Pharmacists encouraged to Wear it Purple and provide safe, inclusive care

30 August 2024

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to support Wear It Purple Day and stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ youth.

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Wear It Purple Day was founded in 2010 in response to LGBTQIA+ youth taking their own lives following bullying and harassment resulting from a lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity. The day strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

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Mental health and wellbeing outcomes of LGBTQIA+ people in Australia remain a concern with rates of diagnosed depression 6 times higher than the general population. Rates of suicide attempts are 5 times higher for LGBTQIA+ young people, while young transgender people are 15 times more likely to have a suicide attempt than the general population. These statistics bring sharply into focus the importance of providing safe and inclusive healthcare for rainbow young people.

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PSA is partnering with The University of Queensland (UQ) to foster inclusive and empowered primary care workforces through the Promoting queer-inclusive professional identities for diversity in primary healthcare (PRIDE co-design) project.

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As a PRIDE project partner, PSA will offer education and resources to help pharmacists improve the care they provide LGBTQIA+ patients.

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PSA’s recently released vision for the profession, Pharmacists in 2030, articulates six actions to realise the vision. One key action is Equity, supporting pharmacists to meet the unique needs of vulnerable individuals and priority populations to address the disparity of health status through the provision of appropriate and responsive care.

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PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said there is still a long way to go to addressing health inequalities for LGBTQIA+ Australians.

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“Everyone has the right to safe, affirming health care,” Associate Professor Sim said.

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“PSA is committed to empower all pharmacists, through education and professional development, to provide culturally appropriate care to all population groups.

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“As some of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists have a duty of care to patients to ensure that healthcare is provided in a way that is inclusive and appropriate for all people.

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“We have an enormous opportunity to improve these confronting statistics and ensure that young people feel safe and supported seeking mental and physical health support.

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“PSA wants to ensure all pharmacists have the confidence and knowledge to deliver safe and equitable health care.

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“I challenge pharmacists to embrace the resources and training available through the PRIDE project to ensure they deliver inclusive and affirming models of care for LGBTQIA+ people in our communities.’

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PRIDE Project leader and Chief Investigator Dr Megan Ross highlighted the importance of creating a culture of safe and supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ people.

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“Building the capacity of the primary health workforce to deliver safe and affirming care addresses a current gap in primary care.

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“Over half of LGBTQIA+ Australians have reported discrimination due to their sexual orientation, and almost 80% of people who are trans or gender diverse have experienced discrimination due to their gender identity. Stigma and discrimination in the health care context can lead to delaying or avoiding healthcare entirely which contributes to greater health disparities experienced by LGBTQIA+ communities.

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“A multi-disciplinary affirming provider network will facilitate access to continuous, trustable safe and affirming care across the primary care landscape for LGBTQIA+ consumers, and we are proud to partner with PSA on the PRIDE project initiative.”

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Pharmacists in 2030 is available to pharmacists and the public at www.psa.org.au/pharmacists_in_2030

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PSA Calls for the removal of vaccination red tape

20 August 2024 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for the removal of vaccination red tape and for national harmonisation of pharmacist vaccination scope to ensure all Australians have equitable access to vaccination services.

 

The Australian Immunisation Handbook serves as the national vaccination formulary. Pharmacists, along with all Australian healthcare professionals who are immunisers, should adopt this as the national standard for defining vaccine formularies, instead of relying on complex regulatory instruments unique to each state and territory.

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Regardless of location, everyone should have access to the same vaccine formulary at their community pharmacy.  Vaccines should be as accessible as possible to those who need them most, at a time and place of their choosing.

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Reducing barriers to vaccination uptake should be a priority to improve equity and access to the health care system. Australians are increasingly turning to pharmacists for vaccinations. Empowering pharmacists to provide this essential service, in a consistent manner across jurisdictions, will be key to reaching the immunisation target in Australia.

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The approval of a vaccine to protect Australians against the highly infectious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a valuable addition to the vaccines available in community pharmacies. Residents of South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory would welcome the availability of the RSV vaccine at their local pharmacies, as is the case in other all jurisdictions across the country.

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Pharmacists in 2030 is the PSA’s vision for the future of the pharmacy profession and outlines a road map demonstrating how pharmacists can reach their full potential over the next 6 years, ultimately improving quality use of medicines and medicines stewardship and Australians’ access to care in an equitable, consistent and sustainable manner.  Removing regulations that prevent pharmacists from administering all vaccines to all at risk Australians would be a crucial first step towards realising this vision.

