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Pharmacists to better support patients with insomnia and sleep health

25 October 2023

 

Pharmacists will soon have access to nation-leading sleep health education and resources to support patients experiencing insomnia. PSA will work as part of a consortium led by the Australasian Sleep Association, to deliver the Quality Use of Medicines for Insomnia and Sleep Health (QUMISH) project.

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The grant will run over a 2-year period and address quality use of medicines issues for insomnia, awarded under the Australian Government’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) Program.

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said the funding supports quality use of medicines as a national health priority.

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“Every day pharmacists are supporting patients with their sleep health,” Dr Sim said.

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“Most Australians experience insomnia at some stage in their lives, with about 1 in 10 people experiencing insomnia symptoms at any given time.

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“As some of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists are ideally placed to identify patients with insomnia who need further support.

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“Through education and resources developed with the Australasian Sleep Association and other stakeholders, pharmacists will have confidence in providing high-quality, consistent care for Australians experiencing insomnia.

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“PSA is proud to take a collaborative approach to upskilling pharmacists with evidence-based training on the quality use of medicines for insomnia, as well as other first line strategies for improving sleep health.

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“Pharmacists will have access to webinars, CPD articles and in-person education at PSA’s Pharmacist Therapeutic Updates and national conference.

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“I strongly encourage all pharmacists to engage with this education and recognise that opportunistic interventions by community pharmacists are key to improving sleep health for all Australians,” Dr Sim concluded.

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PSA is delivering education in consortium with the Australasian Sleep Association, the Sleep Health Foundation and the University of Sydney.

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

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PSA prepares pharmacists for Victorian scope expansion

24 October 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched its education series to prepare pharmacists participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot.

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The 12-month pilot is aimed at testing an expanded role for community pharmacists, authorising the continued supply of oral contraceptive pills without a prescription, as well as supply of antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

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It is a requirement that pharmacists complete appropriate training, including PSA’s Contraception essentials and Managing uncomplicated cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection)  programs.

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Both modules are available to all Victorian pharmacists, and are free for PSA members.

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PSA Victoria President Dr Amy Page FPS urges pharmacists to complete training as soon as possible.

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“PSA is proud to build on our existing support for pharmacists to maximise opportunities to develop their practice and deliver high quality care to patients as pharmacist scope continues to evolve,” Dr Page said.

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“This is an exciting opportunity for community pharmacists to not only expand their scope, but also to provide accessible care for all Victorians, particularly those in rural and regional parts of our state.

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“These programs empower pharmacists with the 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.

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“This is about making sure that Victorians have access to safe health care when and where they need it,” Dr Page concluded.

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Enrolments are now open for the Contraception essentials and Managing uncomplicated cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection)  training modules.

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For more information on the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, visit the Department of Health website.

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

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Launch of new PPS Quality Improvement and Self-Assessment Implementation Program

14 October 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today officially launched the Professional Practice Standards Quality Improvement and Self-Assessment Implementation Program to help pharmacists better understand and implement the standards into their practice.

 

The Implementation Program enables pharmacists to identify their individual scope of practice and the Standards relevant to them, as well as self-assess against these.
Upon completing the program, pharmacists are provided with a tailored action plan to help them improve their practice.

 

Speaking at the Western Australia Annual Therapeutic Update in Perth, PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS strongly encouraged pharmacists to take advantage of the Quality Improvement and Implementation Program to improve their practice.

 

“When we launched the new Professional Practice Standards earlier this year, we knew that it would fundamentally change the way pharmacists interact with and apply professional standards to their own practice,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Our Implementation Program allows each pharmacist to take an individual approach to applying the Standards in practice, no matter what our area of practice or specialisation.
“Self-assessing performance against these standards allows all of us to better our practice, and to deliver better care to all Australians.

 

“As pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to evolve, it is vital we continually assess our own performance and whether we are consistently enabling the delivery of safe, high-quality, reliable, and clinically effective healthcare services.

 

“I encourage all pharmacists, in all areas of practice and in all career stages to make the most of the Professional Practice Standards Quality Improvement and Self-assessment Implementation Program as a contemporary, evidence-based resource to guide their quality professional practice.

 

“By incorporating these standards into daily practice, pharmacists will ensure safe, effective and person-centred care for all Australians,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

The launch of this interactive program reaffirms PSA’s dedication to supporting pharmacists to provide top-quality healthcare services to the community. PSA remains committed to equipping pharmacists with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their roles and improve patient outcomes.

 

The Professional Practice Standards, the implementation program, and more are available at https://www.psa.org.au/practice-support-industry/pps/

 

 

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

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Consultation begins for palliative care foundation training program

13 October 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has opened consultation for the development of the National Palliative Care Foundation Training Program announced earlier this year.

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PSA is seeking input from pharmacists and other key stakeholders to help inform the learning objectives and content for this training program.

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PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS encouraged all pharmacists to submit their feedback.

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“This foundation training program is about upskilling the most easily accessible health professional to support palliative care,” Dr Sim said.

