Exceptional NSW pharmacists recognised!

Saturday 12th March 2022

 

Outstanding pharmacists have been recognised at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) NSW Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU) conference held this evening in Newcastle.

 

The annual NSW ATU conference brings together the pharmacy profession to discuss the latest activity and innovation within the health sector to support the delivery of high-quality healthcare to the community.

 

During this annual event, the NSW Pharmacy Awards are held. These awards acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of outstanding NSW pharmacists through the Intern Pharmacist of the Year, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacist of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement awards.

 

This year’s winners are as follows:

• Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Blake McCallum
• Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Sarira El-den
• Pharmacist of the Year – Lucian (Luke) Kelly
• Lifetime Achievement – Grahame Cox

 

PSA’s NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, congratulated the winners on their success and acknowledged their contributions.

 

“I congratulate this year’s award recipients for their substantial contribution to the profession, supporting the health and wellbeing of the NSW community.

 

“The calibre of submissions this year was once again very high, and it wasn’t an easy decision when you consider the way in which pharmacists have stepped up over the past two years,” she said.

 

Former NSW Branch Committee member and Hunter Valley-based pharmacist, Luke Kelly, was awarded Pharmacist of the Year for his contribution to pharmacy education, student mentoring and ground level support of community pharmacists.

 

“Luke has been recognised for his significant contribution to the pharmacy profession in New South Wales, and as he is President of the Newcastle Hunter Valley Pharmacists Association, it is fitting that he has received this honour here in Newcastle.

 

“He offers critical support services to community pharmacy and has supported the roll out of programs including My Health Record and other mental health initiatives across the region, notably, the depression screening program, EMPATHISE. He is also a pharmacist mentor in the national PharMIbridge trial,” Ms Felkai said.

 

Sydney-based pharmacist, Grahame Cox, an influential pharmacy academic, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to Australian pharmacy over the course of 50 years.

 

“Grahame was amongst the second cohort of pharmacy students accepted into the University of Sydney, enrolled in the recently-established Bachelor of Pharmacy course in 1961. He was also instrumental in the formation of Pharmacy Graduates Association.

 

“In 1969, he was the first pharmacy graduate to be appointed to the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, where he went on to serve for eight years.

 

“Over the course of his career he worked in community pharmacy, government and also served as an inspector with the NSW Pharmacy Council, all whilst lecturing at the University of Sydney and taking part in seminars and conferences on behalf of the PSA.

 

“His illustrious career, spanning over half a century, has had substantial impact on modern pharmacy across the state, and his advocacy for the profession has helped make Australian pharmacy what it is today,” Ms Felkai said.

 

Sarira El-den, Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, was named Early Career Pharmacist of the Year for her outstanding contribution to pharmacy education and research.

 

“Sarira has trained thousands of pharmacists around Australia in mental health. Her passion for pharmacy drives her to improve the way pharmacists care for vulnerable patients with mental health issues and she is an integral researcher in this field.

 

“She is one of the lead investigators in the PharMIbridge trial and has also led the development of training and educational resources which support perinatal women suffering from depression,” Ms Felkai said.

 

Broken Hill-based intern pharmacist, Blake McCallum, was awarded Intern Pharmacist of the Year for the exceptional level of support he has provided to rural and regional communities.

 

“Blake is a passionate, emerging pharmacist who has been integral in vaccinating rural and remote Western NSW communities against COVID-19.

 

“His knowledge base and exceptional clinical skills has had a significant impact on the Broken Hill community and his work with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Maari Ma Health, demonstrates his commitment to improving the health of his community,” Ms Felkai said.

 

PSA congratulates all winners on their achievements and thanks them for their service to pharmacy in NSW.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacist named NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year!

9 March 2022

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Anna Barwick on being named the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year. The NSW Women of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions from women across the state.

 

Ms Barwick, PSA’s 2021 NSW Pharmacist of the Year, was honoured by Premier Perrottet in Sydney this morning for her contribution to the state’s health system and telehealth more specifically. Ms Barwick also served on PSA’s NSW Branch Committee from July 2014 to June 2020.

