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Queenslanders to have greater access to hormonal contraception through community pharmacists

15 March 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes today’s announcement from the Queensland Government, allowing trained pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception to women across the state as part of a pilot program from July 2024.

The pilot will mean women and girls aged 16 and older across Queensland can access a range of hormonal contraceptives through their local pharmacist, including:

  • oral medications – the combined oral contraceptive pill (excluding those with high estrogen dose) and the progesterone-only pill.
  • injected medication – Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate.
  • contraceptive device – the combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring.

 

PSA Queensland President Shane MacDonald MPS said that improving timely access to contemporary options for reproductive care is a welcome move.

“PSA’s vision is that every Queenslander has access to safe, quality, and effective healthcare through optimising the role of pharmacists. This is certainly a positive step towards achieving this,” Mr MacDonald says.

“PSA welcomes the announcement today and we look forward to continuing to work with Minister Fentiman and the Queensland Government on the education and implementation of this Pilot, as we currently do for the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.

“Appropriately trained pharmacists can do more to support the healthcare needs of Queenslanders, including improving access to safe and effective hormonal contraceptives.

“By leveraging the accessibility and credibility of pharmacists, this pilot will go a long way to improve equitable and timely access to reproductive healthcare, including women living in rural and remote areas where access to care is increasingly challenging.

“On the 10-year anniversary of the nation-leading Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot, the Queensland Government has shown once again its commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for Queenslanders.”

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, who is presenting at the Women’s Health Summit in Canberra this week, calls on governments around Australia to consider how they can improve access to care.

“83 per cent of Australian women have used contraception at some point in their lives, and yet there are still significant barriers to access that need to be addressed,” A/Prof Sim said.

“We congratulate and commend the Queensland Government for their leadership and commitment to improve women’s access to contraception. Access to contraception is not a luxury, but a basic healthcare need.

“Our healthcare crisis requires all health professionals to practise to their full scope, and collaboratively, we can improve our health system’s capacity.

“I call on all governments across the country to consider measures to improve women’s access to reproductive healthcare,” she concluded.

 

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

8CPA negotiation continue, with Heads of Agreement signed

14 March 2024

 

Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon. Mark Butler MP has today announced the Heads of Agreement for the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), with the intention to commence on 1 July 2024. Further details have not been finalised or publicly released.

While this does not represent the signing of an 8CPA, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS welcomes the certainty for community pharmacists and community pharmacy owners this announcement brings.

“Confidence and certainty are essential for a strong, sustainable community pharmacy network,” A/Prof Sim said. “We congratulate the Guild and the government for reaching Heads of Agreement which will provide confidence to the industry.”

A/Prof Sim highlighted that PSA’s broad membership base, as well as custodianship of practice standards, guidelines and ethics for the profession will be crucial in coming months as the details of pharmacy agreements are finalised:

“While there is still work to be done on the substance of the 8CPA, PSA remains committed to growth in funded professional services and continues to approach negotiations with this intent.”

“PSA maintains that professional elements are critical to any agreement and continue to advocate for scope of practice expansion informed by evidence and driven by best practice standards and guidelines.”

As negotiations for the 8CPA and other arrangements continue, PSA continues to engage in good faith with the government regarding professional pharmacist programs.

“PSA continues to champion programs to improve quality use of medicines and medicine safety, consistent with the National Medicines Policy, throughout discussions with government.

“I can reassure pharmacists and patients that Home Medicines Reviews, Residential Medication Management Reviews and Quality Use of Medicines services continue to be funded ongoing in the forward estimates.” A/Prof Sim noted.

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

Thanking your pharmacist is more important than ever

13 March 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the 2024 theme for Thank Your Pharmacist Day – More than ever.

More than ever highlights pharmacists’ growing role in Australia’s health care system, and the enduring commitment of pharmacists in all practice areas and specialisations to quality, accessible care.

Thank Your Pharmacist Day is celebrated annually in March, bringing together patients, community leaders and stakeholders from across the health sector to acknowledge the vital work of Australia’s pharmacists.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said that support for pharmacists, across all practice areas and specialisations, was more important than ever.

“Our profession is doing more to support the health and wellbeing of Australia than ever before,” A/Prof Sim said.

