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Integrating non-dispensing Pharmacists in General Practice (Pharmacists in General Practice)

Image of GP Pharmacist talking to Dr and Nurse
What are we doing?

PSA is integrating non-dispensing pharmacists (NDPs) into general practice clinics across Australia.

 

Why are we doing it?

These projects demonstrate the benefit that pharmacists can play when integrated into general practice settings.  

 

Value to PSA members

These models demonstrate a strong business case for integrating pharmacists into general practice.

 

When integrated into primary practice, NDPs provide a range of clinical services within a team-based model of care that can improve patient outcomes and quality use of medications.1

 

As of 1 July 2024, 30 general practices across Western Australia have integrated non-dispensing pharmacists into their teams through this project, supporting improved patient outcomes.

 

Project impact

Quarter 1 and 2, 2024 – Non-dispensing pharmacists (NDPs) into general practice, older adults program.

3,584

patient
consultations

 

3,005

medication management reviews

595

transitional

care activities

 

15,201

total number of activities under taken by NDPs in Q1 & Q2 period

Collaboration with:

WAPHA logo

For more information about this project, please contact Bronwyn Walker

1. Shaw C, Couzos S. Integration of non-dispensing pharmacists into primary healthcare services: An umbrella review and narrative synthesis of the effect on patient outcomes. Australian Journal for General Practitioners. Available at https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/june/integration-of-non-dispensing-pharmacists-into-pri .

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Mental Health First Aid Training – South Australia (MHFA)

Image of sad to happy blocks
What are we doing?

PSA will deliver mental health first aid training to community pharmacists and pharmacy staff working in South Australia.

 

Why are we doing it?
To improve early identification of mental health issues and appropriate initial support to people experiencing mental ill-health, the South Australian Government (SA Government) through the Office of the Chief Pharmacist is funding MHFA training to upskill community pharmacists and pharmacy staff working in South Australia to improve early identification of mental ill-health and increase mental health support for the community. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has been commissioned by the South Australian Government to deliver MHFA training to at least 1000 community pharmacists and pharmacy staff working across metropolitan and regional South Australia over the next three years.

 

Value to PSA members
Pharmacists are the most accessible health professionals. Community pharmacy is often the first access point to health care for consumers. By upskilling pharmacists and pharmacy staff to identify early warning signs of mental ill health, they will be able to provide support and referrals to mental health services where necessary,  providing an additional layer of support for patients in need.

 

Project impact

Coming soon.

 

Positive feedback received from participants

“I have found that doing the Mental Health First Aid training has made me more confident to ask patients about acute mental health symptoms, including asking for the first time “Have you had thoughts about hurting yourself?”  

 It has also made me a more compassionate boss and given me scope as a leader to allow staff to take a “sick day” for the sake of mental health, resulting in overall improvements in staff satisfaction and atmosphere in the pharmacy.”  

 “This training allowed me to have a better appreciation and understanding of the situation and create a safe space for the patient to discuss about their distress and being able to appropriately refer them to community mental health resources that are available.” 

“I loved the whole course, I felt engaged and learnt so much. I said to my boss, I usually feel tired at these trainings and not this one, was great!”  

“It was excellent to have a pharmacist running the training as it made the information very relevant.”  

How can I sign up to undertake training?

Both digital and face-to-face training sessions are being scheduled. To enrol for a training session, please click below.

ENROL FOR A DIGITAL TRAINING SESSION
ENROL FOR A FACE TO FACE TRAINING SESSION

To register your interest or to join a waitlist with your preferred date, please email events@psa.org.au

 

How can I find out more about the program?

For more information about the program, or for questions relating to the program activities, please email SAbranch@psa.org.au

 

For more information about this project, please contact Adeline Tan

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Guidelines for Pharmacists in Nicotine Cessation

Image of a cigarette being broken in half
Including clinical guidance and recommended dosage regimes for nicotine-containing pulmonary delivery products for smoking cessation.

 

What did we do?

PSA is part of a consortium of peak bodies who will inform and support the design, development and delivery of evidence-based content, interventions and for this comprehensive educational program.

 

Why did we do it?

PSA is best placed to support the aims and objectives of the QUDTP grant activities, through strong membership engagement that provides high-quality health care and are the custodians for safe and effective medicine use for the Australian community.

 

Value to PSA members

This project will deliver free, patient centred education for the profession. 

 

These guidelines are applicable to all practice settings in which pharmacists provide smoking cessation support, including non-prescription medicines.

 

New guidelines coming 1 October 2024.

 

Project impact:

Coming soon.

