Pharmacists reduce risk of medicine harm in Residential Aged Care by 50 per cent

15 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today joined pharmacists and researchers from the University of Canberra this morning to launch the findings of the Pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities (PiRACF) study.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS celebrated the release of PiRACF study final report, which will have a meaningful impact to aged care residents across Australia as the Federal Government begins implementation of the On-site Pharmacists in Aged Care Program from 1 July 2023.

 

The study found that on-site pharmacists in Residential Aged Care reduced the risk of medicine harm by 50 per cent, significantly improving patient safety and reducing pressure on aged care nurses and staff.

 

“Pharmacists have again shown the importance of our roles in facilitating the quality use of medicines wherever they are used,” said Dr Sim.

 

“To have a health system that is functioning for the safety of patients, we need pharmacists wherever medicines are administered.”

 

As a key collaborator on the project, PSA was proud to partner with UC to further train pharmacists and prepare them for roles in aged care. Prior to commencing in facilities, on-site pharmacists undertook online training in clinical topics that they were likely to encounter in aged care, such as pain management and the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

 

“PSA proud to have supported the PiRACF study as a key education and training provider for pharmacists.

 

“We were able to provide pharmacists participating in the program with the essential support and high quality training they needed to succeed and best help aged care patients.

 

“PSA is excited to play a significant role in the national roll out of On-site Aged Care Pharmacists this year, and we will continue to work closely with government to advocate for pharmacists in every RACF in Australia.

 

“Thank you to the University of Canberra and the PiRACF study team for their nation leading work with on-site Residential Aged Care pharmacists,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0410 505 315     E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

NSW Pharmacists of the Year celebrated in Port Stephens

4 March 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the exceptional pharmacists recognised in tonight’s New South Wales Excellence Awards as part of the Annual Therapeutic Update taking place in Port Stephens.

 

The awards were presented by PSA immediate past President, Professor Peter Carroll MPS.

 

The NSW Pharmacist of the Year Award was presented to former PSA State Manager Simone Diamandis FPS, for her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and advocacy for the expansion of pharmacist administered vaccines.

 

As the NSW PSA State Manager, Ms Diamandis worked closely with pharmacists, Government, the health department and other key stakeholders to drive policy change and improvements for pharmacists to better support their communities. Her work has resulted in better health outcomes for residents of NSW.

 

Her advocacy and leadership had a direct impact on the expansion of pharmacist-administered vaccinations and state-wide funding for the influenza vaccine program in 2022. She has also been a strong advocate for regulatory change and improved access to medicines for NSW residents through the many extensions of the temporary emergency authority.

 

Simone successfully secured funding for many projects, including playing an integral role in attaining the critical North Coast PHN trial of pharmacists treating minor ailments. She also worked collaboratively with key stakeholders on many other projects including pharmacist administration of depot buprenorphine, piloting pharmacists screening for Hepatitis C, palliative care education for pharmacists and their staff, establishing mental health friendly pharmacists and supporting pharmacists with the rollout of RTPM.

 

The NSW Intern of the Year Award is Elizabeth Langdon, an intern pharmacist practising on the South Coast. She has been recognised for her work in implementing harm minimisation strategies in three pharmacies.

 

Ms Langdon drove the rollout of the Opioid Harm Minimisation Strategy and SafeScriptNSW in Priceline Pharmacy Shell Harbour, Amcal North Nowra, and Callala Bay Pharmacy. For the Take-Home Naloxone program she played a pivotal role educating patients on its benefits and teaching patients how to use the drug correctly.

 

Working across both high-volume and smaller consulting dispensing-based pharmacies, Elizabeth has always engaged positively with colleagues and prescribers, and is truly skilled in translating medical jargon into plain English for her patients.

 

Langdon has presented to a community walking group, educating them on the quality use of complementary medicines in osteoporosis and diabetes. The group found the information interesting and relevant and have since asked her to present and discuss other medical topics to further their health literacy.

 

The NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year was awarded to Dr Jack Collins MPS for his research at the University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, focussed on the role of community pharmacists in facilitating self-care.

 

Dr Jack Collins’ research has employed a number of research methods in his work to optimise the medicines management role of pharmacists, focusing on non-prescription medicines, and mental health services. He has drawn on his clinical experience as a community pharmacist, coupled with his excellent research skills, to use novel approaches, such as the use of simulated patient methods, intervention evaluation, and mixed methods designs, to optimise the medicines management role of pharmacists.

