Record number of women elected to PSA Branch Committees

4 May 2023

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the members elected to PSA Branch Committees, to serve from 2023 to 2026.

 

In this election, PSA members have elected the highest number of female committee members in its history.

 

Thank you to all PSA members who nominated for positions. PSA and the pharmacy profession is stronger because of all nominees willingness to lead.

 

Congratulations to the members elected to State and Territory Branch Committees.

 

Incoming leaders will take office from 1 July 2023. New Branch Committee members will meet in the coming weeks to elect Branch Presidents and Board Directors.

 

 

ACT COLLENETTE, Olivia (re-elected) COOPER, Erin (elected) EVANS, Kayla (re-elected) KELLY, Andrew (re-elected) LEUNG, Jess (elected) MARTIN, Alicia (re-elected) NAUNTON, Mark (re-elected) SELLWOOD, Kara (re-elected) TURNER, Kirstin (elected)	NSW BENSON, Helen (re-elected) CARROLL, Peter (re-elected) CARTER, Karen (elected) COLLINS, Jack (elected) DIAMANDIS, Simone (elected) DIAMANTIS, Caroline (re-elected) FELKAI, Chelsea (re-elected) KELLY, Luke (elected) LOGAN, Nicholas (elected) MOLES, Rebekah (re-elected) PHAM, Lily (re-elected) ROSE, Lachlan (re-elected)
QLD BUCKLEY, James (re-elected) CARSON, Sue (re-elected) CONWAY, Emma (elected) DAVIES, Caitlin (elected) FREEMAN, Chris (re-elected) KNOWLES, Hannah (re-elected) MACDONALD, Shane (re-elected) ROBERTS, Tim (re-elected) TOTTERMAN, Bridget (re-elected) WRIGHT, Karla (re-elected)	SA/NT ANGLEY, Manya (re-elected) DIMITRIADIS, Vicky (elected) FORREST, Adam (elected) FRASER, Lauren (elected) HSIAO, Jess (elected) NILAND, Colleen (re-elected) ROGERS, Rebecca (re-elected) SOULSBY, Natalie (re-elected) SPEARE, Tobias (re-elected) BUI, Tien (elected)
TAS BREEN, Juanita (elected) DILWORTH, Nicole (elected) GROSS, Joanne (elected) HOYLE, Daniel (elected) JACKSON, Shane (re-elected) JAMROZIK, Kate (elected) KRUUP, Helen (elected) PEACHEY, David (re-elected) WILLIAMS, Mackenzie (re-elected) KIRSCHBAUM, Mark (elected)	VIC ABRAHAM, Atinuke (elected) APOSTOLOPOULOS, Maria (re-elected) CHEN, Esa (re-elected) CROSS, Amanda (elected) GILL, Taren (re-elected) HAWTHORNE, Deborah (elected) MARCHANT, Benjamin (re-elected) MEHTA, Bobby (elected) PAGE, Amy (re-elected) SAUNDERS, Kellie (re-elected) SHELLY, Brooke (elected) WANG, Kate (elected)
WA ALMASSI, Negar (elected) CASANOVA, Kerry-Anne (elected) CLARK, Craig (elected) NGUYEN, Phuong (elected) OGUNDIPE, Ayomide (re-elected) PISANO, Alyssa (elected) RAY, Kristian (re-elected) SHEEHAN, Lusi (re-elected) SIM, Fei (re-elected) WONG, Keegan (re-elected)

 

WA’s pharmacists honoured with Excellence Awards

27 April 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has recognised Western Australia’s top pharmacists as part of the 2023 PSA Excellence Awards tonight in Perth.

 

Awards were presented to the following pharmacists:

 

The WA Pharmacist of the Year was awarded to Laura Stewart MPS.

 

Laura’s vision is to ensure pharmacists are able to practise to their full scope and are recognised for their key role in healthcare. Working in Pilbara and Gascoyne regions of WA, known to have significant health workforce shortages, Laura has been able to thrive by expanding the team to now include 16 pharmacists, as well as 2 interns.

 

To help create developmental pathways, Laura has invested heavily Intern and Student accommodation. Free housing along with passionate mentoring, leadership and training has seen Laura create a thriving culture where the entire team mirrors her drive and service levels. The Pilbara region is now a pharmacy placement destination that is highly coveted.

 

Laura has formed strategic partnerships with numerous professional bodies including universities to help stimulate & drive student placement opportunities.  Laura also regularly engages with the community through various forums such as seminars, workshops or career vocation days.

 

The WA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year was awarded to Ayomide Ogundipe MPS.