 

A PhD candidate at the University of Queensland who hails from Walcha, Ms Barwick is the founder of PharmOnline, an innovative platform which connects Australian patients living in remote areas with pharmacy services.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, congratulated Anna on her achievement.

 

“On behalf of the PSA, I congratulate Anna on receiving this prestigious award – she is utterly deserving of such an honour.

 

“As a PSA member and last year’s Pharmacist of the Year in NSW, Anna’s efforts have ensured that Australians living in geographically remote areas can access essential healthcare, particularly in the management of safe medication use, irrespective of their location.

 

“Anna was also a recipient of PSA’s Pharmacy Shark Tank award at our national conference last year and PSA is proud to have supported Anna with her innovation.

 

“Anna truly embodies excellence in pharmacy, and on the back of International Women’s Day yesterday, I am delighted to see that an outstanding female pharmacist has been acknowledged for her devotion to improving the lives of the NSW community,” he said.

 

Upon receiving the award, Ms Barwick said her focus is to improve the health of Australians living in regional areas.

 

“It is an honour and a privilege to be recognised amongst an outstanding group of women in both the NSW Minerals Council Regional Woman and the Premier’s Woman Award. I would like to thank the sponsors and organisers from the Department of Communities and Justice, along with the Minister for Women, The Hon Bronnie Taylor, for championing women on IWD.

 

“I dedicate this honour to all pharmacists and pharmacy staff that remained available and supported their local communities throughout the pandemic. You are truly inspirational!

 

“My team of pharmacists is growing. They have a number of specialities that are not readily available in regional and rural areas, helping to reduce barriers to medication expertise and healthcare. I would like to thank them for putting their trust in me to create a new way to access pharmacists.

 

PSA congratulates Anna on her achievement and thanks her for her service to Australian pharmacy.

 

Learn more about Anna’s work in Australian Pharmacist

Pharmacists can help resolve troubling aged care findings

Monday 7^th March 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is renewing its call for embedded pharmacists in residential aged care facilities, following worrying findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

 

The first quarterly report on the AIHW National Mandatory Quality Indicator Program for residential aged care services since its expansion to include medication management, specifically ‘polypharmacy’ and ‘antipsychotics’, shows some concerning findings.

 

The report revealed that over 40% of residents were prescribed nine or more medications and 50% of those who were prescribed an antipsychotic had no diagnosis of psychosis.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, was deeply troubled by these findings.

 

“It feels like Groundhog Day when it comes to medicine-related problems in aged care, as worrying data continues to emerge.

 

“The AIHW report has revealed that more than 40% of Australia’s aged care residents are taking nine or more medicines, an indicator that has a direct correlation to medication-related harm and 100% chance that each of those residents have a clinically significant drug interaction.

 

“With more than 19,000 Australians in residential aged care prescribed antipsychotics with no indication, the level of chemical restraint must be addressed.

 

“The evidence is clear, the more medicines someone is prescribed, the more likely it is to cause harm. Pharmacists therefore need to be an embedded part of the aged care equation if medication misadventure is to be minimised and rectified.

 

“As the custodians and experts of medication safety, embedding pharmacists in aged care is the obvious solution to address the longstanding issue of polypharmacy and chemical restraint in aged care facilities.

 

“This is not speculative, including pharmacists as part of the aged care workforce WILL improve medication management, reduce medication-related harm, and improve quality of life for aged care residents.

 

“The Government can’t continue to beat around the bush on this matter, especially when the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable are at stake. The solution to this crisis is right under their noses.

 

“PSA is once again calling on the Morrison Government to end the neglect by embedding pharmacists in Australia’s aged care facilities,” he said.

 

Debbie Rigby, Chair of PSA’s Interdisciplinary Team-based Care Community of Specialty Interest (ITBC-CSI), welcomed the expansion of the report to include medication management as a quality indicator, however, she criticised the indicator for grossly underestimating the problem.

 

“These findings are deeply concerning – but what is equally concerning – is how the data for reporting against the polypharmacy quality indicator is currently being derived.

 

“The current polypharmacy quality indicator underestimates the true extent of the problem as providers are instructed to report on the number of medicine “products”, not the actual number of drugs or active ingredients, a resident has been prescribed.