 

Dr Collins has authored over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as two book chapters and an editorial for the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation. He has also represented Australian pharmacists in the media, having written for publication The Conversation.

 

Collins teaches across all years of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course at the University of Sydney and has developed and co-ordinated pharmacotherapy content for the University’s Dental degree, one of few in Australia.

 

Collins is currently the Chief Investigator on a funded research project that has brought together people with lived experience, mental healthcare professionals, and academics to create and pilot new psychosis-related educational materials in medicines, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry. This work will create a further understanding of how involvement of people with lived experience of mental illness in research and education can impact their recovery journey.

 

The NSW Lifetime Achievement Award recognised the contributions of Warwick Plunkett FPS over nearly 55 years, especially to Pharmacy professional bodies, the continuing professional education of pharmacists, and improvement to the quality use of medicines.

 

Warwick Plunkett has made an enormous contribution to pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. Throughout his career, Warwick has served as National President of PSA, NSW Branch President of PSA, President of the Australian College of Pharmacy Practice, President of the University of Sydney Pharmacy Practice Foundation, and President of the Board of Trustees of the Pharmacy Research Trust of NSW.

 

Warwick’s contributions to pharmacy practice and the quality use of medicines have also been numerous, including establishing the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program, which has greatly reduced the potential harm of having no longer needed, and out of date medicines in the home.

 

Plunkett was also heavily involved in the development and introduction of the PSA Self Care program which greatly assists pharmacists in counselling patients on the appropriate use of their medicines. Warwick has also played a pivotal role in the ongoing professional continuing education of pharmacists with the highlight being his leadership as the Chairman of the PSA Offshore Conference. He is also Chairman of the PSA Annual Education Conference and was responsible for introducing the annual PSA Excellence Awards and the annual UTS Innovative Pharmacist of the Year Awards.

 

PSA NSW Immediate Past President Professor Peter Carroll congratulated the winners on their awards, recognising their contributions to a rich and diverse profession.

 

“All of the pharmacists recognised in the NSW Excellence Awards have made significant and lasting contributions to their communities and the pharmacy profession,” Professor Carroll said.

 

“Excellence in pharmacy means excellence in patient care.

 

“I am incredibly proud to see the initiative and dedication of our award winners and congratulate each of them on their awards.

 

“As pharmacists and frontline health professionals, the pharmacists honoured in these awards are improving healthcare for all in New South Wales.”

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year: Adam Forrest MPS

3 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce community pharmacist Adam Forrest MPS as the 2023 SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year.

 

Adam is a community pharmacist practising at Terry White Chemmart Christies Guild best known for his unwavering commitment to quality use of medicines and his passion in areas such as mental health and Indigenous health.

 

In the pharmacy, Forrest drives chronic disease management programs in diabetes and asthma and led the pharmacy in becoming a dementia friendly practice. He has built a trusted relationship with the surrounding medical practitioners who acknowledge his expertise and seek his advice regularly.

 

He has been a preceptor to quite a few interns and has been a much appreciated mentor to students. He has a passion for teaching and mentoring pharmacists, with the philosophy that by helping pharmacists to reach their potential (and expectations of other pharmacists and consumers), we can lift the standard of the entire profession.

 

Additionally, he sits on the Adelaide Primary Health Network Clinical Council, tutors in the UniSA pharmacy program, and is an assessor for the intern oral exams.

 

PSA SA/NT President Veronika Seda presented the award alongside South Australian Health Minister the Hon. Chris Picton MP.

 

“Adam’s passion for the success and progression of the whole profession has seen him embrace new opportunities in pharmacy practice,” Ms Seda said.

 

“Adam exemplifies everything we love about pharmacists, from his dedication to building trusting relationships with his community, to providing the highest standard of care.

 

“I am proud to present this award to Adam tonight, and can’t wait to watch him continue to grow in his professional practise.”

 

PSA also presented the SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist Award to Dee-Anne Hull MPS, for her work in multidisciplinary care.

 

Dee covered a maternity leave position for the Pharmacists in Aged Care Project, a PSA project funded by the Country SA Primary Health Network. Her experience in working with a multidisciplinary team, collaborating to support high risk residents and using this experience as a basis to influence for the impact of pharmacists roles in Aged Care.

 

This led to a change in career trajectory to her current, non-traditional role, as a Quality and Clinical Specialist for Southern Cross Care within a multi-disciplinary leadership team. She has engaged with a broader audience, as a panellist, workshop facilitator and presenter. Dee has quickly developed the confidence to speak to colleagues and stakeholders about the changing landscape for pharmacists in aged care and she continues to encourage and support other pharmacists considering a career in aged care.