 

Ayomide is a practicing pharmacist and academic, undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy at Curtin University investigating pharmacists’ adoption of technologies with a view to pharmacists’ advanced clinical services.

 

Through her involvement in sessional teaching at Curtin University, Ayomide aims to inspire students with her research-informed, practice-informed approach to learning. In turn, Ayomide is inspired by how they embrace health technologies. She believes that this helps make a difference in how her students graduate with technological literacy and enthusiasm for their emerging careers as future users and adopters of technology.

 

Ayomide looks to further utilise universities in implementing messaging and training for the next generation of pharmacists. She also serves on the PSA Standard Review Group for the review of the Professional Practice standards.

 

The WA Intern of the Year was awarded to Keiran Batavia MPS.

 

Keiran is an engaged and exemplary early career pharmacist and has demonstrated strong leadership initiative as an Intern pharmacist. Through Keiran’s internship at Pharmacy 777 Applecross, he engaged in various professional services. Whilst juggling his internship responsibilities, Keiran demonstrated strong engagement with the Branch committee and willingness to work collaboratively with fellow interns and early career pharmacists to re-engage student, intern and early career pharmacists in the Western Australian contingent of the early career pharmacist CSI. Keiran shows excellent leadership potential, a willingness to learn and be involved, and an eagerness to bring others along on the journey.

 

The WA Lifetime Achievement was awarded to Professor Kevin Batty FPS.

 

Kevin’s 40-year career in Pharmacy spans hospital pharmacy, academic teaching and leadership, and research.

 

His research interests in pharmacokinetics and the pharmaceutical science of antimicrobial drugs are supporting practice change, improving treatments, and positively impacting the health of some of the most vulnerable in our population. Areas include drug stability and compatibility for administration in neonates, study of penicillin pharmacokinetics in Indigenous and Ethiopian children and adults with rheumatic heart disease, and the pharmacokinetics of antimalarial treatments.

 

Kevin graduated from the School of Pharmacy at the WA Institute of Technology (now Curtin University) and embarked on a career in hospital pharmacy, aspiring to become a Chief Pharmacist. However, when the opportunity to study a master’s degree at the University of Manchester UK as the recipient of a Rotary Scholarship arose, a different pathway began to evolve. Shortly after returning from the UK Kevin was enticed into research. After 10 years as a hospital pharmacist and completing his PhD Kevin moved into academia and research at Curtin University in Perth.

 

In 2014 Kevin was appointed as Professor and Head, School of Pharmacy, and then Head, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences when the schools were merged in 2018.

 

During his time in academic leadership positions, he has overseen a number of initiatives for both the advancement of early career Pharmacy academics in the formative years of their research careers, and for course review and inclusions to ensure graduates are ready for the evolving practice environment.

 

Throughout his career Kevin has demonstrated a strong commitment to the profession, to his research collaborators, and to teaching and learning excellence.

 

PSA WA President Lusi Sheehan MPS presented the awards and congratulated each of the winners on their achievement.

 

“These pharmacists have truly demonstrated the full scope of Pharmacy practice in their respective faculties, have travelled beyond the regular roads of pharmacy and are outstanding in the heart of our profession,” Ms Sheehan said.

 

“They commit 100% to their roles, are passionate in the future of pharmacy and are leaders of our profession. We are proud to call them “one of ours”.

 

“Congratulations to all the award winners.”

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke

WA pharmacists to deliver free flu vaccines

21 April 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes today’s announcement that all Western Australians will be able to access a free influenza vaccine from their local pharmacist.

 

PSA WA President Lusi Sheehan congratulated the McGowan Government on being the first Australian state to fund influenza vaccines ahead of the 2023 flu season, and urged all Western Australians to get their flu vaccine before winter.

 

“For the month of May, Western Australians will be able to get their flu vaccine from their local pharmacist for free.

 

“In 2022, only 35.8 per cent of West Australians got their influenza vaccine, below the national average of 38.7 per cent.

 

“Pharmacists are able to vaccinate patients 5 years and over, meaning many families can come into their pharmacy together for their flu vaccines.

 

“With the flu season now in full swing, we need to do everything we can to protect Australian children, who can be influenza super-spreaders, by increasing access to vaccination and providing them and their families with optimal protection against this deadly disease.

 

“As pharmacists we have demonstrated the crucial role we continue to play in protecting the health of Australians.

 

“We are already seeing early spikes in influenza cases in Western Australia, beyond pre-pandemic levels, indicating that the upcoming influenza season will be significant.

 

“We must do better than this to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.

 

“Pharmacists are practicing in almost every community from Perth to Broome, supporting the health and wellbeing of our patients.