 

“If a person is taking a medicine containing multiple ingredients, each one adds to the risk. Not counting them is nonsensical and clearly underestimates the full extent of the problem.

 

“PSA has been calling on the Quality and Safety Commission to address this flawed measure. In the meantime, residents’ lives are being put at risk, and that risk is very much under-reported by this measure.

 

“The aged care sector has been decimated by the pandemic, and the Royal Commission showed us that there have been systemic problems in the sector for some time. The Government must act now by embedding pharmacists in aged care facilities if we are to save lives and raise the overall standard of care,” Ms Rigby said.

 

PSA strongly supports the program’s objectives for aged care providers to have robust, valid data to measure and monitor their performance and supports continuous quality improvement in the care they provide to aged care recipients. Having more accurate measures will go a long way to supporting this.

 

 

Background:

 

PSA’s Medicine safety: aged care report found that:

• Over 95% of people living in aged care facilities have at least one problem with their medicines detected at the time of a medicines review; most have three problems
• 50% of people with dementia are taking medicines with anticholinergic properties, which can worsen confusion and other symptoms of dementia.
• One fifth of people living in aged care are on antipsychotics; more than half use the medicine for too long.

 

The Report from the Royal Commission in to Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that the Australian Government immediately improve access to quality medication management reviews for people receiving aged care by:

1. allowing and funding pharmacists from 1 January 2022 to conduct reviews on entry to residential care and annually thereafter, or more often if there has been a significant change to the person receiving care’s condition or medication regimen;
2. amending the criteria for eligibility for residential medication management reviews to include people in residential respite care and transition care;
3. monitoring quality and consistency of medication management reviews.

 

The Royal Commission detailed well known issues in medicine management – notably the use of restrictive practices which could not be justified in 90% of cases, and overuse of sedating medicines.

 

PSA has suggested that a flexible practice model is needed to give aged care providers and residents the best access to pharmacist-delivered care, and accreditation of pharmacists entering aged care to perform medication reviews must remain mandatory to support consistent, high quality care.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Emergency supplies of medicines available from pharmacies

Wednesday 2^nd March 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is providing urgent advice to all people affected by flooding and natural disasters.

 

Under continued dispensing arrangements, most essential medicines that people are currently prescribed can be accessed from any local pharmacy across the country without a prescription during an emergency.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, reminded the public that they can still access medicines during this time of crisis.

 

“My thoughts and condolences go out to all Australians who have lost loved ones or been impacted by this tragic event, and I would like to remind you that you essential medicines can be accessed from any local pharmacy.

 

“There are some rules and limitations to these provisions, but pharmacists are familiar with these and can talk you through your options.

 

“These options weren’t available last time floods came through, and were only introduced in late 2019.

 

“One of the greatest public policy initiatives to come from the 2019/2020 bushfires and the pandemic, has been the ability for Australians to access lifesaving medicines from their pharmacist without a prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme during an emergency.

 

“With the Continued Dispensing rules currently set to expire on 30 June 2022, these floods are a timely reminder we need to make them permanent.

 

A/Prof Freeman thanked pharmacists for their work supporting flood-affected Australians:

 

“Pharmacists have already been working with emergency services to support people isolated and in need and have been doing an incredible job of ensuring continuity of health care and medicine supply to these affected east coast regions. I thank you all for your efforts and implore you to stay safe,” he said.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, offered advice to Queensland patients.

 

“My thoughts go out to all Queenslanders and their families who have lost their lives, property, or been displaced by these floods.

 

“Queensland is no stranger to natural disasters and I’m really proud of the stories I’m hearing of pharmacists going above and beyond for their communities.

 

“It is important that people know, that during emergency situations, any local pharmacist can guide you on the best way to access your medicines. In many cases, this can be a matter of life and death.

 

“While the flood waters will recede in coming days, the effects of the floods will be with us for some time, and your pharmacist can help make sure you have the medicines you need.” Mr MacDonald said.

 

PSA NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, urged NSW residents to stay safe.