 

She launched the Aged Care Pharmacist- Australia Facebook page, and has quickly built this to a community of about 260 pharmacists sharing research and discussion. She continues to advocate for that vital connection onsite aged care pharmacists will build and foster with community pharmacies that are already dispensing medications for aged care. Dee values this vital link between prescribers, residential facilities and pharmacist services in both the current RMMR/QUM model and future on-site pharmacist models.

 

“Congratulations to Adam and Dee on their awards tonight, we are lucky to be home to such outstanding pharmacists,” Ms Seda concluded.

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

SA/NT Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Fran Vaughan MPS

3 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) SA/NT Branch has tonight announced the winners of its Annual Excellence Awards in Adelaide. The Awards were presented by South Australian Health Minister the Hon. Chris Picton MP as part of the annual celebration of Excellence in Pharmacy in Adelaide.

 

The SA/NT Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Fran Vaughan MPS, for her work in improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in particular those living in remote areas.

 

With a background in hospital and community pharmacy and Home Medicines Reviews, Fran has been able to transition these skills to onsite clinical pharmacist practice roles in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the Northern Territory and Queensland.

 

She is a strong advocate of the value of embedding a pharmacist into Aboriginal Health Services. Pharmacists working within Aboriginal Health Services can provide patients with culturally safe access to information about their medicines, provide education and training to existing staff on appropriate use of medicines, and assist in managing medications at transitions of care, such as discharge from hospital.

 

In her role as pharmacist adviser for National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO), she helped to facilitate the IPAC project (Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management) which showed positive benefits of integrating pharmacists into 18 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.  She is an experienced educator and has helped to prepare health professionals, including pharmacists, nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Practitioners (AHPs) and Workers (AHW) for remote and rural practice at the Centre for Remote Health, Flinders University.

 

She has also played a key role in the development of the Remote Primary Health Care Manuals (RPHCM) which guide health care delivery in remote areas. Her involvement spans over fifteen years and includes being a member of the Editorial Committee and leading the initial development of the Medicines Book for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners.  The Medicines Book presents information about commonly used medicines in simple language with illustrations.

 

PSA SA/NT President Veronika Seda congratulated Fran on her award and lauded her many achievements as remote pharmacist.

 

“Fran is a pharmacist who never seeks the limelight or sing her own praises.   She has worked tirelessly for decades to enhance and improve access to medicines and the quality use of those medicines, particularly for those who call remote Australia home,” Ms Seda said.

 

“Fran has worked across numerous roles, predominantly based in the NT with a short venture across to Thursday Island.  Clinically savvy and accredited for over 20 years she has worked in hospital pharmacy including as Chief Pharmacist at the Alice Springs Hospital, in academia at Flinders University, community pharmacy, an NPS educator role, with NACCHO and more recently undertaking projects trialling novel models of practice, she is always advocating for the value a pharmacist brings to the multidisciplinary healthcare team, in particular to enhance the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

“Ever humble, she is somewhat unaware of how many young pharmacists lives she has impacted throughout her career, on their journey through the red centre.”

 

“A clinician, an educator and a humanitarian, she typifies what it is, to be a “Deadly” pharmacist.  It is very fitting and deserving that she is recognised as this year’s SA/NT Lifetime achievement award winner.”

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

Pharmaceutical Society Gold Medal awarded to top student

3 March 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has tonight awarded the Pharmaceutical Society Gold Medal, recognising the University of South Australia student with the highest grade point average (GPA) in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) above 6.25.

 

Given the stringent criteria, the PSA Gold Medal is not awarded every year.  It is our most prestigious student award, and the recipient joins a very impressive and select group of pharmacists. PSA has been awarding the Gold Medal since 1896.

 

PSA SA Branch is pleased to present the Pharmaceutical Society Gold Medal to Layla McDougall.

 

Layla McDougall has recently completed a double degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science at the University of South Australia. She is currently completing her internship year with the Central Adelaide Health Network, based at the Royal Adelaide and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals.

 

In 2022 McDougall completed placements at Flinders Medical Centre in the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit and had a community placement at Green Dispensary Blackwood, while also working in the dispensary pharmacy at Flinders. She also contributed to a research project with the QUMPRC at UniSA in collaboration with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

 

“I look forward to seeing what the future of pharmacy holds and how I will be a part of it,” McDougall said.

 

“Currently, I find working with patients with chronic diseases most interesting and rewarding. In the next few years I aim to work as a hospital pharmacist, contribute to innovative research and complete the SA Pharmacy Residency Program.”