“We are accessible in communities, offering more services, delivering more vaccinations, and making critical medicines more accessible to all Australians regardless of where they live. In many states and territories, we are strengthening access to oral contraceptives and treatments for uncomplicated UTIs, and in some parts of the country, providing more care for minor skin conditions.

“We are providing more medication management reviews, and supporting multidisciplinary care in general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and aged care facilities. We are supporting the quality use of medicines in hospitals, working with doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals in a range of settings—from inpatient bedsides to emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

“Each of these roles and the countless other specialist areas of practice are critical to the future of our health care systems.

“Thank Your Pharmacist Day is an opportunity for all Australians to consider all the ways in which pharmacists support our health. I strongly encourage all Australians to thank their pharmacist every time you visit a pharmacy, but especially on the 21st of March – national Thank Your Pharmacist Day.”

 

Thank Your Pharmacist Day is celebrated on 21 March 2024.

For more information visit www.psa.org.au/thankyourpharmacist

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

Pharmacists to administer RSV vaccines in NSW

1 March 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) encourages New South Wales residents over the age of 60 years to book an RSV vaccine appointment with their local pharmacist, following the NSW Government today becoming the first state to allow pharmacists to initiate and administer RSV vaccines. 

 

The updated NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards follows yesterday’s statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, recommending people over the age of 75 years receive RSV vaccination as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 60 years and those aged over 60 with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe disease due to RSV. All other people over the age of 60 years are also eligible for RSV vaccination. 

 

PSA NSW President Luke Kelly welcomed the move, saying it was important people protected themselves against infectious diseases ahead of winter. 

 

“We’ve seen massive advances in vaccine technology in recent years and it’s fantastic older Australians – the people who are most at risk of complications and death from RSV – can take positive steps to protect themselves,” he said. 

 

“I thank the NSW Government for proactively expanding vaccination access for our most vulnerable populations and look forward to continuing to work alongside them to improve vaccine uptake across New South Wales.” 

 

PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, called on other Australian jurisdictions to follow NSW’s lead. 

 

“ATAGI yesterday issued three significant statements about vaccination – for COVID-19, influenza and, for the first time, RSV. Now we have a vaccine that is recommended, it’s important to make sure people can access it from all their regular vaccine providers.” 

 

RSV vaccines are currently not funded by the National Immunisation Program. 

 

PSA is hosting a LIVE WEBINAR Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention in Older Adults Amidst Expanding Vaccine Landscape on Wednesday 20 March at 7pm AEDT. Registrations are essential – visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2fW5xOFBS2agw_W8b1J9Cw#/registration 

More Victorians to access travel health and skin services from community pharmacists

28 February 2024

 

More Victorian pharmacists will soon be delivering expanded vaccination, travel health services and treatment for two common skin conditions as the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) launches a series of brand-new training programs.

PSA’s Travel Health training program provides pharmacists with an understanding of the key health risks associated with international travel, and outlines preventative strategies including travel vaccinations.

PSA’s Herpes Zoster (Shingles) and Mild plaque psoriasis training programs provide pharmacists with a comprehensive clinical understanding the conditions, covering clinical features, treatment approach, management goals, and practical applications for pharmacists participating in prescribing pilots.

The successful completion of these programs enable Victorian pharmacists to offer new services under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot.

PSA Victoria President Dr Amy Page FPS says that PSA is proud to build on existing support for Victorian pharmacists to deliver high quality care to patients as pharmacist scope continues to evolve.

“We’re excited to offer more support for Victorian pharmacists to grow the scope of their practice under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot,” Dr Page says.

“More pharmacists will soon be providing treatment for common skin conditions herpes zoster and mild plaque psoriasis flare ups, as well as delivering travel health services. These services, embedded in our local communities means more accessible care for Victorians.

“Pharmacists can now complete training programs in both travel health and skin conditions and offer additional health services backed by nation-leading education and professional support.

“PSA is proudly committed to ensuring that pharmacists are supported with the knowledge and skills required to support Victorians with greater access to health advice in these key clinical areas.”

PSA’s Travel Health and Herpes Zoster (Shingles) and Mild plaque psoriasis modules are available now, free for PSA members.

