SafeScript to combat medicine misuse

PSA welcomes the launch of Victoria’s real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) program
SafeScript to help tackle rising prescription-drug related deaths.

 

SafeScript will automatically transmit pharmacies’ prescription records for high-risk medicines to a
centralised database. It will use these records to send notifications to prescribers and pharmacists
when they need to review a patient’s history.

 

PSA Victoria President Benjamin Marchant, who is also a member of the SafeScript Advisory
Group, said PSA played a central role in advocating for the system.

 

“SafeScript is Victoria’s first mandatory clinical decision support system to combat pharmaceutical
misuse,” Mr Marchant said.

 

“We are grateful for the government’s initiative to support pharmacists and prescribers to improve
quality of care and ultimately reduce overdose deaths related to opioids.”

 

SafeScript will monitor all Schedule 8 medicines and Schedule 4 benzodiazepines, z-drugs and
quetiapine.

 

After the launch of SafeScript at Ballarat Base Hospital yesterday by the Victorian Health Minister
Jill Hennessy, SafeScript starts in Western Victoria Primary Health Network today and will be
implemented across Victoria by early next year.

-ENDS-

 

Media contact:

Jarryd Luke

Senior Communications Officer

 

World Pharmacists Day celebrates medicines expertise

This year’s World Pharmacists Day on Tuesday 25 September highlights the many ways pharmacists improve public health in addition to dispensing medicines.

 

An initiative of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), World Pharmacists Day explores the theme of “Pharmacists: Your medicines experts and so much more.”

 

FIP President Dr Carmen Peña said the day celebrates “the extensive expertise that pharmacists have and put to use every day to ensure better patient health. This expertise is applied through science and research, through educating the next generation, and through transforming patient needs into services.”

 

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said Australia is missing out on the opportunity for pharmacists to do more with medicines by confining them largely to the dispensing of medicines.

 

Pharmacists, especially those in community pharmacy, want to have a suite of services available to them to be able to assist the patient in medication management.

 

“PSA wants to see pharmacists applying all of the knowledge and skills from their years of training in contemporary and innovative ways,” Dr Jackson said. “That’s why PSA is working on the Pharmacists in 2023 Action Plan – to empower pharmacists to apply their unique medicines expertise for the greater benefit of their patients.”

 

In a statement to the House of Representatives on Thursday 20 September, Member for Dobell and pharmacist Emma McBride MP said, “I am pleased to support this day emphasising our role as trusted sources of knowledge and advice for not only patients but other healthcare professionals. With medicine now the No. 1 intervention in primary care, it’s appropriate that pharmacists play a role in
managing medication use over the long term.”

 

Ms McBride will visit an atrial fibrillation (AF) screening site at the Westfield Tuggerah main entrance from 10.30am to 12.30pm on World Pharmacists Day to celebrate the role of pharmacists.

 

PSA General Manager, Policy and Advocacy Belinda Wood said, “We know better health outcomes result from embedding pharmacists wherever medicines are used. But if we think in addition to dispensing medicines, we can unlock opportunities for better healthcare by equipping pharmacists to enhance community access to health services.”

 

As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA is hosting a range of events across Australia, inviting consumers to talk with their pharmacist about medication management, vaccinations, health services and screening.

 

In particular, given the recent publication by hearts4heart of new AF guidelines, PSA and hearts4heart have organised for more than 20 sites across NSW, Victoria and Queensland to provide blood pressure and AF screenings to start conversations with people about their medications and refer them to their GP where appropriate.

-ENDS-

 

Media contact:

Jarryd Luke

Senior Communications Officer

0487 922 176

Pharmacists welcome Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the peak national body for pharmacists in Australia, welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of their intention to launch a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

 

The Royal Commission is expected to investigate quality of care in private and government-run aged care facilities following the exposure of cases of neglect, elder abuse and other concerns.

 

“Inappropriate use of medication in aged care has been a concern for many years,” said PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson.

 

“We’ve seen reports that indicate over 50% of residents in some aged care facilities are receiving sedative type medications, have suboptimal pain control, and are taking medications that are no longer necessary. Crushing of medications puts residents at greater risk of side effects, including falls.”

 

The ABC’s Four Corners program has screened the first of a two-part investigation into the treatment of older Australians in aged care homes, including examples of inappropriate medicines use.

 

“These reports are particularly distressing to our members,” said Dr Jackson. “Pharmacists are a key group of health professionals who understand how much medicine safety and quality directly impacts the health and wellbeing of vulnerable residents in aged care facilities – both negatively and positively.

 

“Better co-ordination and greater investment in healthcare professionals like pharmacists needs to be built into the operation and design of aged care facilities.

 

“Research shows positive health outcomes are delivered in models where pharmacists and pharmacy services are embedded and integrated within aged care facilities. These pharmacists support doctors in making the right decisions about the use of medications, guide nurses in the correct administration of medications, and regularly review medications residents are taking.

 

“Unfortunately, what we see in practice is that all too often they are not there, and it is our aged care residents who pay the price,” said Dr Jackson.