 

“Visit your local pharmacist now and get your flu vaccine,” Ms Sheehan concluded.

 

The WA Government’s media statement can be found here.

 

 

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

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health care statement advocates for improved equity of access

14 April 2023

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today launched its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health care position statement, recognising culturally safe care and equity of health care access as critical drivers to improving health outcomes.

 

The statement was drafted in consultation with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), reaffirming the importance of genuine partnerships and shared decision-making.

 

In collaboration, PSA and NACCHO have pioneered onsite pharmacists within their network, a program that has been successful and we will continue to work to make this service available to as many patients as possible.

 

PSA values its ongoing collaborative relationship with NACCHO and is committed to the principles of community control and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In co-design with NACCHO, PSA has delivered key initiatives including the IPAC trial and development of the Deadly Pharmacists Foundation Training Course to equip pharmacists with the skills needed to work within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said that the statement demonstrates pharmacists’ commitment to enhancing the life expectancy, health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

“The 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report highlighted that the target to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation, while trending in a positive direction, is not on track.

 

“This is something that needs to be urgently addressed not only by providing best practice care, but also increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in the pharmacy workforce.

 

“Equitable access to high-quality and timely health care throughout life is essential for improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

“All healthcare professionals have a responsibility to provide health care that is culturally responsive and safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

 

“On behalf of all pharmacists, PSA reaffirms our strong commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies to provide the best support for our patients.”

 

The statement also reaffirms PSA’s longstanding support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution and for a Makarrata Commission as a process for agreement-making and truth-telling.

 

“We wholeheartedly stand by our endorsement of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and continue to work closely with NACCHO and other Indigenous-led health organisations to equip our profession with the skills and tools to deliver appropriate care for all Australians.

 

“PSA is focussed on progressing work with pharmacists, government and the wider health sector to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health care statement can be read here.

Statement on retirement of Brendan Murphy AC

13 April 2023

 

ATTRIBUTABLE TO PSA NATIONAL PRESIDENT DR FEI SIM

 

 

 

I am saddened to hear of Professor Brendan Murphy’s decision to step down as Secretary of the Department of Health in July.

 

Professor Murphy has led our health care system through the most turbulent time in recent history.

 

During his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Health, he not only navigated a global pandemic, but also led reforms in aged care, primary care and healthcare workforce.

 

Under Professor Murphy’s leadership, the Federal Government made the largest investment in pharmacy outside of the Community Pharmacy Agreement, announcing $345.7 million to embed pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities to improve medicine safety for our oldest Australians.

 

On behalf of pharmacists across Australia, I thank Professor Murphy for his leadership and his support of our profession.

 

I wish him well in his retirement, and look forward to working closely with the incoming Secretary to continue healthcare reforms and create a worldclass health system that works for all Australians.

 

Protect yourself against influenza, warn pharmacists

12 April 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling on New South Wales residents to head to their local pharmacy for their influenza vaccine ahead of what is expected to be a significant season for the virus. Further, PSA is renewing its calls on the New South Wales Government to fund accessible vaccinations through pharmacists for our most vulnerable groups.

 

Pharmacists are established advocates of vaccination and play a vital role in promoting and supporting vaccination uptake, having administered nearly 10 million COVID-19 vaccines over the past three years.

 

PSA NSW Immediate Past President and pharmacist immuniser Professor Peter Carroll urged all New South Wales residents to get their influenza vaccine.

 

“Community pharmacists, through a well-established network of community pharmacies with extended operating hours, provide an accessible and convenient location to get vaccinated, and all patients 5 years old and over can get their influenza vaccine from their local pharmacist.”

 

“As pharmacists we especially encourage those eligible for the National Immunnisation Program to get their influenza vaccine as soon as possible to prevent the higher risk of severe illness from the influenza virus.”

 

Pharmacists can access NIP vaccines for eligible patients, including people over 65 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women and those with existing health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.

 

While eligible patients can currently access NIP influenza vaccines from community pharmacists at no cost, pharmacist vaccinators are not funded to administer these NIP vaccines.

 

This means that influenza vaccination is not free for vulnerable patients when administered in a community pharmacy, as patients may be charged a service fee to pay pharmacists for assessing patient suitability and administering the vaccine.

 

Professor Carroll echoed PSA’s urgent calls for the NSW Government to fund pharmacist-administered NIP influenza vaccines.

 

“This is about ensuring influenza vaccinations are accessible to those who need them the most,” Professor Carroll said.

 

“Funding pharmacist administration of NIP influenza vaccines will give NSW residents greater access, especially those in areas experiencing GP shortages and long wait times for GP appointments.

