

“This is great news for both South Australians and our pharmacist immunisers. Influenza vaccinations are as important as ever this year, and we are pleased that SA’s pharmacists can help increase vaccine accessibility and protect our vulnerable populations.

 

“Our pharmacists continue to go over and above for their communities. They are one of our most accessible healthcare workforces and are trained and experienced in vaccinating younger age groups.

 

“This announcement partially delivers on one of PSA’s SA election recommendations – that pharmacist be enabled to administer medicines by injection, with an expanded range of vaccines,” Ms Johns said.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the South Australian Government to improve vaccine accessibility for all South Australian residents.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0403 973 097

Incoming government must act urgently to keep Australians safe

Sunday 22 May 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the election of the Hon. Anthony Albanese as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, welcomed the Australian Labor Party’s election victory.

 

“I congratulate, what looks to be an incoming Labor majority Government, on their success at the election. PSA has always enjoyed a strong and productive working relationship with the ALP’s health team and is delighted to see pharmacist Emma McBride MP MPS retain the marginal seat of Dobell.

 

“We look forward to working with the Hon. Mark Butler MP as the new Health Minister, to continue to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.

 

“Now is the time to ensure that access to health care remains universal, particularly for the most vulnerable of our population. Consumers need subsidised access to care – regardless of the health setting or health professional they choose to seek care from.

 

Ensuring fair access to influenza vaccines

“Consumers still face out of pocket expenses for the administration of the influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) if delivered by their pharmacists, whilst this same service is subsidised if done at a general practice. Given that pharmacies are one of our most accessible healthcare professionals, it is unacceptable for a consumer to be deprived of this subsidy when choosing to visit a pharmacist.

 

“The Australian Labor Party has committed to working with PSA and other stakeholders to address this inequity in healthcare access.

 

“Every State has now enabled pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines via the NIP influenza stock however consumers face out of pocket expenses for the administration of the vaccine.

 

“We have already seen early spikes in influenza cases in states such as Queensland, beyond that of pre-pandemic levels. This indicates we are heading into a significant influzena season this year, on the back of easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

 

“Every State has now enabled pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines – including those funded under the NIP, however out of pocket expenses still remain, with the Federal Government shifting the cost of administration of the vaccine onto patients.

 

“If these disparities continue to exist, it will have dire consequences on Australia’s healthcare system, not only leaving patients out of pocket, but also at risk of serious illness from influenza.

 

Onsite Aged Care Pharmacists

“I am pleased that the Australian Labor Party has already acknowledged the central role that pharmacists play in medication management in residential aged care facilities, and their commitment to implement the 2022-23 Budget measure to improve medicine safety by funding onsite aged care pharmacists.

 

“It is absolutely critical that the incoming government ensure that this model is collaborative, and that implementation allows flexibility for aged care service providers to determine how to secure pharmacist services. This is the only way to guarantee the best outcomes for aged care residents.

 

“PSA looks forward to working with the incoming ALP Health team on implementation of this commitment, which will also provide exciting new career opportunities for Australian pharmacists.

 

“I would also like to thank the Coalition once again, and in particular outgoing Health Minister the Hon. Greg Hunt, for their leadership and management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Media contact: 0403 973 097

Pharmacists now able to deliver vital flu vaccinations to Queenslanders for free

23 May 2022 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) Queensland Branch welcomes the Queensland Government’s announcement that will allow greater access to influenza vaccines for all Queenslanders.

 

Today’s announcement from Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath ensures that pharmacists and general practice are supported to offer free vaccinations to all Queenslanders from the age 6 to 64.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, said that the move will improve vaccination accessibility for Queenslanders, including children while also valuing the expertise of and availability of pharmacists.

 

“PSA is appreciative that the Queensland Government has headed our calls for greater access to influenza vaccines through local pharmacies.

 

“Pharmacists played a significant role in vaccinating Australians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as one of our most accessible healthcare workforces. They are trained and experienced in vaccinating younger children.

 

“We are already seeing early spikes in influenza cases in Queensland, beyond pre-pandemic levels. This indicates we are going to experience a significant influenza season this year. We are delighted that pharmacists will now be able to contribute to increasing influenza vaccine uptake across Queensland, to ensure Queenslanders are kept safe this influenza season.

