Thursday 1 August 2019

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes today’s announcement from WA Health Minister the Hon Roger Cook MLA to expand the scope of pharmacist-administered vaccinations.

PSA WA Branch President Dr Fei Sim commended the government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more West Australians 16 years and over from dTpa (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and meningococcal (ACWY).

“Allowing trained pharmacists to administer these vaccines will significantly increase the immunisation rates within the community,” she said.

“While Australia has a strong childhood vaccination program, there are many areas in Australia with vaccination rates still below the level of coverage required for herd immunity, including for dTpa and MMR. Pharmacists can play a key role in addressing this issue.”

Research has shown internationally and locally that pharmacists are considered highly accessible and enabling them to vaccinate against more preventable diseases will help reduce the burden on our already over-burdened healthcare system.

Independent research commissioned by PSA has revealed almost two-in-three Australians believe pharmacists should be able to administer a broader range of vaccinations. PSA commends the WA Government for enabling the profession to do just this.

The recent increase in measles cases in Australia, highlights the need to increase the accessibility of this vaccine and the need for a national approach to pharmacist-administered vaccinations.

“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 pharmacy workforce appropriately,” Dr Sim said.

“The introduction of pharmacist-administered MMR vaccinations in Western Australia is a great step forward, leaving Tasmania and the ACT as the only two jurisdictions where pharmacists cannot vaccinate against these diseases.”

The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, Indigenous Health Workers and other immunisers.

PSA commends the WA Government for making use of pharmacists’ expertise and training to better protect the community against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Photo: PSA WA Branch President Dr Fei Sim

Media contact:   Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer – 0487 922 176

29 July 2019

NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research the Hon Brad Hazzard MP today officially opened the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) NSW office in North Sydney.

PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll thanked Minister Hazzard for his attendance and acknowledged his efforts in providing better access to health and medicines in NSW – particularly in relation to the recent expansion of pharmacist-administered vaccination in NSW. This now includes influenza, measles mumps rubella and diphtheria tetanus and pertussis in patients 16 years and over.

“This has been a huge success and benefit to the people of NSW and we thank the Minister for making this a reality,” Professor Carroll said.

“We look forward to continuing this work with the Minister, particularly around the medicine safety priority, so that pharmacists in NSW can ensure patients use medicines safely and effectively.

“We also look forward to delivering better mental health care, because we know pharmacists are skilled and accessible health care professionals who will make a huge difference for patients.”

Professor Carroll also thanked NSW Health Chief Pharmacist Judith Mackson for her attendance at today’s event and her commitment to improving healthcare in the state.

The original PSA NSW Office was located in Science House in the CBD, before moving to St Leonards in 1976. The new office is located in Ridge Street, North Sydney and provides not only a workspace for PSA NSW staff but a wonderful location for PSA members to connect, develop professionally and celebrate the history of the pharmacy profession.

Photo: (L-R) NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research the Hon Brad Hazzard MP and PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll, Pharmacy House NSW

Media contact:   Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer – 0487 922 176

27 July 2019

Alice Hashiguchi from the University of Western Australia has won the 2019 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Award, announced at the PSA19 Gala Dinner in Sydney tonight.

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman congratulated Ms Hashiguchi on her exceptional achievement.

“The PSOTY Award gives outstanding pharmacy students the chance to showcase their counselling skills to their peers and the wider profession,” Dr Freeman said.

“We saw many rising stars of pharmacy apply their clinical knowledge and communication skills in this year’s competition.”

Kiralee Gross from James Cook University took home the People’s Choice award.

The judges were impressed by the strong field of finalists:

• Alice Hashiguchi, University of Western Australia
• Kiralee Gross, James Cook University
• Alyssa Murray, University of Queensland
• Patrick Bevan, University of Tasmania
• Sadaf Keshtiar, Monash University
• Samuel Watts, Monash University.

This year’s competition was once again sponsored by Mylan. The winner receives the National Travel Prize for pharmacy-specific education of an expenses-paid trip to a pharmacy conference.

Mylan Country Manager Sylvain Vigneault spoke of the organisation’s ongoing support of pharmacy students.

“Mylan has been a proud supporter the Pharmacy Student of the Year award since its inception.

“We recognise the important contribution that pharmacists make in facilitating better patient outcomes within their community. We feel strongly about encouraging pharmacy students to learn, grow and explore the role they will play, delivering better health in Australia,” he said.

“PSA thanks Mylan for their ongoing support of this award,” Dr Freeman said.

Photo caption: (L-R) 2019 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year Ms Alice Hashiguchi and Mylan Marketing Manager – Pharmacy Ms Jordana Sunderland

Media contact: Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer, 0487 922 176

Saturday 27 July 2019

Talented intern pharmacist Ayomide (Mide) Ogundipe is the winner of the 2019 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award.

Presented at PSA’s flagship conference PSA19 today, the award recognises intern pharmacists who demonstrate outstanding performance in their development as professional pharmacists, acting as role models amongst Early Career Pharmacists (ECP).

Ms Ogundipe completed her internship at Pharmacy 777 in Perth in 2018.

During her intern year she was actively involved in PSA’s ECP Working Group in WA, was Executive Director of Public Relations at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), and played a significant role in driving the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) Asia Pacific Regional Office initiatives.