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

Victorian pharmacists to treat skin conditions from March

20 February 2024

 

Pharmacists across Victoria will soon be able to supply treatment for two skin conditions under the next phase of the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot set to begin in March 2024.

Victorian pharmacies that opt for the skin clinical stream and undertake additional training can treat herpes zoster (shingles) and a flare-up of mild plaque psoriasis.

Management Protocols for the two skin conditions are now available.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Victoria President Dr Amy Page FPS welcomed the next phase of the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, and reaffirmed PSA’s support for pharmacists participating in the program.

“Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in managing minor ailments and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, to now include common skin conditions,” Dr Page said.

“This is about making sure that Victorians have access to safe care when and where they need it.

“It’s important that the pharmacists participating in the program are supported with the high-quality, best-practice knowledge and skills required to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Victorians while contributing to the success of the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot.

“PSA is building on our existing support for Victorian pharmacists, as we prepare to launch our new training program ahead of the pilot expansion.”

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

NSW Pharmacists recognised for outstanding contributions

17 February 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has recognised New South Wales’ top pharmacists as part of the 2024 PSA Excellence Awards tonight on the NSW Central Coast.

The NSW Pharmacist of the Year is Margaret Ruhnau MPS

Western Sydney pharmacist Margaret Ruhnau is a trailblazer, practicing with her community at the heart of all she does. Since becoming one of the first pharmacists to practice in an Aboriginal Health Service, Ms Ruhnau continues to build a diverse and culturally aware team at Emerton Amcal Pharmacy. Every member of her team has undertaken Deadly Pharmacist foundation training as well Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence to support their provision of pharmacy services in partnership with Marrin Weejali – a local Aboriginal-Controlled Health Organisation.

As a credentialed pharmacist Ms Ruhnau was also one of the first pharmacists to practice in General Practice, where she was instrumental in generating evidence for the future roles and recognition of GP Pharmacists. Most recently, Ms Ruhnau was involved in the working group co-designing the NSW Pharmacy Trial for the management of urinary tract infections and extended supply of oral contraceptive medicines.

Aside from her pharmacy work, Margaret has been a Guide Dog puppy raiser at home, raising a successful working Guide Dog and another that went into the Pets As Therapy program.

The NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year is Angus Koerstz MPS

After completing his intern year in Canberra, community pharmacist Angus Koerstz opened Men’s Health Downunder Dubbo, supporting men with complex urological health issues particularly post-prostate cancer. Angus works closely with urologists, allied health professionals, and prostate cancer support nurses to improve the urological health of these men which has a significant bearing on their overall quality of life. Mr Koerstz is expanding his scope of practice to work closely with this multidisciplinary team to improve urological health outcomes for men, particularly in regional, rural and remote communities.

He has a keen focus on assisting men to recover from prostate cancer surgery, offering a range of non-pharmacological aids for complex issues such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction and pyronines disease. Mr Koerstz’s innovation and motivation to improve men’s health has seen him become a trusted resource and referral point for local doctors, urologists, and nurses.

Through developing a men’s health clinic in Dubbo, and also seeing patients through his pharmacy Angus has provided men with access to vital information to assist with the management of urological health issues. His expertise has seen men travel four to five hours from more remote western communities for consultation and access to his vital service.

The NSW Intern Pharmacist of the Year is Shannon Leglise

South Coast Intern Pharmacist Shannon Leglise has demonstrated passion and commitment beyond his years, becoming an integral part of the pharmacy team and the local community of Callala Bay. Mr Leglise has worked hard to introduce new services to the pharmacy, expanding his scope of practice beyond what would be expected of an intern pharmacist. In doing so, Mr Leglise has proactively engaged with the community, improving the wellbeing of his patients with proactive health promotion.

 

The NSW Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Professor Peter Carroll AM FPS

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Sydney pharmacist Professor Peter Carroll has made an immense contribution to pharmacy professional bodies, changes to pharmacy practice, Government committees, the education of pharmacy students, and the continuing professional development of practising pharmacists.

On top of serving the profession as a PSA National Board Director, President of the NSW Branch and the Offshore Refresher Course’s Education Director, Prof. Carroll was responsible for the development and introduction of the Asthma Card in NSW, allowing pharmacists to counsel patients about their asthma, and the overuse of reliever medicines. He was involved in the initial training of pharmacists to conduct Medication Reviews and played a significant role in developing an accredited vaccination training course for final-year pharmacy students.