 

PSA SA/NT President Veronika Seda acknowledged Layla’s achievement and congratulated her on her academic success.

 

“The Pharmaceutical Society Gold Medal celebrates the outstanding academic success of pharmacy students, which is no small feat,” Ms Seda said.

 

“Congratulations to Layla on her achievement.”

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

Better access to vaccines and UTI treatment for Canberrans

3 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to welcome the ACT Government’s move to expand the vaccines and medicines that Canberrans can access from their local pharmacist.

 

From mid-March 2023, patients will be able to receive the hepatitis A and hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, typhoid and herpes zoster vaccines from their local pharmacist.

 

Canberrans will also be able to access pharmacist-prescribed antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs) under the New South Wales trial program.

 

PSA ACT President Olivia Collenette joined ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA to make the announcement on Friday morning.

 

“There should be no wrong door when patients are seeking a vaccine,” Ms Collenette said.

 

“Pharmacists are skilled and experienced immunisers who have delivered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccinations nationally.

 

“The average Australian visits a pharmacy 18 times each year. That’s 18 opportunities to impart a health message and encourage them to get up to date with their vaccinations. When we are able to deliver those vaccines right from the pharmacy, we are taking down a barrier to care.

 

“Pharmacists are well positioned to play a greater role in primary health care too, and with appropriate further training, can make oral contraception and UTI treatments more accessible for all Canberrans.

 

“It’s important that a patient in Queanbeyan does not have lesser or greater access to healthcare than a patient in the ACT.

 

“We welcome the ACT Government’s announcement and their commitment to equitable healthcare, and look forward to working with them closely to progress the role of pharmacists in the ACT.”

 

 

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

 

Update – below are participating pharmacies in the ACT

 

Pharmacy	Address	Suburb			Phone
Capital Chemist Charnwood	Charnwood Shopping Centre, Shops 7 & 8, Lhotsky Street	Charnwood			(02) 6258 4949
Gold Creek Discount Drug Store	3/46 O’Hanlon Place	Nicholls			(02) 6253 9702
Life Pharmacy Group Erindale	Erindale Shopping Centre, Shop 11, 2 Denigan Street	Wanniassa			(02) 6231 6550
Pharmasave Woden Pharmacy	Westfield Woden, Shop 67, 2 Keltie Street	Phillip			(02) 6282 3960
The Pharmacy On Petrie	The Canberra Centre, Shop EG01, A/148 Bunda Street, Ground Floor Petrie St	Canberra			(02) 6249 8074

Hundreds of medicines more accessible for Tasmanians under Rockliff’s plan

2 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement that continued dispensing arrangements have been expanded to include hundreds of new medicines, including the oral contraceptive pill, asthma puffers, statins, and medicines for the management of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

 

From Monday, 6 March, Tasmanians who urgently require a new supply of most Prescription Only Medicines can access a one-off supply from their local pharmacy in the event they are unable to access a renewed prescription.

 

PSA Tasmania President David Peachey welcomed the announcement and congratulated the Rockliff Government on implementing a leading medicine accessibility policy.

 

“The Tasmanian Government, under the leadership of Premier Jeremy Rockliff, is leading the nation with allowing more equitable access to medicines for chronic but stable conditions,” Mr Peachey said.

 

“We are the first state to permanently allow patients on a long-term medicines for stable chronic condition to access one additional repeat supply of their essential medicines directly from their local pharmacist if they cannot access a GP for any reason.

 

“This means that therapy will not be interrupted if a patient loses their medicine, they run out unexpectedly, or they can’t get in to see their GP for a repeat.

 

“Patient safety is paramount, and we need to ensure that clinical governance measures are in place.

 

 

“Pharmacists will need to verify previous and recent supply of the medicine to that patient – so if you’re not going to your regular pharmacy, keeping the empty box of the previous supply will help the pharmacist help you.

 

“Premier Rockliff has been a great supporter of pharmacists practicing to our top of scope, and I welcome the opportunity to continue working with him and his team to make healthcare more accessible for all Tasmanians.

 

 

 

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

Nominations now open for PSA leadership

2 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for pharmacists around Australia to nominate for leadership positions within their State or Territory Branch Committee.

 

PSA’s general election kicks off on the 2^nd March 2023, with nominations for Branch Committee positions open until COB on 30^th March 2023. Voting will be open to all PSA members from 4^th April to 1^st May 2023.