 

Quotes attributed to PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim 

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“Pharmacists are underutilised in many states and territories, with regulatory barriers preventing them from practising to their full potential when providing vaccination services.”

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“Pharmacists have demonstrated competency in delivering vaccines safely and effectively. Leveraging the accessibility of pharmacists to administer a greater range of vaccines would significantly improve uptake and reduce hospitalisations from vaccine preventable diseases.”

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“Allowing pharmacists to deliver childhood vaccinations, including influenza vaccines, provides Australians with greater choice and equitable access to vaccines.”

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“Allowing pharmacists to practise to the top of their scope makes efficient use of health resources, benefitting the broader health system.”

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“With the Continuing Professional Development cycle for pharmacists ending on 30 September, I encourage all pharmacist immunisers to visit PSA Vaccination Education Hub to help you meet your professional requirements and maintain competence in vaccination services.”

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“PSA offers a variety of immunisation educational resources for pharmacists, including the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) module and the Vaccination Webinar Series.  The next webinar in this series focuses on promoting pharmacy vaccination services, particularly for adolescents who missed HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination due to COVID lockdowns.”

 

Pharmacists in 2030 is available to pharmacists and the public at www.psa.org.au/pharmacists_in_2030

Improved access to contraceptive services for women and girls in Queensland

9 August 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the commencement of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot, which will improve access to high-quality and integrated contraceptive services for Queensland women and girls.

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Queensland pharmacists participating in the Pilot can now enrol in PSA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Contraceptive Service – Queensland training program. Once completed, Queensland pharmacists can immediately begin offering the service to Queensland women.

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The commencement of the Pilot comes just days after PSA launched Pharmacists in 2030, which outlines a vision for pharmacists in delivering greater access to care for all health care consumers by increasing and leveraging the accessibility of pharmacists to address unmet health needs.

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PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim congratulated the Queensland government for recognising the expertise pharmacists to contribute to women’s health through enabling better access to hormonal contraception

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“Pharmacists are accessible, trusted health care professionals who are well placed to assist women to access their preferred hormonal contraception,” she said. “This pilot opens up one more option for women in Queensland to access when considering their contraceptive options.”

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“Women and girls around the country deserve improved access to care. Contraception access is not a luxury, but a basic health care need. We urge governments across the country to follow suit, enabling improved access to contraceptive services.”

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“PSA has been and will continue to work collaboratively with governments and stakeholders to ensure these services can be implemented professionally, effectively and safely.” she said.

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PSA’s CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris encouraged pharmacists to undertake training to deliver contraception prescribing services.

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“Pharmacists prescribing hormonal contraception will mean more accessible care for Queensland women, putting patient care first and ensuring safe and effective contraception options are available when and where they’re needed,” he said.

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“PSA has worked closely with Queensland Health to certify our training program which uses case-based learning powered by artificial intelligence – a world first in pharmacist education. The simulated clinical environment uses the most life-like patient simulations possible to hone pharmacist communication and clinical skills in providing more timely and safe access to hormonal contraception.”

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“I encourage all community pharmacists in Queensland pilot pharmacies to engage with this training now so that we can all collectively improve women’s access to hormonal contraception across the state,” he said

 

PSA’s recently launched Pharmacists in 2030 vision can be found here: https://www.psa.org.au/advocacy/working-for-our-profession/pharmacists_in_2030/

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PSA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Contraceptives Service – Queensland training program can be found here: https://my.psa.org.au/s/detail/a11GB00000Lgbdw

Western Australia expands the role of community pharmacists

9 August 2024

 

Western Australians will soon have greater access to timely and convenient healthcare services through community pharmacists, a move that is welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) as a step forward in recognition of the need to improve access to care.

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WA Minister for Health, Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA today announced the Cook Government’s commitment to a new expanded role for community pharmacists in the treatment of a range of common and mild conditions, including shingles, acne, dermatitis, pain, nausea and vomiting, and wound management.

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PSA sees an opportunity for pharmacists to better support patients with health services they currently have difficulty accessing; in Queensland, these services – and many others – are already routine pharmacist care.

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PSA will work closely with the Government to ensure the program is appropriately scoped and evaluated. The design, development and implementation of the program will unfold over the next two years, with full operation to be in place by 2027.