 

The development of the Guidelines for pharmacists providing smoking cessation support has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

For more information about this project, please contact Nena Nikolic and Jarrod McMaugh

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Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Pathology Program (QUM Alliance)

Image of many pills
What are we doing?

PSA is part of a consortium of peak bodies who will inform and support the design, development and delivery of evidence-based content, interventions and for this comprehensive educational program.

 

Why are we doing it?

PSA is best placed to support the aims and objectives of the QUDTP grant activities, through strong membership engagement that provides high-quality health care and are the custodians for safe and effective medicine use for the Australian community.

 

Value to PSA members
The Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Alliance represents a group of eight health and consumer organisations, bringing together unique expertise from education providers, consumer groups, researchers, health professionals, peak bodies and member organisations to develop free health education products for a national audience of health professionals and consumers.

 

Project impact
Health professionals and consumers working together, to support more effective healthcare, better medicine safety and improved health outcomes.

 

 

Collaboration with:

QUM Alliance logos

For more information about this project, please contact Chris Braithwaite

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‘Guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management

ATSIP Guidelines artwork
What did we do?
In collaboration with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), PSA co-designed and delivered an update to the PSA’s Guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management. These guidelines help pharmacists around Australia, in all practice settings, deliver the best care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

 

Why did we do it?

A number of significant gaps were identified in the previous version of the guidelines, published in 2014, due to fundamental changes in how pharmacists deliver services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

 

Value to PSA members

These resources will support the profession by enabling the delivery of high-quality pharmacy services that provide measurable patient outcomes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.​

 

The guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management can be found here.  Guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with Medicines Management (psa.org.au)

 

Project impact
The principles included in the guideline are relevant to all current and future pharmacists, from those just starting their professional journey to those with years of experience working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.

 ​

Artist’s acknowledgement and story of artwork

Lani Balzan is the artist and  a proud Aboriginal woman from the Wiradjuri people of the three-river tribe. Her family originates from Mudgee but she grew up all over Australia and lived in many different towns. She now calls the Illawarra home. The three circles with hands and pathways represent the connection supporting both patients and other health service team members to ensure patients can access medicines and use them appropriately. The hands represent wellness, health and care. Six elements have been created in the design which represent gathering elements, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Person Centred, Medicines, Pharmacists, Wellness, Health.

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Palliative Care Pharmacist Foundation Training Program

Palliative Care image - reassuring hands
What are we doing?

PSA will develop and implement a Palliative Care Foundation Training Program for Pharmacists and pilot a community palliative care pharmacist service model. The community palliative care pharmacist service model pilot will assess the impact and activities of 6 specialist palliative care trained pharmacists in the community over 12 months. 

 

Why are we doing it?

To equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to support patients receiving palliative care in the community.

 

Value to PSA members

Pharmacists who complete this training will receive up-to-date education to ensure they deliver best practice palliative care. It is anticipated that the pilot will provide evidence supporting the integration of specialist palliative care trained pharmacists areas of practice relating to palliative care. 

 

The vision for the pilot program is to revolutionise the quality of palliative care in a diverse range of settings, especially for underserved populations who currently face additional barriers accessing palliative care. ​

 

Project impact

Coming soon.

 

For more information about this project, please contact Megan Tremlett  and Leah Robinson

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Deadly Pharmacists Project

Image of Deadly Pharmacist artwork

Deadly pharmacists: foundation training for pharmacists working within Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services.

 

What did we do?

Co-designed and developed with the PSA and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), this course equips pharmacists with the skills to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services.

 

This interactive online course includes seven modules covering topics such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, communication skills including how to use clinical yarning in your practice and conditions of prevalence in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

 

The Deadly Pharmacists course is available free of charge to all pharmacists, including PSA members and non-members – enrol now.

Why did we do it?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services have unique characteristics. This training program ensures that pharmacists have a foundational understanding to provide services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care settings. 

 

Value to PSA members

This training helps to build a career pathway for pharmacists wanting to work in ACCHOs. It also complements the Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Practice Community of Speciality Interest (CSI).

 

Project impact
  • As of July 1, 2024, enrolments for the Deadly Pharmacists Foundation Training Course have exceeded 2,000.
LEARN MORE

Watch this video to find more about the amazing Deadly Pharmacist Program

Co-designed with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

NACCHO logo
Artist’s acknowledgement and story of artwork

Lani Balzan is the artist and  a proud Aboriginal woman from the Wiradjuri people of the three-river tribe. Her family originates from Mudgee but she grew up all over Australia and lived in many different towns. She now calls the Illawarra home. The artwork centrepiece represents the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, receiving care from the pharmacists, learning about the need to have connected, joined up care, through this training platform, which is culturally appropriate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For more information about this project, please contact Megan Tremlett  and Hannah Loller

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NSW pharmacists to treat skin conditions in trial expansion

17 June 2024

 

 

Pharmacists in New South Wales will soon be able to supply treatment for four skin conditions under the next phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial.