 

PSA CEO Mark Kinsela urged all PSA members to consider nominating for Branch Committee positions.

 

“PSA’s State and Territory Branch Committees are the voice for every pharmacist in their state,” Mr Kinsela said.

 

“As an organisation PSA represents a hugely diverse workforce, from all walks of life and a range of practise settings.

 

“PSA’s Branch Committees drive PSA’s advocacy and play a significant role in highlighting the role of pharmacists to politicians and to the public.

 

“As a member of a Branch Committee, you will support, promote and fight for the pharmacist profession.

 

“It’s important that our leadership also reflects the diversity of our workforce. We encourage pharmacists from all backgrounds and walks of life to nominate, bringing your unique perspective and experience to the committee.

 

“Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or looking to give back at the end, , I encourage you to be a voice for your profession and nominate for your local Branch Committee in 2023.

 

Nomination forms are available here.

 

Successful candidates for Branch Committee positions will be announced on 3^rd May 2023.

 

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

Have your say on the future of Professional Practice Standards

20 February 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has invited pharmacists, consumers and other members of the healthcare team to provide feedback on the revised draft of the Professional Practice Standards (PPS) Version 6 released this week.

 

PSA’s PPS articulate the values of the pharmacy profession and expected standards of professional behaviour of pharmacists towards individuals, the community and society. The PPS underpins the professional practice of all pharmacists in Australia.

 

The PPS Consultation will collate feedback from pharmacists from all areas of practice and specialties, pharmacy bodies, consumer groups, other members of the healthcare team and subject-matter experts across various areas of pharmacy practice.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim urged all stakeholders to give their feedback on the revised PPS draft.

 

“The practice of pharmacy has evolved significantly in the past five years. Regularly revising the Professional Practice Standards is an opportunity for clinical governance to stay up to date with the evolving roles of pharmacists,” Dr Sim said.

 

“The Standards reflect the important role of pharmacists in the fast-changing healthcare sector, with a focus on patient-centred collaborative care.

 

“It’s vital that we have diverse voices included in the Standards, including pharmacists, healthcare teams and consumers, so that they accurately reflect both the expectations of the professional requirements of contemporary pharmacist practice and patients.”

 

The draft revision of Professional Practice Standards and feedback can be accessed here.

 

 

 

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

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

Patients win with NSW prescribing pilot

19 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes today’s announcement from New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard that pharmacists will soon be able to renew existing scripts for the contraceptive pill and provide care to patients suffering from Urinary Tract Infections under a new clinical trial across all 2100 community pharmacies.

 

The announced prescribing trial for the treatment of UTIs is set to begin on 1 April 2023, with a trial for the renewal of oral contraceptive pill prescriptions to begin on 1 July 2023 and allow pharmacists to extend an original script issued by a GP or nurse practitioner in the past 2 years.

 

PSA NSW President Chelsea Felkai said that the pilot will significantly improve access to timely care for NSW patients, and reaffirmed PSA’s support for the program.

 

“Pharmacists are well-positioned to deliver quality, timely care to NSW patients experiencing uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections,” Ms Felkai said.

 

“Congratulations to PSA NSW Vice-President Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin and the University of Newcastle for her work in getting the UTI clinical trial up and running.

 

“Pharmacists participating in the pilot program will undergo additional training, including identifying signs of complex health conditions that require a referral to a GP or hospital.

 

“Trained Queensland pharmacists have been successfully prescribing for uncomplicated UTIs since 2020, giving patients timely access to medicines in an environment where it could otherwise take up to six weeks to get a GP appointment.

 

“The GP crisis shows no signs of easing, so we need every healthcare professional to be working to their top of scope and contributing to their full capacity.

 

“We have a health system that is approaching breaking point. The health profession needs to work together to support patients as their health needs become more complex. This includes reducing duplication and empowering patients with self-care.

 

“The entire pharmacist profession remains committed to working collaboratively with the entire health sector to deliver best outcomes for patients.”

 

PSA National President, Dr Fei Sim, also commended the NSW Government on this announcement, and called on other jurisdictions to follow suit.

 

“PSA has been calling on governments around Australia to allow pharmacists to play a greater role in community health.

 

“Pharmacists have the skills and medicine expertise to renew prescriptions for stable, chronic conditions. With ongoing GP shortages across the country, it is time for other jurisdictions to follow NSW’s lead.

 

“We are already working with pharmacists in NSW and around the country to provide clinical support and treatment guidelines for pharmacists to treat Urinary Tract Infections, and will continue to support patients getting timely access to healthcare.”

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.