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PSA Western Australia President, Mr Kristian Ray MPS said the move leverages the state’s most accessible healthcare professionals to continue providing timely patient care.

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“We thank the Cook Government for its commitment and collaboration with the profession to extend the role of WA pharmacists, better utilising the skills and accessibility of pharmacists to improve access to healthcare across the state, especially in regional and remote communities,” Mr Ray said

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“We hope this expanded scope is just the next step in a bigger journey towards pharmacists practising to their full potential.

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“Western Australian pharmacists have the knowledge and skillset to do much more to support chronic disease management.

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“We encourage adoption of the approach taken in Queensland where pharmacists are already providing more support to patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and people with high cardiovascular risk.”

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“PSA looks forward to working with the Government in the development of the program, which ultimately benefit patients.”

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PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS is encouraging pharmacists to undertake training in anticipation of their expanding roles.

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“Throughout scope expansion across the country, whether it is assessment and prescribing for management of urinary tract infections, oral contraception or other acute and chronic condition management programs, PSA has been supporting pharmacists along the way,” Associate Professor Sim said.

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“Pharmacists should be supported so they are empowered to practice at top of scope.

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“PSA is committed to focusing on workforce preparation, including training, education, practice support and upskilling of pharmacists to undertake and deliver these services.

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“Patients across Australia deserve equitable access to healthcare.

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“PSA looks forward to working with the government and universities as part of a collaborative approach to workforce preparation.”

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Specific details of training programs will be provided soon.​

Tasmania becomes Australia’s 5th jurisdiction to authorise pharmacist-led RSV vaccination

9 August 2024

 

Pharmacist immunisers are able to authorise and administer RSV vaccines for pregnant women and people over 60 years of age following a change to the Tasmanian Pharmacist Immunisation Program Guidelines, in a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

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The move follows a similar change in the ACT in recent weeks.

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Tasmanian PSA President Mr Mark Kirschbaum urged at-risk Tasmanians to protect themselves against the debilitative condition;

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“RSV is a serious condition in those at risk, particularly older people and infants. ATAGI have recommended vaccination as a single dose for all people over 75 years of age and pregnant women to offer immunity to newborns. I urge those who are at risk to talk to their pharmacist or doctor regarding the benefits and costs of RSV vaccination,” he said.

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PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim urged other states to follow-suit, noting the complexity of regulations around who can authorise and administer vaccines is limiting community protection against vaccine-preventable diseases:

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“I urge all regulators in all states to remove unnecessary barriers to vaccination, including for RSV vaccination” she said.

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A/Prof Sim continued, “currently, pharmacist immunisers in Northern Territory and Western Australia can only administer RSV vaccines after a prescription has been issued. In South Australia, pharmacist immunisers cannot administer RSV vaccines, even when prescribed by a doctor. Meanwhile, in other states pharmacists have prescribed and administered thousands of doses of these life-saving vaccines. It just makes no sense, and it’s placing Australians at risk.”

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“The Australian Immunisation Handbook is Australia’s national vaccination formulary. We should be working towards using this as our standard to define all vaccinator’s vaccine formularies, rather than using complex regulatory instruments in each state and territory,” A/Prof Sim concluded.

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“National harmonisation of vaccination scope will ensure Australians receive equitable access to care.”

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PSA’s vaccination hub has been developed to help pharmacists navigate the complex regulatory instruments regarding vaccines which they can authorise and administer. The state-by-state comparison tables are available here: https://www.psa.org.au/state-vaccination-regulations/

PSA to drive environmental sustainability through appointment of CEO to new climate and health advisory group

8 August 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the appointment of its Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris to the to the Government’s Climate & Health Expert Advisory Group (CHEAG) by the Hon. Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.

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The appointment was announced just days after PSA launched Pharmacists in 2030, which outlined the need for pharmacists to be supported to incorporate environmental sustainability improvements in their workplaces, including energy efficiency, waste reduction and deprescribing.

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Adj A/Prof Steve Morris said that the establishment of the advisory group was an opportunity for the entire health sector to come together to limit the negative impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing of Australians.

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“Sustainability is important for overall wellbeing of individuals, the community and the world in which we live,’ he said.

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“The provision of healthcare makes a bigger impact on the climate than many of us realise. For example, healthcare contributes 7 per cent of Australia’s total carbon emissions. This is greater than the total carbon emissions from my home state of South Australia.”