Working with both PSA and the Guild, Peter was instrumental in gaining the approval of the NSW Government to allow appropriately trained pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine. Peter developed a vaccination training course and was personally involved in the training of over 250 pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine. Peter also played a major role in getting Government approval for pharmacists to administer MMR, DPT, and COVID-19 vaccines.

Prof. Carroll has been a member of the Bachelor of Pharmacy Planning Committee at the University of Newcastle, a member of the Pharmacy Advisory Board at Charles Sturt University, a member of the Pharmacy Trust at Charles Sturt University and Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Pharmacy Practice Foundation at the University of Sydney. Peter was involved in the initial development of the pharmacy courses at both the University of Newcastle and Charles Sturt University.

PSA New South Wales Branch President Luke Kelly FPS congratulated the award recipients.

“New South Wales is lucky to be home to outstanding pharmacists across a breadth of practice areas and specialisations,” Mr Kelly said.

“PSA’s Excellence Awards recognise the many outstanding contributions of our pharmacists,  those who innovate, those who strive to raise practice standards, and those who model everything it means to be a part of our profession.

“Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you for your ongoing contributions to the profession, and to the health of our state.”

 

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

TGA to brief pharmacists on vaping reform

16 February 2024

 

Chief Medical Adviser of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Professor Robyn Langham joins Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS this month for a national webinar on recent and planned changes affecting the supply and regulation of vaping products.

Clearing the Air – Navigating the Vaping Reforms with Confidence explores recent regulatory changes (and those in the pipeline) and what they mean for pharmacists. It will also introduce the TGA’s new validation tool providing real-time monitoring of Special Access Scheme and Authorised Prescriber scheme notifications to support safe dispensing of unapproved therapeutic goods.

An update on evidence-based approaches for smoking and vaping cessation and nicotine dependence management will also be covered by guest speakers from the ‘National Quit Training and Resource Centre for Nicotine Cessation’ (Quit Centre) which provides a national best practice support service for health professionals.

A/Prof Fei Sim FPS urged pharmacists to attend the webinar and hear directly from the TGA.

“This webinar is a chance for pharmacists to hear directly from the TGA and experts in the field, to gain in-depth understanding of the new regulatory environment, especially as it relates to dispensing unapproved vaping products.

“I strongly encourage all pharmacists to attend, especially pharmacists who supply or are looking to supply vaping products, to ensure as pharmacists we are meeting our professional obligations in our practice and providing best-practice smoking cessation support to patients.”

Pharmacists can visit Clearing the Air – Navigating the Vaping Reforms with Confidence to register.

Pharmacists can also visit the TGA’s Vaping Hub to find more information on the regulatory changes to vapes, including sourcing and dispensing within the new regulatory settings.

 

Clearing the Air – Navigating the Vaping Reforms with Confidence

Tuesday 27 February 2024, from 7.30pm AEDT

Presented in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

 

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

Tas expands pharmacy services to UTI treatment

12 February 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement that pharmacists will be authorised to supply treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) from March this year.

Every community pharmacist in Tasmania will be able to take part in additional training to offer the program which is modelled on services already operating in other states.

PSA Tasmania President David Peachey MPS said the move utilises the state’s most accessible health care professionals to continue supporting timely patient care.

“PSA welcomes Minister Barnett’s move to give Tasmanians greater access to safe health care when and where they need it,” Mr Peachey said.

“We have already seen UTI prescribing programs work successfully around the country – and in Queensland for quite a few years now.

“We know that around half of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and that timely access to treatment is key to alleviating discomfort and preventing further complications or hospitalisation.

“Pharmacists are key to strengthening the health care system. Regional and rural communities across Tasmania will benefit enormously from being able to access treatment from their local pharmacist, freeing up our hardworking rural GPs for more complex patient needs.”

PSA’s Managing uncomplicated cystitis training program is now available to all Tasmanian pharmacists. Successful completion allows the pharmacist to provide an assessment and treatment, if deemed appropriate, for uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 18 to 65, once the program commences from 1 March 2024.