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“Upskilling pharmacists in palliative care will increase the capacity of palliative care teams to support people who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness.

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“I strongly encourage pharmacists, whether experienced or interested in palliative care or not, to share their views to help us create a training program that best serves the needs of patients, their families and palliative care multidisciplinary teams.”

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Consultation for the National Palliative Care Foundation Training for Pharmacists closes on 17 November 2023.

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To contribute your views, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/UfW50J4LHX

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

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Next generation of early career pharmacy leaders announced

12 October 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has appointed ten early career pharmacists from around Australia to lead the ECP Community of Specialty Interest (CSI), and support ECP Board Director Ayomide Ogundipe MPS as CSI Chair.

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The ECP Community of Specialty Interest will be led by:

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  • Ayomide Ogundipe MPS (Chair)
  • Abby Richardson MPS
  • Elissar Mansour MPS
  • Erin Cooper MPS
  • Jala Moushi MPS
  • James Buckley MPS
  • Keiran Batavia MPS
  • Monique Licht MPS
  • Raymond Truong MPS
  • Shaylee Mills MPS

 

ECP Board Director and Community of Specialty Interest Chair Ayomide Ogundipe MPS celebrated the diverse range of skills and experience each leader brings to the team.

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“Working closely with the CSI leadership team, we are continuing to build and foster peer support through mentoring, engagement with ECPs across all states and territories and policy and advocacy,” Ms Ogundipe said.

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“Our profession is seeing a paradigm shift in practice and scope, and it is so important that ECPs are part of these discussions moving forward to bring their diverse insights and experiences to the table.

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“Through the CSI Early Career Pharmacists have a direct avenue to actively engage with PSA and the broader profession. I encourage all pharmacists in the early stages of their careers to get involved and join the CSI.”

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PSA Chief Executive Officer A/Prof Steve Morris also welcomed the ECP leadership team.

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“The ECP Community of Specialty Interest offers pharmacists in the early stages of their careers the opportunity to connect with their colleagues and shape the direction of our profession,” A/Prof Morris said.

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“PSA proudly supports early career pharmacists to get the most out of their careers, from their registration to retirement.

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“I am looking forward to continuing our work with Ayomide and her team to ensure that PSA is best supporting pharmacists at all stages of their careers.”

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The Early Career Pharmacist – Community of Specialty Interest is an exclusive forum for PSA members. Join PSA today by visiting www.psa.org.au/membership

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

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PSS elects next President

11 October 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has thanked outgoing Pharmacist Support Service (PSS) President John Coppock OAM FPS for his service to the profession, having led the organisation since 2010.

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PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS acknowledged Mr Coppock’s longstanding dedication to supporting pharmacists and the broader profession.

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“PSA has long supported the vital work that PSS does to ensure that pharmacists have mental health resources available when they need them and will continue to do so.

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“We are immensely proud of the impact that John, CEO Kay Dunkley, and their team at PSS have had on our profession, lending a listening ear to any pharmacist, pharmacy student or intern who may need it. It is with this support that we can provide the best care to our own patients.

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“On behalf of the profession I sincerely thank John for his many years of leadership and wish him well in his well-deserved retirement.”

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Dr Sim also congratulated Curtis Ruhnau MPS on his election as the next PSS President, alongside Helen Dowling MPS who was re-elected as Vice President, and PSA Life Member David North OAM MPS who was re-elected as Treasurer.

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“Curtis is a strong leader with a genuine understanding of the challenges our profession is facing.

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“I have no doubt that the PSS will thrive under his leadership.

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“I look forward to continuing our work with PSS, under Curtis’ leadership, to support pharmacists and the profession,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

The Pharmacists Support Service (PSS) is available to provide a listening ear and support over the phone every day of the year from 8am to 11pm AEDT. Call 1300 244 910 for anonymous and confidential support from a pharmacist colleague over the phone.

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

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Quality Use of Medicines Alliance funded to promote health literacy

9 October 2023

 

Two new grants to support consumer health literacy and improve the use of medicines will see peak health and consumer organisations working side-by-side.

 

The Quality Use of Medicines 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.

 

The grants will run over a 2-year period and address priority quality use of medicines issues for atopic dermatitis, gout, antidepressants in older people and oral anticoagulants, awarded under the Australian Government’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) Program.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said that improving the Quality Use of Medicines requires all health professionals working together.

 

“PSA is proud to be part of the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, awarded health professional education and consumer health literacy grants by the Department of Health and Aged Care to improve health literacy and education,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Evidence shows that when health professionals and consumers work together, we can support more effective healthcare, better medicine safety and improved health outcomes.

 

“We are working with the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance to close knowledge gaps in atopic dermatitis, gout, oral anticoagulants, and antidepressants in older people.

 

“Through this work, PSA is proudly supporting pharmacists to not only champion safe and effective medicine use, but also to support health literacy and information for our patients.”