 

-ENDS-

Media contact:

Jarryd Luke

Senior Communications Officer

0487 922 176

Changes to Self Care program

Changes to the Self Care program are coming soon. The Self Care program is designed for pharmacies to deliver improved health care to patients. It provides resources and training to educate pharmacy staff, add value to the patient’s experience, and aims to increase business growth with tailored health promotions and resources.

PSA summit to unite pharmacists and doctors for patient safety

August 17, 2018

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia will host an inter-professional collaboration summit to explore how doctors and pharmacists can work together more effectively to support patient care through the safe use of medicines.

 

Prompted by a recent Coroner’s report into the death of a Melbourne man following complications of methotrexate toxicity, the summit will bring together leaders from key pharmacy, medical and consumer organisations at Pharmacy House in Canberra on 21 August 2018.

 

In handing down her findings, Coroner Rosemary Carlin said the patient’s unnecessary death resulted from key failings of the pharmacist and prescribing doctor to work collaboratively to effectively resolve a prescribing error. In particular, the coroner noted “Doctors and pharmacists should trust and respect each other, whilst retaining their independence. In dismissing her concerns, it appears that Dr Lim did not afford the respect she deserved. In dispensing the methotrexate despite her concerns, it appears that afforded too much respect, or at least lost sight of her role as an independent safeguard against inappropriate prescribing.”

 

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said the Coroner’s report highlights the need for a more collaborative relationship between pharmacists and doctors that recognises their respective roles and responsibilities while also acknowledging their independence.

 

“The summit will seek to develop a set of principles to support respectful and collaborative practice between pharmacists and doctors,” Dr Jackson said.

 

“It is time to work together on key principles that underpin the collaborative relationship between pharmacists and doctors, particularly regarding the safe use of medicines, for the benefit of our patients.

 

“We have invited other professional bodies to join the summit so together, we can empower pharmacists and doctors to meet their duty of care in regards to patient safety.”

 

-ENDS-

Media contact: 
Jarryd Luke
Communications Officer
0487 922 176

Australians endorse pharmacist vaccinations

August 14, 2018

Almost two-in-three Australians believe pharmacists should be able to administer common vaccinations that are currently only administered by doctors, according to new research released by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

 

The nationwide poll by YouGov Galaxy found that 64 per cent of Australians support pharmacists administering common vaccines, with greater convenience cited as a benefit by 62 per cent of respondents.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) says that legislative changes at the state and territory levels would allow for vaccines against the likes of whooping cough and meningococcal disease, as well as routine travel vaccinations, to be administered by a pharmacist in the same manner as flu vaccination is now accessed without the need for a doctor’s visit or prescription.

 

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said, “Pharmacists are highly accessible and ideally placed to take on increased responsibility for vaccination.”

 

Analysis produced for the PSA reveals that since April this year, approximately a quarter of a million Australians have received flu vaccination directly from a pharmacy.

 

“That’s almost 100 flu vaccinations occurring every hour in pharmacies across the country. Clearly, this represents a better protected and subsequently healthier Australia and is evidence enough that enhanced access to vaccination results in strong uptake,” he added.

 

Dr Jackson said that the Tasmanian Government had recently acted to make the meningococcal vaccine available for administration directly from pharmacists and that “this model should now set the vaccination benchmark for other states and territories to follow.”

 

“Our new research confirms that Australians clearly understand that pharmacists have the skill and training to do more than they currently do. Common-sense should see legislative changes that allow pharmacists to administer a number of commonly used vaccines.”

 

The poll of 1,023 Australians also revealed that 60 per cent of Australians believe the cost of a pharmacist administering a vaccine should be covered by Medicare, with a further 24 per cent of the view that private health insurance should cover some of the cost.

 

The PSA is working with federal, state and territory governments and other health stakeholders to ensure the expertise of professional pharmacists is more fully utilised and that pharmacists are better equipped to enhance community access to vital health services.

 

-ENDS-

Media contact:
Jarryd Luke
Senior Communications Officer
0487 922 176

Pharmacy World Congress coming to Brisbane in 2021

September 1, 2018

PSA, on behalf of the Australian member organisations of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), is proud to announce Brisbane will host the FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2021.

 

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global body representing pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

 

As the peak national body for all pharmacists, PSA, in collaboration with the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) and the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) won a consortium bid to host the major international event at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

 

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said the FIP Congress 2021 will provide a platform to showcase global innovation, including models that support pharmacists practising to their full scope, and the health outcomes that these models have delivered in other countries.

 

“The FIP Congress 2021 is a landmark opportunity to continue to ensure roles, recognition and remuneration for pharmacists in Australia are optimised and comparable with other countries around the world.

 

“PSA is leading the profession by bringing Australian pharmacy practice to the world stage.”

 

PSA will draw on its experience delivering its flagship annual conference PSA18, which this year attracted more than 1,000 delegates and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

 

Combined, the host organisations represent over 20,000 members across Australia in community and hospital pharmacy, academia and the pharmaceutical sciences.

 

The Consortium’s bid is strongly supported by the two New Zealand FIP member organisations – the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) and the New Zealand Hospital Pharmacists Association (NHPA) – as well as the FIP Western Pacific Pharmaceutical Forum, which will help spread the message to the Asia Pacific region.

-ENDS-

Jarryd Luke
Senior Communications Officer
0487 922 176