PSA launches training for extended supply of oral contraceptive

7 September 2023

This Women’s Health Week the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched the NSW – Contraception Essentials training as onboarding begins for the next stage of the New South Wales Pharmacy Trial.

The statewide trial, run by the University of Newcastle, authorises pharmacists participating in the trial to continue a prescription for the resupply of a certain oral contraceptives for eligible women aged from 18 to 35 years.

Pharmacists must meet specific requirements to be eligible for participation, and completing the appropriate training is mandatory.

PSA New South Wales President Luke Kelly FPS urged pharmacists to complete their training with PSA ahead of the trial’s start date.

“Improving safe access to contraception is essential to improving health care for all Australians,” Mr Kelly said.

“PSA is proud to be leading the way in pharmacist education and supporting the development of pharmacy scope of practice.

“PSA has developed a comprehensive training course tailored to the NSW oral contraceptive trial, arming pharmacists with the latest clinical information and giving them the skills and knowledge for the continuation of appropriate contraception.

“This is about making sure that Australians can access contraception when and where they need it,” Mr Kelly concluded.

NSW Pharmacists can enrol in the NSW – Contraception Essentials training program here.

For more information on the NSW Pharmacy Trial, visit NSW Health.

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

Updated treatment guidelines for salbutamol and terbutaline

7 September 2023

Marking National Asthma Awareness Week (1-7 September), the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched updated treatment guidelines for pharmacists supplying salbutamol and terbutaline inhalers to patients suffering from asthma.

The updated treatment guidelines reflect the new Professional Practice Standards and include updated information about over reliance on short-acting beta₂-agonists (SABA).

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS says pharmacists have an increasingly important role to play in supporting patients to move away from relievers and toward preventers.

“Around 2.7 million or 11 per cent of Australians suffer from asthma, with PBS data indicating a growing reliance on relievers as treatment,” Dr Sim said.

“Over reliance on SABA relievers can increase the risk of severe asthma flare-ups and reduce the effectiveness of emergency treatments.

“The updated treatment guidelines support pharmacists to identify when it is appropriate to supply reliever inhalers to patients, and when their asthma may not be appropriately controlled.

“The guidelines also reinforce the importance of checking asthma symptom control, adherence, and inhaler technique at every opportunity.

“As the most accessible healthcare practitioners, community pharmacists are well placed to play a greater role in patient education and awareness of asthma-related harms, identify opportunity for clinical intervention and improve the safe and effective use of inhalers. When undertaking complex medication reviews, credentialled pharmacists are also best placed to make recommendations to optimise the use of treatments and management of asthma.

“We all have a role to play to encourage patients requesting SABA relievers to visit their medical practitioner to review their condition and make sure that they are receiving appropriate long-term care.”

PSA is urging all pharmacists to familiarise themselves with the updated guidelines, available at Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook | Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (psa.org.au)

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

Overdose report shows more needs to be done

28 August 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for governments, health workers and support organisations to work together to do more to tackle the ongoing challenge of deaths caused by intentional and unintentional drug overdose. 

The Penington Institute’s Annual Overdose Report, released today, found there were 2,231 unintentional drug-induced deaths in Australia in 2021. Opioids and benzodiazepines were among the most common drugs involved in accidental overdose deaths.  

The report showed more than two-thirds of all unintentional drug-induced deaths involved two or more drug types (72.5%), with presence of benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, lorazepam and alprazolam) increasingly implicated in unintentional drug-induced deaths.  Anti-depressants (38%), stimulants (35%), and alcohol (25%) were also observed in unintentional deaths with two or more drug types.  

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said the report was a sobering reminder of the work still to be done to prevent avoidable harm from drug, including prescription medicines.  

“More Australians are using more medicines than ever before, and prescribing of multiple medicines to manage health conditions is increasingly common,” Dr Sim said. “However, some drug-drug combinations dramatically increase risk of unintentional drug-related death or hospitalisation, as this data tragically shows. 