 

“There are areas of Northern NSW that are tragically being affected by these floods and residents’ lives are being turned upside down.

 

“Pharmacists all across the state are coming together to support those most in need, and we thank you for this.

 

“We want all Australians to know, that in order to access essential medicines, they can go to any pharmacist during an emergency, and we are here to do whatever we can to help.

 

“The special authority arrangements allow patients to continue their vital medicines in the event that they cannot access a GP. Continuity of these medicines during this time is absolutely crucial.

 

“Whilst many areas are not through the worst of it, the health and wellbeing of all residents will be a priority as we recover from this. Please stay safe,” Ms Felkai said.

 

For emergency assistance in Queensland and NSW please contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency please call 000 (triple zero).

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes Moderna for children, but pay parity for vaccination services not on the Government’s radar.

Thursday 24^th February 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the provisional approval of the Moderna vaccine for children aged six years and over, but remains deeply concerned by the ongoing pay disparity when it comes to pharmacist remuneration.

 

A second COVID-19 vaccine option is now available for Australian children following yesterday’s decision from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but pharmacists’ remuneration for administering vaccines is still inadequate.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, welcomed Moderna’s inclusion, but said that the Government has run out of excuses to deny pharmacists equal pay for vaccination services.

 

“It is pleasing that Australian parents and their children are now able to choose from two highly-effective vaccines, adding another weapon to our arsenal for protecting the nation’s youth.

 

“Pharmacists have administered nearly 6 million vaccines to Australians, a sizeable contribution to the vaccination program – and I thank each and every pharmacist immuniser out there who has contributed to the program so far.

 

“Whilst increased vaccine choice and further expansion to eligibility are positive moves, it results in increased pressure on primary health, especially for Australia’s pharmacists.

 

“These changes signify progress in the fight against COVID-19, but under the surface, the inequality in pharmacists’ remuneration for administering these vaccines continues to jeopardise the program’s viability.

 

“Introducing a single MBS service payment to pharmacists for assessing suitability and administering vaccinations funded through the NIP will ensure that vaccines such as COVID-19 and influenza remain viable through community pharmacy.

 

“When it comes to vaccinations, you are receiving exactly the same service irrespective of location. However, huge discrepancies still remain between pharmacist remuneration and that of other health providers.

 

“Despite providing exactly the same service to an equally high standard, a discrepancy of $8.45 to that of other health providers still remains for pharmacists administering childhood doses. It is simply insulting.

 

“Toward the end of last year, we saw what can be achieved with better resourcing, as a $10 increase to vaccination payments for boosters precipitated record weeks of vaccinations – but now it is time for the Government to take the next step and remunerate pharmacists equally by providing a single MBS payment.

 

“This is critical to keeping the vaccine rollout program on track, particularly in relation to childhood vaccines, where they have reverted back very low payments for pharmacists. Subsequently, only half of the pharmacy network has opted to provide immunisations to this group.

 

“How much longer is it going to take them to recognise just how nonsensical this is?”

 

Background

The following table shows a breakdown of the pay rates for different providers:

Description	Pharmacists		General Practitioners
	*MM1 Fee	*MM2-7 Fee	*MM1 Fee	*MM2-7 Fee
First Dose Administration	$16	$19	$31.05	$37.70
Second Dose and Booster Dose Administration (by same provider)	$26	$29	$34.45	$37.80
Childhood 5-11 First Dose Administration	$16	$19	$24.45	$27.80
COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment (billable once only)	Nil	Nil	$39.10	$39.10

 

Pharmacists receive a flat $26 for administering a booster vaccine, whilst GPs may be able to claim additional dose administration ($34.45), and a suitability assessment ($39.10) for a total of $63.55. This is higher for GP’s in rural areas and after hours.

 

No after-hours payments are available for pharmacists despite many providing access outside of normal business hours.

 

If all three doses and a COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment are provided by the same practitioner, in a major city, a pharmacist would receive $68, whilst a GP would receive $139.05.

 

*MMM = Modified Monash Model defines whether a location is a city, rural, remote or very remote. It measures remoteness and

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes Canberra Script launch

Thursday 24^th February 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) ACT Branch welcomes today’s launch of the Territory’s new Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) system, Canberra Script.