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“With health and wellbeing of patients being primary concerns of pharmacists, we all have a professional obligation to limit the negative health impacts caused by climate change through direct action, leadership and patient support.”

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Adj A/Prof Morris thanked the Assistant Minister for her leadership on this issue.

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“I am delighted to be able to contribute to this important advisory group,” Adj A/Prof Morris said.

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“I look forward to working with Assistant Minister Kearney, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, other health sector leaders and consumers to reduce the environmental impacts of healthcare and, by doing so, improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.”

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PSA’s recently launched Pharmacists in 2030 vision can be found here: https://www.psa.org.au/advocacy/working-for-our-profession/pharmacists_in_2030/

PSA24 closing plenary, PSA25 announced

4 August 2024

PSA24 has come to a close this afternoon in Sydney, with a record number of pharmacists attending the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) national conference.

 

Addressing pharmacists at the closing plenary this afternoon, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said she is confident about the future of the profession.

 

“Over the last three days we have heard from Ministers and Shadow Ministers, influential department officials, and leading pharmacists across areas of practice and researchers from both Australia and abroad,” she said.

 

“We were proud to have the Minister for Health and Aged Care the Honourable Mark Butler MP officially launch Pharmacists in 2030 in a room full of engaged, passionate pharmacists, highlighting our growing roles in addressing the healthcare needs of the future.

 

“The overwhelming feeling at the closing of PSA24 is excitement for the future. I am lucky to have connected with many members across the weekend and strongly feel that as a profession we will continue meeting and exceeding the challenges before us.

 

“The months ahead will be critical to setting our profession up for the future and ensuring pharmacists have the tools to deliver for patients. PSA is fully committed to support pharmacists – whether it is workforce development or advocacy, members of the profession can be sure that PSA’s commitment will never fade. My message to the entire profession is that PSA is in your corner, supporting you every step of the way.”

 

Associate Professor Sim also announced the dates and venue for the 2025 conference.

 

“I am pleased to announce that PSA25 will again take place at the beautiful International Convention Centre Sydney, from the 1-3 August 2025.

 

“The PSA National Conference is always a highlight on the pharmacy calendar, so make sure you save the date and join us for an even bigger event in 2025.”​

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

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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.

PSA and PSS renewed MOU to continue delivering services to profession

4 August 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) have renewed the Memorandum of Understanding, announced during PSA’s National Conference PSA24 in Sydney.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS welcomed the renewed partnership, commending the PSS for their continued support of the profession.

 

“PSA is proud to continue our long-term support for the vital work of the Pharmacists’ Support Service to ensure that pharmacists have mental health resources available when they need them.

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“We are immensely proud of the impact that the entire PSS team have on our profession, lending a listening ear to any pharmacist, pharmacy student or intern who may need it. It is with this support that we can provide the best care to our own patients.”

 

PSS President Curtis Ruhnau MPS thanked PSA for their support.

 

“We value the support of PSA for our work. PSS is about pharmacists supporting pharmacists and this is reflected by PSA, which represents the breadth of the pharmacy profession, supporting PSS.

 

“This support extends beyond the commitment to an annual donation, and includes collaboration to ensure pharmacists are aware of PSS and to convey key messages about the importance of pharmacists focusing on their own wellbeing, in order to practice to the top of their scope and meet the needs of the Australian community.”

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

 

Pharmacists to help address loneliness epidemic with world-first training and education

5 August 2024

Marking Loneliness Awareness Week (5-11 August 2024), the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to partner with Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-isolation (PALS) to deliver world-first training for pharmacists to identify and address loneliness as a social and health priority.

 

Research has shown that loneliness has a significant impact on a person’s physical, cognitive and mental health, including a 26% increased risk of premature death – similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness has also been linked to a 32% increased risk of stroke, a 29% increased risk of coronary heart disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and an increased risk of depression.

 

Loneliness has significant economic repercussions, costing the Australian economy an estimated $2.7 billion annually, with the average cost of approximately $1,565 per person per year. Loneliness is associated with increased use of primary health services including contact with pharmacy services and GPs, and results in more emergency treatments and hospital visits. Tackling loneliness could also assist with reducing waiting time and improving access to health services.