 

The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance consists of:

 

  • Medcast: a nationwide provider of independent education for a range of health professions
  • Health Care Consumers’ Association: a peak health consumer organisation working to improve the quality and safety of health care
  • Arthritis Australia: the leading national arthritis charity supporting people living with all types of arthritis
  • Eczema Support Australia: a national support network advocating for people living with eczema
  • Pharmaceutical Society of Australia: the national peak professional pharmacy body representing Australia’s 36,000 pharmacists across all sectors and specialisations
  • QUM Connect: a specialist consultancy with experience and expertise in creating and implementing quality use of medicines initiatives to improve health outcomes
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: Australia’s largest professional general practice organisation responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice
  • Wiser Healthcare: a research collaboration involving the University of Sydney, Bond University, Monash University and the University of Wollongong, with a special interest in research in the areas of rational test ordering and quality use of medicines.

 

 

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

 

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Parliamentary Committee supports pharmacist-initiated UTI treatment in SA

27 September 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the final report of the Select Committee on Access to Urinary Tract Infection Treatment tabled in the South Australian Parliament today.

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The report recommends that:

  • antibiotic medication to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) be made available from South Australian pharmacists;
  • the program be permanent; and
  • that the model be implemented as soon as practicable.

 

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President Dr Manya Angley FPS-AACPA welcomed the report’s recommendations, calling on Health Minister Chris Picton MP to accept them in full.

 

“By implementing the Committee’s recommendations, the South Australian Government has the opportunity to improve access to care for patients across our state,” Dr Angley said.

 

“Almost all Australians will soon have access to treatment for UTIs from their local pharmacist as more programs are stood up. We cannot let South Australia fall behind.

 

“Regional and rural communities across South Australia will benefit enormously from being able to access treatment from their local pharmacist, freeing up our hardworking rural GPs for more complex patient needs.

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“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.

 

“As healthcare professionals we have a duty to provide timely, appropriate care to our patients, which means empowering our communities to access care in a way that best suits them.

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“PSA strongly supports the recommendations made in the Committee’s final report, and calls on the Minister to action them as soon as possible.

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“I join pharmacists across South Australia in saying that we forward to working with the Minister and SA Health to ensure that the program is implemented with the needs of patients at its core,” Dr Angley concluded.

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​The Select Committee on Access to Urinary Tract Infection Treatment’s final report can be found here.

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

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Ongoing contraceptive supply trial to begin this week

27 September 2023

 

Following an announcement from Health Minister Ryan Park MP, New South Wales has become the first Australian jurisdiction to authorise the extended supply of oral contraceptives by pharmacists under the NSW Pharmacy Trial.

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) New South Wales President Luke Kelly FPS welcomed the start of the program, which was first announced in November 2022.

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“Improving safe access to contraception is essential to improving health care for all Australians,” Mr Kelly said.

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“Pharmacists participating in the trial will be able to continue the supply of an existing low-risk contraceptive without renewed prescription, better supporting contraceptive adherence as well as saving patients time and money.

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“This trial will make oral contraception more accessible to more women in New South Wales.

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“Pharmacists are ready and able to improve healthcare for all Australians, offering safe, accessible, and equitable access to contraception and expert advice on their options.

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“Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional and are well placed to support patients in accessing timely care.

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“This is about making sure that Australians can access safe contraception when and where they need it,’ Mr Kelly concluded.

 

NSW Pharmacists can enrol in the NSW – Contraception Essentials training program here.

 

For more information on the NSW Pharmacy Trial, visit NSW Health.

 

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

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Vale Ross Brown AM FPS

26 September 2023

 

Ross Brown

(Image courtesy of Australian Pharmacist)

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has paid tribute to Ross Brown AM FPS, PSA’s second National President (1979-1980), who sadly passed away over the weekend.

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Mr Brown also served as councillor on PSA’s New South Wales Branch for 40 years, was one of Australia’s highest ranked Army Reserve officers, and a former Director and Deputy Board Chair at Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API).

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Since his registration in 1952, Mr Brown dedicated much of his time to developing Australian pharmacy into what we know it as today, pioneering the use of computers in Australian pharmacy when he oversaw the installation of the country’s second ever IBM 360 computer at Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.

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PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS paid tribute to Mr Brown.

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“Ross Brown was an inspiration, he set the foundation for the PSA during his years as our National President and we will always remember the significant contribution he has made to PSA and the profession more broadly.

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‘He is widely recognised as one of the greatest modern contributors to the combined development of pharmacy professional services, corporate pharmacy, military pharmacy and academic pharmacy in New South Wales and Australia.

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“Ross was a tireless advocate for our profession, his support instrumental to the success of the University of Sydney’s Pharmacy School and the Pharmacy Practice Foundation as well as the establishment of the Ross Brown (AM) Scholarship for elite athletes studying pharmacy.

 

“On behalf of all pharmacists, my deepest condolences are with the Brown family, their friends, and many colleagues around Australia,” Dr Sim concluded.

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​Read more about Mr Brown’s impressive career here.

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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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