 

To replace DAPIS Online Remote Access (DORA), the ACT’s previous RTPM system, Canberra Script includes several enhancements, such as, a simplified registration process and prompts and notifications that support practitioners in the safe prescribing and dispensing of high-risk medicines.

 

Canberra Script forms part of the new RTPM system being implemented across Australia.

 

PSA ACT Branch President, Olivia Collenette, said that Canberra Script will better protect the ACT community by supporting the safe and effective use of monitored medicines.

 

“Today, the ACT has launched its new RTPM system which is designed to minimise harm associated with monitored medicines, and PSA is pleased to see that the ACT Government has got this over the line.

 

“The Territory joins the majority of other Australian jurisdictions in forming the National Real Time Prescription Monitoring system, which continues to be progressively rolled out.

 

“It is quite unnerving to know, that over the past decade in Australia, drug-induced deaths were more likely to be a result of prescription medicines rather than illicit substances, and this is precisely why innovative harm minimisation systems like Canberra Script are needed.

 

“This patient-centric technology enables both prescribers and pharmacists to have informed discussions with their patients in a non-confronting way, providing them with greater oversight of what other monitored medicines the individual may be taking.

 

“Canberra Script will help shape conversations around the safe and effective use of these medicines, making it easier for clinicians to identify potentially harmful interactions and inappropriate dosages, helping them to make more informed, safer decisions.

 

“It is important to recognise that this system is not intended to disadvantage those patients where there is a clinical need for a particular medicine, it simply provides an additional safety net for prescribers, dispensers and most importantly, their patients.

 

“I strongly encourage all eligible health practitioners to register and utilise Canberra Script as a clinical support tool for managing Canberra patients on monitored medicines,” Ms Collenette said.

 

ACT Health has commissioned PSA to help develop the training for both prescribers and pharmacists in using the system, which will be available shortly after its launch. PSA is here to support Canberra pharmacists in any way possible.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Better access to PPE needed for ALL primary care workers

Friday 18^th February 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) WA Branch is calling for better support for the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) to be able to provide all primary health workers, especially pharmacists, with access to adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

 

Following Premier McGowan’s announcement earlier this week that a hard border reopening date will be announced in the next fortnight, more must be done to protect the state’s frontline health workers.

 

PSA WA Branch President, Keegan Wong, said that there is only a small window of opportunity left to adequately protect those on the frontline before case numbers explode.

 

“The end to the state’s border restrictions is now in sight, and for many, this is welcomed news – but for primary heallthcare, increased interstate socialisation poses significant risk to clinicians and their patients.

 

“We know there’s sufficient supply of PPE in the country and this should be made available so that ALL primary care clinicians can safely support their patients and the broader community. WAPHA are doing everything in their power to ensure that distribution delays are expedited and have been managing this brilliantly in the face of uncertainty.

 

“We are calling on the Federal and State Government to support our PHN to keep vital primary care services, including all pharmacies, open as the Omicron wave hits. Currently, only pharmacies providing COVID-19 vaccinations are included, and access to this PPE stops at the end of March, right when cases are expected to rapidly rise. This needs to be extended to all pharmacies, otherwise all pharmacy staff and vulnerable patients will be unnecessarily put at risk.

 

“Omicron has proven that future waves of different variants are inevitable and we need be ready for whenever that may be. We cannot risk furloughing of staff and primary health closures as a result of inferior protective equipment.

 

“We know that our frontline workers will need to use this protective equipment for the foreseeable future, and it is not acceptable that our health workers are not provided with adequate PPE.

 

“We cannot have a situation like on the East Coast, where there wasn’t adequate access to PPE when it was desperately needed it – and fortunately for the McGowan and Federal Governments, there is still time to provide frontline workers with equipment like N95 masks and adequate eye protection.

 

“Surgical masks simply don’t cut it, especially with variants like Omicron, which are primarily aerosol spread – so it’s time we started treating frontline health workers like professionals by giving them the premium standard of protection,” Mr Wong said.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463