“Real Time Prescription Monitoring is now available and must be used by health professionals to have non-judgemental conversations with people about the potential risks associated with medicines – and particularly when multiple medicines are being used at the same time. RTPM is making an impact but is not the whole answer. More solutions are needed. 

“As health professionals, we need to expand the way we assess risk. We need to recognise that medicine sharing happens and should form a routine part of all patient conversations about risk.  

“We need to offer Take Home Naloxone routinely and repeatedly to any person at-risk of experiencing or witnessing opioid overdose, and to people taking other medicines in combination with prescribed or illicit opioids.” 

Dr Sim called for more support for our health workforce to have conversations with potentially at-risk individuals in a meaningful, non-judgemental and supportive way, including by increasing access to training, guidelines, peer support and fostering collaboration of health teams. 

“Pharmacists work with at-risk individuals every day, but need better funding and support to be able to make a meaningful impact in reducing death and injury which drug overdose can cause. This includes building workforce capacity to be more active in deprescribing roles, particularly in primary care,” she said. 

“Pharmacists are the custodians of safe use of medicines, we are the key to reducing medicine-related harm. Pharmacists should be empowered and supported to do more to prevent medicine-related harm.   

“Every unintentional medicine-related harm is a failure of our health system. There is clearly more work to be done. I commend the Pennington Institute for producing this annual report, and for its impact over the previous eight years.” 

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

Renewed partnership to enhance support for pharmacy students

24 August 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) have reaffirmed their longstanding partnership to enhance support for pharmacy students at 18 universities across Australia.

The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ensures that students are supported throughout their studies and professional development.

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS recognises the importance of supporting pharmacy students as the future of the profession.

“PSA has a long and proud history of supporting pharmacy students, who make up a vital part of our profession and PSA’s membership,” Dr Sim said.

“Our role is to ensure that our profession has a vibrant and strong future, and that our members have rewarding and exciting career pathways.

“Through our partnership with NAPSA, we are giving pharmacy students around Australia the opportunity to engage with the broader profession, having their voices heard on the issues that affect them and their futures.

“As the peak body representing pharmacists in all practice settings, we are supporting future pharmacists to help shape their profession.

“We are proud to continue to support the vital role of NAPSA and pharmacy students,” Dr Sim concluded.

NAPSA President Bano Serhan said the renewed agreement “will continue to provide students with the best opportunities to engage in a professional environment alongside their education.

“NAPSA’s members are best served by our close relationships with industry organisations, and with the keen interest of the new Board in policy and advocacy, I am looking forward to the year ahead working closely with the PSA.

“Pharmacy students know they have NAPSA and PSA in their corner, and this renewed agreement will continue that tradition.

“Supporting future pharmacists will cement our industry as the leading primary healthcare service in Australia.”

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

Tribute to FIP President, the late Dominique Jordan

20 August 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is today paying tribute to International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) President Mr Dominique Jordan, who sadly passed away overnight.

Dominique shared news of his cancer diagnosis in July 2022 and had been undergoing treatment since.

A Swiss community pharmacist, Dominique became a member of FIP 20 years ago. In his home country, his actions to advance pharmacy included roles as president and CEO, concurrently, of pharmaSuisse, the Swiss association of pharmacists.

Dominique was elected president of FIP in 2018. Before that, he served FIP and global pharmacy as chair of the Board of Pharmaceutical Practice (2014-2018).

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS paid tribute to Mr Jordan.

“Despite his ongoing battle with cancer, Dominique always captured the tenacity and positivity in life,” Dr Sim said.

“Dominique has worked tirelessly and given much of his life to professional pharmacy both in Australia and internationally and leaves a huge legacy to the profession. He will be greatly missed.

“On behalf of Australian pharmacists, PSA offers our deepest condolences to Mr Jordan’s friends, family, and colleagues.”

As per FIP Statutes (article 16.13), president-elect Paul Sinclair AM MPS will begin his term effective immediately.

ENDS

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