 

“We must continue to make vaccinations more accessible for all Australians and ensure that governments support pharmacists to improve the ongoing health of their communities,” Mr MacDonald said.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, has urged other states and territories to follow.

 

“One of PSA key priorities pre and post Federal election is to support access to vaccination by subsidising pharmacist vaccine administration costs for consumers.

 

PSA reaffirms its commitment to free, accessible influenza vaccinations for all Australians by their local pharmacist. Across Australia, consumers face out of pocket expenses for vaccines if delivered by pharmacists, whilst the same service is subsidised if done at a general practice.

 

“We urge all states and territories, and the new Federal Government, to follow Queensland’s lead by ensuring pharmacists can deliver influenza vaccines without consumers facing out-of-pocket expenses,” A/Prof Freeman concluded.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Tasmanian Budget welcomed by PSA

27 May 2022 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed yesterday’s Tasmanian Budget and its $150 million investment in digital health infrastructure.

 

Tasmanian Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff has announced upgrades that would allow hospitals, general practitioners, community health, allied health and specialist providers access shared electronic medical records for patients.

 

PSA Tasmania Branch President David Peachey says the digitisation of health system records will allow pharmacists and other healthcare providers achieve better outcomes for patients.

 

“Tasmanian pharmacists are keen to see systems that can centralise patient data across different methods of care and also with My Heath record, which will improve the care we can provide our communities” Mr Peachy said.

 

“This is also a win for medicine safety, as patient’s histories can travel with them. We can then ensure that therapy continues or is not duplicated.

 

“This is particularly important for the patients moving between methods of care who are at most risk of medicine related harm.”

 

However Mr Peachey says that the 2022-23 Budget overlooks some of the key issues facing Tasmanian pharmacists, including issues highlighted in PSA’s Budget Submission.

 

“PSA is keen to see action on the Tasmanian Liberals’ 2021 election commitment to review pharmacists’ scope of practice, which still has not been funded in this budget.

 

“We also want to see after-hours pharmacist services expanded so that more Tasmanians can better access the medical advice and expertise of pharmacists, which could also reduce emergency department presentations for non-critical care.

 

“PSA is committed to working with the Tasmanian Government to support the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, as well as continuing to advocate for optimal patient care and access to life-saving medications.” Mr Peachey concluded.

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

 

WA’s top pharmacists recognised by PSA

Sunday 29 May 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) State Conference, the WA Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU), and WA Pharmacist Awards were held in Perth yesterday.

 

The WA ATU brings the pharmacy profession together to share the latest in clinical updates and pharmaceutical innovation.

 

The WA ATU coincides with the 2022 WA Pharmacy Awards, which are presented to outstanding pharmacists for their commitment and dedication to the health of their communities.

 

PSA’s WA Branch President Keegan Wong congratulated the awardees for their ongoing dedication to the profession over a particularly turbulent year.

 

“These pharmacists have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their leadership and commitment to the health and wellbeing of their communities,” Mr Wong said.

 

The awards acknowledge and celebrate WA pharmacists through the Intern Pharmacist of the Year, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacist of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement awards.

The 2022 winners are:

• Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Shaylee Mills
• Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Aaron Chan
• Pharmacist of the Year – Phuong Nguyen
• Lifetime Achievement – Chris Shenton

Background profiles on award winners below.

 

Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Shaylee Mills

 

Shaylee began her pharmacy studies in 2018 at Curtin University and started her first pharmacy job at Corrigin Pharmacy; a local community pharmacy in the wheatbelt located near her hometown Quairading. Through the course of her studies, she also worked in a metropolitan pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, undertook a research scholarship and was one of the student representatives on the SHPA committee 2021.

 

She is now completing her internship at Kimberley Pharmacy Services in Broome where amidst the current COVID outbreak, dove straight into running the vaccine clinic and producing a large range of medication education resources for Indigenous families having to isolate in remote areas of the region. After completion of her intern year, Shaylee intends to go into the Graduate Pharmacist program at Kimberley Pharmacy Services to complete a two-year diploma in rural generalism.

 

Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Aaron Chan

 

Aaron has dedicated countless hours to advocating for pharmacists, improving the profession, supporting the community, and ensuring the best health outcomes for his patients. He graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Master of Pharmacy degree in 2018 and worked full-time at Pharmacy 777 Applecross for approximately two years as a professional services pharmacist. Early this year, he joined the pharmacy team at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and has been working there since. He is still working weekend shifts at Pharmacy 777 Applecross, as he wants to continue providing a positive impact to his patient in the community.

