Limits on dispensing to ensure equitable access of medicines

19 March 2020

From today, pharmacists will be enforcing Federal Government direction to limit dispensing and sales of prescriptions and certain over the counter medicines for the benefit of all Australians.

These limits will apply to particular classes of medicines for which unavailability would result in significant health impacts for patients should treatment be interrupted or delayed.

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said limiting the dispensing of prescription and over-the-counter products to one month’s supply was necessary to address the issue of people stockpiling medicines due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Government has made it clear to the public that it is critical to stop stockpiling medicine to protect the access of medicines to all Australians,” he said.

“Demand for medicines has increased considerably in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has the potential for numerous product lines to be out of stock and some pharmacists are being pressured and abused to provide unsafe quantities of medicine.”

“There is currently no anticipation of widespread national medicine shortages, however if current levels of demand through excessive purchasing continue, supply interruptions will occur which is why these measures have been put in place.

“We need to put the brakes on selfish buying, some members of the community, who are stockpiling medicines, are abusing pharmacists and this clearly needs to stop.

“A bold decision has been made today to start putting a limit on the sale of certain medicines.”

Pharmacists will be asked to limit dispensing of certain prescription products to one months’ supply at the prescribed dose, and sales of certain over-the-counter medicines to a maximum of one unit per purchase.

In addition, pharmacists will be strongly encouraged to limit dispensing and sales of all other medicines to one months’ supply or one unit.

Dispensing of multiple repeats is only permitted for valid Regulation 49 prescriptions, which must only be written by prescribers when hardship provisions apply.

Associate Professor Freeman said pharmacists were working in the interests of the community and patients and it was important they were treated with respect.

“Pharmacists are working in the best interests of the community and their patients. The current supply network for medicines is adequate to meet demand and if we all do the right thing there will be enough medicines for all who need them.”

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

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Victorians to be better protected by removing barriers to vaccination by pharmacists

12 March 2020

Pharmacists will now be able to protect more Victorians against vaccine-preventable diseases in a move announced by the Victorian Government today that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

For the first time, trained pharmacists in Victoria will be able to administer Meningococcal ACWY to people aged 15 years and over. The minimum age for pharmacist-administered measles-mumps-rubella and whooping cough vaccines has been lowered to people aged 15 years (previously 16 years)

In addition, as previously announced by Victoria Health Minister Jenny Mikakos last year, trained pharmacists will also be able to administer influenza vaccinations to people aged 10 years and above (previously 16 years and over). All changes will come into effect on 1 April 2020.

Changes to the Secretary Approval: Pharmacist Immunisers gazetted today will also allow greater flexibility for pharmacists to provide vaccinations via mobile and outreach services of a hospital, pharmacy or pharmacy depot.

PSA Victorian President John Jackson welcomed the move to increase access to pharmacist-administered vaccinations services in Victoria, and in particular to formally lower the minimum vaccination age from 16 years to 10 years for influenza vaccinations in readiness for the 2020 influenza season.

“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure, increasing options for Victorians to access vaccination services is extremely helpful,” Mr Jackson said.

“Our members have experienced parent’s frustrations in recent influenza seasons where it was difficult to arrange access for their children to get their seasonal influenza vaccine and these changes will go a long way to addressing this hurdle.”

Mr Jackson commended the government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more Victorians from influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Pharmacists are well trained in the administration of these vaccines and are more accessible to the community than any other health provider. Pharmacists have become an integral part of Victoria’s vaccination provider network, and these changes will allow pharmacists to make a greater contribution to increasing immunity in our community,” he said.

PSA commends the Victorian Government and the Department of Health and Human Services for continuing to support the use of pharmacists’ expertise and training.

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has advocated for many years, including most recently in PSA’s Victorian pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to deliver more vaccinations to a wider age range of patients. We will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government to remove more barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to protect the Victorian community.”