​

Participating NSW pharmacists who undertake additional training will be able to treat impetigo, shingles, atopic dermatitis, and mild plaque psoriasis under the trial.

​

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) New South Wales President Luke Kelly FPS welcomed the next phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial, and reaffirmed PSA’s support for pharmacists participating in the program.

​

“Under the next phase of the New South Wales Pharmacy Trial community pharmacists will be trained to treat four skin conditions, making treatment for conditions including impetigo, shingles, eczema, and mild plaque psoriasis more accessible around our state,” Mr Kelly said.

​

“Pharmacists are key to strengthening the healthcare system, and through the NSW Pharmacy Trial, patients have been able to access safe, quality treatment when and where they need it.

​

“For skin conditions like shingles, acute eczema, mild plaque psoriasis and impetigo, providing timely, accessible treatment is critical to relieving discomfort and pain, and allow us to mitigate further complications.

​

“New South Wales pharmacists have already supported thousands of patients with a range of health concerns, including uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections and extending the supply of the oral contraceptive pill. With the inclusion of skin conditions, pharmacists can continue to provide nation-leading, accessible care to patients across the state.

​

Mr Kelly also welcomed increased remuneration for pharmacists providing consultations skin conditions, better reflecting clinical expertise and administration costs.

​

“Increased support for pharmacists means we can ensure services remain available to patients across our state, at no cost.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Minister Park, the New South Wales Government and other stakeholders to ensure we are best responding to the health needs of our communities,” Mr Kelly said.

​

New South Wales pharmacists can now enrol in and complete prerequisite training here.

​

​

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

​

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Queensland Budget sets pharmacists up for Scope of Practice Pilot

11 June 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes education funding for pharmacists in the Miles Government’s 2024-25 Queensland State Budget.

 

Today’s state budget commits $6 million to enable pharmacists to complete additional training to support the state-wide rollout of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot. This includes completion of prescribing training and clinical practice training, and will allow participating pharmacists to treat and prescribe medicines for common health conditions and wellbeing services, making healthcare more accessible for Queenslanders.

 

PSA also welcomes the government’s $72.9 million investment in free vaccinations for Queenslanders, including $40 million to fund influenza vaccines for all Queenslanders aged over 6 months, $26 million to fund meningococcal B vaccines for eligible infants, children, and adolescents, and $6.9 million to fund RSV vaccines.

 

PSA Queensland President Mr Shane MacDonald said the budget gives pharmacists the support they need to prepare for Australia’s most progressive scope of practice pilot.

 

“Investment in pharmacists ensures that our workforce is ready to offer expanded health services to Queenslanders,” Mr MacDonald said.

 

“Financial support to help meet training costs means more pharmacists participating in the pilot, and more services in more communities.

 

“We thank the Miles Government for their continued support and collaboration with the profession to bring the Scope of Practice Pilot to Queenslanders, better utilising the skills and accessibility of pharmacists to improve access to healthcare across the state.

 

“PSA is pleased to again welcome the continuation of free influenza vaccines for Queenslanders in 2025, easing the cost burden of essential vaccines on Queensland families,” Mr MacDonald continued.

 

“Knowing that every patient will have access to a vaccination at no cost, pharmacists can proactively plan now for the 2025 flu season.”

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​

 

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

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Pharmacists named in King’s Birthday Honours

11 June 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has recognised and congratulated the PSA members and pharmacists named on the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List.

PSA Life Member Robert Dean MPS of Red Cliffs in Victoria was recognised for his service to the community of Red Cliffs, including fifty years as a community pharmacist.

Farag Gobran MPS of Drummoyne in New South Wales was recognised for his service to youth, to aged welfare, and to the Egyptian community, as well as his service as a community pharmacist since 1970.

PSA also acknowledges Former Department of Health and Aged Care Deputy Secretary, Health Products Regulation Group Professor John Skerritt, recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated the recipients.

“We know that pharmacists make enormous contributions to our communities, through the care we provide but also as pillars of community life,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“Robert and Farag are two pharmacists who’ve supported their communities not only through their careers as pharmacists, but also through lifetimes of service to their communities.

“On behalf of PSA and Australian pharmacists, we congratulate Mr Dean, Mr Gobran and Professor Skerritt on their achievements and continued commitment to the health of our communities.”

 

 

 

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

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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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