He is passionate about education and has presented talks to several community groups on various health topics, including Parkinson’s disease, wound care, bone health, and immune health.
Aaron is also a member of the Antimicrobial Resistance Aware committee to provide a pharmacist’s perspective on how we can reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobials and increase awareness around this growing health concern. He advocated this during last year’s Jacaranda Festival in Applecross, engaging with the community and highlighting the importance of reserving antibiotics for when they are genuinely required.

 

Pharmacist of the Year – Phuong Nguyen

 

Phuong’s journey as a pharmacist started after graduating from Curtin University in 2005 and completing her internship – 2000 hours as it was known back then – at Pharmacy 777 Midland. After her registration, Phuong went on to be a community pharmacist with the Pharmacy 777, PPS and Pharmacy Alliance Groups, as a permanent and locum pharmacist as well training future pharmacists as a preceptor. It was during her 7-year tenure at Acacia Pharmacy Bentley that Phuong found her passion for aged care, community service and the business side of pharmacy. It was this that led Phuong to the pathway of pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Western Australia. As part of her MBA, Phuong was granted the opportunity to study abroad at Harvard University, in the United States, and parts of Europe including Switzerland, Germany and France.

 

After graduating with the MBA in 2020, Phuong transitioned into management consulting for PwC Australia within the Health & Wellbeing team. Phuong has been involved in projects such as a digital transformation program and COVID-19 preparedness within the WA Healthcare setting. Even though Phuong is a consultant during the week, she maintains her connection with community pharmacy by working every weekend at her local pharmacy. In her spare time, Phuong volunteers within her community and also mentors potential and future pharmacy students within the UWA mentorship program.

 

 

Lifetime Achievement – Chris Shenton

 

Chris graduated as a pharmacist from Curtin University in 1986. He trained at Mount Hospital before beginning a community pharmacy career in Rockingham. Chris’ career has included a pharmacy at the Perth Royal Show, volunteering at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the medical team, community pharmacy, large scale aged care pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and home IV services.

 

Chris is Director of PureIV, a TGA approved sterile injectable compounding manufacturer. PureIV compounds IV medicines for home hospital and hospital theatres using the latest techniques and equipment.

 

Chris is Managing partner of Joondalup Hospital Pharmacy provides pharmaceutical services to Joondalup Health Campus, other hospitals and mental health. Joondalup is a 750-bed public/ private hospital.

 

He is director of SouthWest Hospital Pharmacy which is located within the comprehensive cancer centre at St John of God Hospital Bunbury. This pharmacy opened in April 2013 and is a leader in regional oncology services. Chris is also a 40 under 40 business award winner from 2004.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Free flu vaccinations welcomed by pharmacists, but nation-wide solution needed to curb surge

Tuesday 31 May 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes announcements from state
governments in South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria that will
provide greater access to influenza vaccines for Australians this winter.

 

Throughout June, people aged five years and over will be able to access a free influenza vaccine
from their GP or pharmacist. GPs will continue to administer vaccines to people aged 6 months to
five years old.

 

This follows a similar announcement last week from the Queensland Government.

 

While PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, welcomed the announcement, he cautioned more needs to be done to protect Australians this winter, and in future flu seasons.

 

“Public health teams are rightly alarmed by the surging influenza caseload across the nation. Hospitalisations are already placing strain on stretched health resources. We must act with urgency and work together to vaccinate as many people against influenza as soon as possible.

 

“I thank the South Australian, Western Australian, New South Wales and Victorian governments
for launching free flu vaccine programs following Queensland’s announcement last week. We
urge Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory to immediately follow.

 

“These announcements demonstrate the crucial role that pharmacists continue to play in
protecting the health of Australians. We appreciate that these governments are making a critical
investment, by remunerating pharmacists for providing this service.

 

“However, these state-based time-limited programs are only a band-aid for the bigger problem of
funding arrangements which have not kept pace with population health needs.

 

“We need to make it easier for all Australians to be protected against influenza every year, by
removing cost barriers currently faced by many Australians.

 

“It is time for the Federal Government to extend the Medicare Benefits Schedule to fund the costs
to patients for administration of National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccinations by their
pharmacist”, A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“PSA has been calling for this for some time.”