Media contact: Stefanie Johnston 0417 910 738

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Leading NSW pharmacists honoured

Friday, 6 March 2020

Forbes based pharmacist Sarah Hazell has received the NSW pharmacist of the year award at the Annual Celebration of Excellence in Pharmacy, hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll presented the award to Ms Hazell at the Crown Plaza in Terrigal on Friday night.

Jennifer Culverson won the NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the year award and Michael Flannery was presented with the NSW Lifetime Achievement honour.

Professor Carroll congratulated Ms Hazell for her continued commitment in providing positive health outcomes to the local community.

“Sarah has a great understanding of the Forbes local community and has shown a real focus on developing not just pharmacists’ career progressions but also pharmacy assistants, nurses and dispensary technicians,” said Professor Carroll.

“Among many of her achievements, Sarah has enhanced indigenous health by initiating a QUMAX agreement with local medical centres, also developing a health hub with health professionals utilising clinic rooms such as Podiatrists, a Registered Nurse, an Audiometrist and Physiotherapists.

“Sarah is a leader in her community and a mentor to young pharmacists and is a well-deserved winner of this award.”

Jennifer Culverson from Orange was also recognised for her achievements, receiving the NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year award.

“Not only is Jennifer heavily involved in the education of pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University, she has also played a key role within the respiratory space on the medical ward at Orange Health Service over the past twelve months,” Professor Carroll said.

“Jennifer has the upmost respect from her colleagues and has shown outstanding commitment to expand the pharmacists’ role within the hospital setting through research and innovation.

“Over a period of time, Jennifer has demonstrated admirable qualities and displayed a high level of drive, determination and passion to extend the role of a pharmacist in the rapidly changing field of healthcare.”

Jennifer was also the recipient of the PSA/Bayer ECP grant valued at $8,500, which supports early career pharmacists in attending the main conference program at PSA’s Offshore Conference in Edinburgh and Belfast in 2020.

Professor Carroll also congratulated Sydney based pharmacist Michael Flannery who was presented with the NSW Lifetime Achievement award.

“Michael is the perfect example of the community pharmacist and has shown terrific passion and dedication to the pharmacy profession over many years.

“Managing Director and founder of Instigo, Micahel is also the founder of Pharmacy Catalyst and CEO of Life Pharmacy Group that has numerous examples of partners who Michael has mentored and supported from school student, through cadetship, to intern to Pharmacist and through to owner.

“Michael has also represented the pharmacy industry nationally and internationally as well as sitting on a number of committees and working groups.”

PSA Contact: Simone Diamandis: 0414 574 754

Government decision will protect more SA children from influenza

Friday, 6 March 2020

South Australian children will have increased access to life saving vaccinations thanks to changes in pharmacists’ scope of practice announced today by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade.

“Last year we saw South Australia hit by one of the worst flu seasons on record and the best way to protect our community in the future is through immunisation,” Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) South Australian President, Robyn Johns said.

“The more barriers we can remove to people getting vaccinated the better. The goal is herd immunity, having as many members of our community protected from infectious diseases like the flu as possible.

“Research shows consumers find pharmacies highly accessible because there is usually one in our neighbourhood or nearby and they are generally open longer hours than other primary health care services.

“Pharmacists already provide a range of vaccinations including flu vaccinations for South Australians 16 years and over. Now, pharmacists can extend this proven, safe service to children 10 years of age and above.”

“The Government is to be commended for bringing South Australia into line with pharmacist vaccination in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, leading the way for other jurisdictions.”

Pharmacists authorised to provide vaccination services are trained in the administration of medicines. Pharmacists’ training to administer vaccines is similar to that completed by other health care professionals. The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, indigenous health workers and other immunisers.

“We believe this decision will protect more South Australians from influenza by increasing immunisation rates within our community at a time when people are concerned about protecting themselves from the communicable diseases,” Ms Johns said.

“We need people to be protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly at this time when there are concerns about the impact of coronavirus in our community.”

PSA continues to advocate for a national approach to pharmacist administered vaccinations to reduce confusion, ensure better access for patients to quality vaccination services and utilise the pharmacist workforce appropriately.

Media contact: Helen Stone, 0418 846 426