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

ACT pharmacists recognised with Excellence Awards

10 February 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has recognised the Australian Capital Territory’s top pharmacists as part of the 2024 PSA Excellence Awards tonight in Canberra.

The ACT Pharmacist of the Year is Kirstin Turner MPS

Canberra pharmacist Kirstin Turner is a Credentialed Pharmacist and Credentialed Diabetes Educator practising in both General and private practice in the ACT. Working with patients of all types of diabetes diagnoses, Kirstin specialises in medication optimisation for elderly patients experiencing diabetes related complications.

On top of maintaining her practice workload, Ms Turner continues to give back to the profession by mentoring and sharing more than a decade of clinical practice experience with recently credentialed pharmacists. Ms Turner’s commitment to sharing her accumulated wealth of experience with pharmacists, the multidisciplinary team, and patients that really stands out.

Ms Turner’s sustained and unwavering focus on the quality use of medicines and medicine safety, both as part of the multidisciplinary health care team and as a distinct health practitioner, exemplifies a true commitment to the pharmacy profession and the wider Canberra community.

The joint ACT Early Career Pharmacists of the Year are Alicia Martin MPS and Jaqueline Lockley MPS

Alicia Martin is a community pharmacist in Canberra’s south and is the founder of TaperMate, a mobile app to help patients safely taper their use of medications that cause withdrawal symptoms, particularly in the mental health space. TaperMate was born from Alicia’s clinical knowledge and passion for harm minimisation and improving consumer health literacy, working to bridge the gap between prescribers and consumers by centralising pharmacist advice and supporting true patient-centred care.

Ms Martin is involved in the Canberra Innovation Network and received YWCA Canberra’s Great Ydeas Grant in 2023 to support the development of TaperMate.

Through both TaperMate and her community pharmacy practice, Ms Martin demonstrates very strong professional leadership and an unwavering commitment to improving the use of mental health medicines and consumer health literacy more broadly.

Jacqueline Lockley is a community pharmacist in Canberra’s inner north, utilising pharmacogenomic testing to support specialised patient care. Ms Lockley promotes the use of pharmacogenomic testing to a range of health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists, mental health nurses and general practitioners, aiming to reduce medication misadventure, and improve quality use of medicines by optimising therapy based on an individual’s genetic profile.

Ms Lockley volunteers with the Salvation Army in Braddon, providing free advice and services to Canberrans doing it tough. She provides these services without judgement in a safe, familiar environment, supporting members of the community experiencing substance abuse disorders who may not feel comfortable accessing care in a traditional community pharmacy setting.

Ms Lockley established Self-Harmers Anonymous Australia, a 12-step program to support individuals struggling with self-harm around the country. She also provides information and resources to the friends and families affected by self-harm, supporting them to respond with empathy and understanding.

Ms Lockley is also a pharmacist representation on the ACT’s Capital Health Network Advisory Council, working to improve access and the delivery of quality healthcare to all Canberrans.

 

The ACT Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Amanda Galbraith MPS

As the ACT’s Acting Chief Pharmacist, Amanda Galbraith has lead work to develop pharmacists’ scope of practice through the expansion of pharmacist administered vaccines and the opportunity for Canberra pharmacies to supply treatment for urinary tract infections, improving access to care for Canberra women.

Ms Galbraith has held a number of leadership positions across the pharmacy sector, including as President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (ACT Branch), a Pharmaceutical Defence Limited Director, and presently as Chair of the Australian Pharmacy Council’s FARM Committee.

Ms Galbraith’s passion for helping those around her extends to her work with the Pharmacists’ Support Service, offering support related to the many demands of being a pharmacist in Australia. Throughout her career, she has worked to promote First Nations Health, and importantly to promote the careers of First Nations pharmacists. Ms Galbraith is an asset to the ACT health system and the pharmacy profession more broadly.

 

On behalf of PSA, ACT President Olivia Collenette MPS congratulates the pharmacists recognised in this evening’s reception.

“Canberra pharmacists are embodying what it means to be a pharmacist, providing patient-centred care through innovation, excellence in practise, and commitment to our profession.

“A special congratulations to Kirstin, Alicia, Jacqueline and Amanda on your contributions not only to the pharmacy profession, but to the health of all Canberrans.”

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