 

PSA also urges the Federal Government to properly fund the administration of all NIP vaccine
services provided by a pharmacist, so that our most vulnerable Australians no longer face out-of-pocket
expenses.

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes greater vaccine access for West Australians

21 April 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) WA Branch welcomes the expansion of the state’s vaccination program, announced today by WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.

 

WA pharmacist immunisers will soon be able to administer National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccinations, including influenza vaccines to children aged 5 years and over, who are eligible under the program.

 

In addition, adolescents will have greater access to vaccines including human papillomavirus (HPV), diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa), meningococcal ACWY, measles-mumps-rubella and COVID vaccinations, with pharmacists to be allowed to administer all of these vaccines in line with the state immunisation schedule.
PSA WA Branch President, Keegan Wong, welcomed the move.

 

“This is great news for Western Australian parents, with the program’s expansion now meaning that their children can get vaccinated against the flu by their local pharmacist.

 

“With the flu season now in full swing, we need to do everything we can to protect Australian children, who can be influenza super-spreaders, by increasing access to vaccination and providing them and their families with optimal protection against this deadly disease.

 

“School holidays are a great opportunity for kids to come in for their COVID-19 and influenza vaccines on the same day, so strike while the iron’s hot and make an appointment for the whole family today through your local pharmacy.

 

“It also pleasing that state’s vaccination program will soon include vaccination against HPV along with further alignment of age eligibility, and we commend the McGowan Government for this move.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the WA Government to improve accessibility to the seasonal influenza vaccine, ultimately improving access for vulnerable Western Australians.

 

“It is critical that governments continue to remove barriers to vaccination and align the funding and regulation of pharmacist-administered vaccinations with that of all other authorised immunisers and today’s announcement is a step in the right direction,” Mr Wong said.

 

PSA will also work with the incoming federal government to further reduce financial barriers to vaccination by seeking an MBS service payment to pharmacists for administering National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

‘The most important election in decades’: Incoming government must prioritise consumer access to pharmacist services.

Sunday 10 April 2022

 

Ahead of what has been dubbed as the most important election in decades, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is renewing calls to prioritise better consumer access to care through fairer remuneration for pharmacist delivered services.

 

Today, the Prime Minister has confirmed that the 2022 Federal Election will be held on Saturday 21^st May.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, demanded that both major parties look to address inequitable consumer access to care as a matter of priority for the incoming government.

 

“The Australian public and pharmacists have faced immense challenges and pressures over the past 24 months. Now, more than ever, is the time to ensure that access to health care remains universal, particularly for the most vulnerable of the population. Consumers need subsidised access to care at the health setting and their qualified health professional of choice.

 

“Consumers face out of pocket expenses for the administration of the influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) if delivered by their pharmacist, whereas, receive subsidies if done at a general practice. It is unacceptable for a consumer not to receive this subsidy for exactly the same service delivered by a qualified health professional in a setting of their choice.

 

“When it comes to case conferences, a critical multidisciplinary process for ensuring quality of care, pharmacists are the only allied health provider that government does not remunerate for their time and participation. This is unacceptable, and at the end of the day, Australians are losing out.

 

“Introducing a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) payment to pharmacists for administering NIP vaccines, and a separate MBS rebate for pharmacists to be remunerated for participating multidisciplinary case conferences, would increase consumer access to pharmacist skills and expertise.

 

“If these pay disparities continue to exist, it will have dire consequences on Australia’s healthcare system, ultimately leaving patients out of pocket.

 

“We are six weeks out from one of the most important Federal Elections, and the Government’s pandemic response and outlook for the healthcare system will be under the microscope once again. The successful party must rectify these inequalities as a matter of priority, keeping consumers front and centre of their decision making.

 

“It is absolutely critical that the incoming government places consumers at the forefront of their policy decisions, ensuring that pharmacists can continue to deliver essential services which have kept Australians safe during this unprecedented period of uncertainty,” he said.

 

Over the coming months, PSA, the peak body representing Australian pharmacists, is committed to working with the incoming government to tackle these challenges, improving access to pharmacist delivered care and ensuring Australian’s get the care they need, when and where they need it.