Ms Ogundipe also successfully introduced a number of innovative programs and services to her practice, including Your Health Expo.

In accepting her award, Ms Ogundipe said her greatest learning experience as an intern was deciding her areas of interest and developing her professional practice in a manner that allows her to have a solutions-based outlook. She also provided advice to new pharmacy interns.

“Take ownership of your role and allow yourself to stay teachable – you are a few steps away from your general registration, use the year to consolidate everything you’ve learnt throughout your studies, build your professional experience and find areas that interest you. There is something to learn from everyone,” she said.

MIMS Australia is the leading sponsor of the award and contributed the major prize of $5,000 for the winner to put towards attending any pharmacy or educational conference approved by PSA.

Robert Best, CEO of MIMS Australia and New Zealand said, “For over 55 years, MIMS has been and continues to be, committed to supporting young healthcare professionals from all parts of the healthcare ecosystem.

“It is with immense pleasure that we support community and hospital pharmacists and the interns within them by providing world class medications information that support excellence in patient care and medication management.

“Being able to reward excellence in young innovative people and recognise their outstanding contributions is extremely exciting for the entire team at MIMS. These interns are the future of pharmacy!”

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman congratulated Ms Ogundipe on her achievements and dedication to the profession.

“Ms Ogundipe completed her internship to an exceptionally high standard, showing great initiative and openness to collaboration,” Dr Freeman said.

Photo: (L-R) CEO of MIMS Australia and New Zealand Mr Robert Best; 2019 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year Ms Ayomide (Mide) Ogundipe; and PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman

Media contact: Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer, 0487 922 176

Saturday 27 July 2019

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) last night announced seven new Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contribution to PSA and the pharmacy profession.

The 2019 PSA Fellows are:

• Mr Tim Perry, NSW

Mr Perry has owned and managed community pharmacies in Sydney for 25 years. In recent times, he has worked as a non-dispensing Clinical Pharmacist in various medical practices. He also established his own Medicines Review Company, playing a key role in medicine safety through the provision of HMRs and RMMRs in collaboration with community pharmacies, GPs and other healthcare teams.

• A/Prof Rebekah Moles, NSW

A/Prof Moles is a pharmacist with experience in community and hospital pharmacy as well as research into the Quality Use of Medicines both in pediatric dosing and in transitions of care – post hospital discharge. She has dedicated much of her time to both the education and professional development of pharmacists across Australia. She is also a volunteer on PSA’s NSW Branch Committee where she supports PSA’s advocacy messages through meetings with state and federal politicians.

• Mr Phil Dibben, NSW

Mr Dibben has been a community pharmacy owner for over 40 years in the Newcastle area. In the 1990s, he was influential in bringing Breath-a-Tech, a revolutionary asthma treatment device, to the market. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Master of Pharmacy Program at the University of Newcastle where he is a member of the pharmacy advisory group.

• Mrs Karen Carter, NSW

Mrs Carter is a community pharmacy owner in Gunnedah and Narrabri. She has worked in both hospital and community pharmacy across the span of her pharmacy career and is also an accredited pharmacist – providing HMRs and RMMRs. Recognising the severe impacts of the drought in her region, Mrs Carter was proactive in liaising with PSA to establish a course to ensure pharmacists were equipped to best support the mental health challenges faced by the community.

• Dr Claire O’Reilly, NSW

Dr Claire O’Reilly is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Pharmacy School.

She was previously National Vice President of PSA (2011-2014) and was the first pharmacist to be appointed to the Medical Services Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the Federal Government on the strength of evidence for the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medical technologies.

• Mr Bill Suen, VIC

Mr Suen contributed to a number of pharmacy practice changes during his tenure as PSA Victoria State Manager. He worked with the Victorian Branch Committee to establish the Victorian Family Tree mentoring program to support young pharmacists and PSA members develop their careers. This has now evolved into a national mentoring program. He also advocated for developments in pharmacy practice including: pharmacist-administered vaccinations; real-time prescription monitoring; and pharmacotherapy training and enhanced roles for pharmacists.

• Ms Michelle Lynch, VIC

Ms Lynch is the National Hospital Pharmacy Manager at Ramsay Health Care and current PSA National Vice President. She has previously served as PSA Victoria Branch Committee Vice President and President. One of her most significant contributions to the profession was in the Parliamentary Inquiry into the roles and opportunities for community pharmacy in primary and preventative care in Victoria in 2014. Speaking at the inquiry, she advocated for expanding the role of pharmacists to improve health outcomes and reduce medicine-related harm.

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman congratulated the new Fellows and acknowledged the significant impact they have had throughout their careers.

“Each of the people recognised this evening have made, and continue to make, outstanding contributions to the pharmacy profession,” he said.

“On behalf of PSA, I thank them for their ongoing service and dedication to improving pharmacy practice and patient care.”

Photo caption: (L-R) Dr Chris Freeman; Dr Claire O’Reilly; A/Prof Rebekah Moles; Ms Michelle Lynch; Mr Tim Perry, Mr Phil Dibben; Mrs Karen Carter

Media contact: Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer, 0487 922 176