 

The program, founded and created by Australian pharmacist and PALS founder Jenny Kirschner, is the first education program in the world targeted toward health professionals, giving them the skills and confidence to identify and work with patients most at risk of poor health outcomes as a result of loneliness.

 

The Pharmacist Training Program on Loneliness combines video testimonies of pharmacists working to improve social cohesion, interviews with global health and social connection leaders including the World Health Organisation, and comprehensive evidence-based education designed specifically for pharmacists.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said it’s clear something had to be done.

 

“As pharmacists we often see members of our communities struggling with loneliness. By empowering pharmacists with education and raising awareness, we can make an even bigger difference to the lives of Australians who are experiencing loneliness.

 

“Loneliness is not just a social problem. The impact on physical and mental health is clear. When you see it through a health lens, it makes sense that all health professionals have an obligation to learn and understand loneliness, and what we can do to help.

 

“Pharmacists are among the most accessible and trusted health care professionals in our communities, meaning there are more opportunities than ever for pharmacists to have an impact on social health as part of a true person-centred approach to healthcare.

 

“I sincerely thank Jenny Kirschner for her long-term commitment to advancing the role of pharmacists to address loneliness. I urge all pharmacists, no matter where or how you practise to take on this new opportunity to champion connectivity and social cohesion in our communities.”

 

PALS Founder Jenny Kirschner MPS commended the leadership of pharmacists addressing loneliness on the ground.

 

“Partnering with the PSA to launch the World’s First Pharmacist Training program on Loneliness is more than an endorsement of educational content, it is a watershed moment for the pharmacy profession in Australia and globally,” Ms Kirschner said.

 

“This demonstrates true leadership from the PSA, prioritising loneliness as public health priority and putting the pharmacy profession at the forefront of helping to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.

 

“Addressing loneliness is deeply personal for me and I have aspired to integrate the research on loneliness into the curriculum for pharmacists and pharmacy students to develop a workforce equipped to help address loneliness.

 

“This program feels like my most meaningful work to date. Yet, this training program is just the beginning… there is more work that needs to be done,” she concluded.

 

The Pharmacist Training Program on Loneliness is available now, free for all PSA members.

 

About Jenny and PALS

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Jenny Kirschner BPharm (Hons) MPS has 20+ years’ experience in the healthcare and pharmacy sectors including as a clinical and retail pharmacist. She has a deeply personal experience of loneliness and is a passionate clinical entrepreneur who is out to educate and inspire the entire pharmacy industry to address loneliness at patient, pharmacy and community level.

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Jenny is the founder of the PALS (Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation). PALS is first international pharmacy initiative developing a road map for the pharmacy sector to address loneliness. The longer-term goal is for pharmacists to have an in-depth understanding of the health effects associated with loneliness, and how to address them, and for this to become an intrinsic part of pharmacy practice across Australia and globally.

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Jenny’s work has been published in the Australian Journal of Pharmacy (AJP) and Australian Pharmacist (AP) on the topic of loneliness. In Australia, Jenny has presented on loneliness at peak national pharmacy education conferences (PSA conference), to the #1 global ranking (2023) pharmacy university (Monash University Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences) and at a Parliamentary House event championing the pivotal role that pharmacists can play in addressing loneliness.  Jenny is the creator of the World First Pharmacist Training program on Loneliness.

 

Media contact:   Leah Robinson   M: 0421 659 040    E: leah.robinson@psa.org.au

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PSA24: Pharmacy Student of the Year awarded to JCU student

3 August 2024

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) proudly congratulates Shylee-Jade Hadar-Pagliari, James Cook University for taking out the 2024 PSA Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) award.

 

The annual PSOTY awards recognise and celebrate outstanding pharmacy students by showcasing their counselling skills to the pharmacy profession and is a highlight of PSA’s annual flagship conference.

 

Congratulations also to Hayden Scott from the University of Canberra who took out the People’s Choice award.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS congratulated Shylee-Jade on her achievement and commended the talent of all finalists.

 

“Congratulations to Shylee-Jade for successfully taking out the Pharmacy Student of the Year award,” Associate Professor Sim said.

 

“This competition provides students the opportunity to demonstrate important skills such as gaining patient insights and patient understanding, active listening and skills that support positive patient outcomes.

 

“Each of the students who participated in the PSOTY competition has demonstrated impressive professionalism, skill, and dedication. On behalf of PSA, I wish them the best in what I’m sure will be successful careers as pharmacists.”

 

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