Budget supports embedding pharmacists in aged care but ignores pay disparities for pharmacists’ services

Tuesday 29 March 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes funding for embedding pharmacists into aged care but is disappointed that unfair disparities in pharmacist remuneration for key services have been overlooked in this year’s Federal Budget.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, was frustrated that no commitments were made to improving remuneration for pharmacists’ services in tonight’s Federal Budget.

 

“Whilst we are delighted that the Minister has recognised the important role that pharmacists play, by recently announcing $345.7 million in funding to embed pharmacists in aged care facilities, the fact that fair remuneration for services that pharmacists provide has once again been overlooked by the Government is a bitter pill to swallow.

 

“Despite the immense pressure they’ve been subjected to over the past 24 months and the overwhelming appreciation shown by politicians on Thank Your Pharmacist Day two weeks ago, the Government will continue to significantly undervalue pharmacists for their services for the foreseeable future.

 

“The Government’s failure to rectify these inequalities is unacceptable, and is a slap in the face for pharmacists who kept on delivering during the pandemic. In our Federal Budget Submission, PSA highlighted two key pharmacist services which require immediate financial support – case conferencing and vaccinations.

 

“As it stands, pharmacists are the only health provider that the Government does not remunerate for their time and participation in case conferencing. In addition to this, pharmacists are being remunerated at a significantly lower rate than other providers for providing exactly the same vaccination services, including vaccinations against COVID-19.

 

“Introducing an MBS service payment to pharmacists for administering National Immunisation Program vaccines, and a separate MBS rebate for pharmacists to be remunerated for multidisciplinary case conferences, would increase consumer access to pharmacist expertise and skills.

 

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to funding pharmacist roles in aged care, and this initiative will present new and exciting career opportunities for Australian pharmacists. However, if these pay disparities continue to exist, it will have dire consequences on Australian healthcare, jeopardising the future of the pharmacist workforce.

 

“Ahead of the Federal Election, we are calling on the incoming government to prioritise these concerns, improving conditions for pharmacists and ensuring that Australians can continue to access high-quality, accessible care,” he said.

 

A/Prof Freeman went on to acknowledge the Government’s commitment to reducing the cost of medicines, but again, much more work must be done.

 

“In a budget aimed at tackling the cost of living, PSA agrees with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia that reducing PBS Safety Net thresholds does not adequately address the rising cost of prescription medicines,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Concession card holders will need 12 fewer prescriptions to reach the safety net, and general patients approximately 2 fewer scripts.

 

PSA also welcomes the commitment of $19.6 million to a national take-home naloxone program, following a successful pilot where pharmacists enhanced access to this life-saving rescue medicine.

 

Over the coming months, PSA is committed to working with the current and incoming government to tackle these challenges that Australian pharmacists face.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Australians now reassured they will have access to essential medicines in their next emergency

Friday 25 March 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) strongly supports today’s announcement that continued dispensing arrangements will become permanent later this year.

 

This morning, the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Greg Hunt, announced that from 1 July 2021, continued dispensing arrangements, currently set to expire on 30 June, will become permanent across Australia.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, applauded the development.

 

“From the 1^st of July this year, a permanent measure will come into effect which ensures that Australians can continue to access essential medicines during times of an emergency. We applaud the Government making these common-sense arrangements permanent.

 

“Whether it be a pandemic, flood, bushfire, or a family tragedy, this provides Australians with confidence they can access their essential medicines when they may not be able to access their prescriptions or a doctor.

 

“Being able to access PBS subsidy for emergency supply of medicines is vital to ensuring patients are not hit with out-of-pocket costs during vulnerable times.

 

“These emergency measures have clearly been successful throughout the pandemic. Over an 18-month period, between January 2020 and the end of June 2021, more than 600,000 vital medicines were accessed under these provisions.

 

“After a tumultuous few years of natural disasters and five temporary extensions to the measures, this was the logical and sensible step to take – particularly given no major problems have been identified.

 

“PSA’s standards and guidelines have proved critical to helping the profession navigate the expanded provisions throughout the pandemic.

 

“Now it’s up to state and territory governments to enable this by ensuring that regulations and barriers currently precluding these arrangements are removed,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with all governments to progress and implement nationally consistent emergency supply provisions.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

 

Support for pharmacists

• Guidelines for the Continued Dispensing of eligible prescribed medicines by pharmacists
• COVID-19 Regulatory Changes: Expanded Continued Dispensing