 

“PSA has called on the NSW Government for some time to fund pharmacists to support vaccine uptake, and now the new Minns Government has the chance to demonstrate their commitment to a healthy population,” Professor Carroll concluded.

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0410 505 315     E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Pharmacists join Assistant Minister’s Women’s Health Advisory Council

12 April 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today proudly congratulated Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon Ged Kearney on the establishment of the Women’s Health Advisory Council, and her ongoing support for accessible women’s health.

 

The Council provides a mechanism for key women’s health organisations, as well as a range of professional, consumer and advocacy groups whose input will prove invaluable to monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.

 

National President Dr Fei Sim will be representing Australian pharmacists on the national Women’s Health Advisory Council.

 

In writing to PSA, Assistant Minister Kearney recognised that pharmacist voices were key to achieving a whole of system focus on women’s health.

 

“The Albanese Government has a strong agenda when it comes to women’s health and I will be working with leaders in the field to look at differences between the sexes in the health system so that we can work to improve the health and wellbeing of Australian women,” the letter said.

 

Joining the Council in Melbourne last week, Dr Sim reaffirmed PSA’s commitment to supporting timely and equitable access to care.

 

“I am incredibly proud to represent the voices of pharmacists on the Women’s Health Advisory Council,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Utilising the skills and expertise of pharmacists is vital to progressing the Council’s mission to improve research, service choice, access, empowerment, and safety for Australian women.

 

“There are significant challenges that the health sector needs to work together to solve, so that we can ensure the best health outcomes for our patients.

 

“I am excited and grateful for pharmacists to be able to contribute to supporting the health and wellbeing of Australian women.”

 

Read the Women’s Health Advisory Council’s most recent communique here.

Steve Morris to lead PSA as CEO

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris as incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

 

Adj A/Prof Morris is a registered pharmacist with more than two decades experience in senior health executive roles, including as the CEO of NPS MedicineWise and most recently Arthritis South Australia. He has also served in executive director roles within SA Health including as Chief Pharmacist and inaugural executive director of SA Pharmacy.

 

Adj A/Prof Morris holds an adjunct Associate Professor position within the Pharmacy Department, University of South Australia, and brings experience leading not-for-profit organisations and understands first hand the challenges facing Australian pharmacists.

 

“We are excited to have someone of Steve’s experience join PSA to lead pharmacists through an exciting time for the profession,” said PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS.

 

“Steve has had a very impressive career in the health sector for more than two decades in Australia and internationally, and brings a great wealth of unique experience to PSA as both a pharmacist and an effective executive leader.

 

“Steve’s demonstrated experience leading organisations with the mission to improve medicine safety is a natural synergy with PSA’s goal to lead accessible, evidence-based healthcare through pharmacy practice.

 

“Both Steve and PSA have a long history of representing and supporting Australian pharmacists.

 

“We share the common passion to ensure that pharmacists, as medicine safety experts, are empowered, recognised and remunerated for contemporary roles commensurate with pharmacists’ level of qualification and expertise.

 

“The PSA Board is excited to work with Steve to strengthen our support for all pharmacists in Australia, through practice support and quality training and education, and welcome him to the PSA team,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

Adj A/Prof Morris shared this excitement, welcoming the opportunity to serve the profession as PSA’s next CEO.

 

“There has never been a more exciting time to be a pharmacist,” Adj A/Prof Morris said.

 

“I have spent virtually my entire career in the health sector, advocating to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

 

‘I am passionate about pharmacy and am delighted with the opportunity to lead the peak body for Australian pharmacists.

 

“It’s both humbling and an honour to be able to serve my pharmacy profession and the Australian community in this way.”

 

Adj A/Prof Morris will commence in the role from Monday, 19 June 2023.

 

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

Electing the future leadership of PSA matters

4 April 2023

 

Voting is now open for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Branch Committee elections. The high number of nominations received from PSA members has meant that all Branch Committees will go to election in 2023, with all eligible voters having received voting instructions today.

 

PSA Chief Executive Officer Mark Kinsela encouraged all PSA members to vote for the future leadership of PSA.

 

“Branch Committees serve an important purpose for the PSA, from appointing the PSA Board, providing input and advice on local policy issues affecting pharmacists, and fighting for every pharmacist across your state or territory,” Mr Kinsela said.

 

“Electing members to serve on Branch Committees gives members the opportunity to have their voices heard, and to affect the future of the entire profession.

 

“I encourage all PSA members to engage with the election process – reach out to your branch committee candidates and make sure your vote counts.”

 

Australia’s leading voting and election provider CorpVote has been appointed to manage the election process.

 

Voting is open from midday today (4 April 2022), and will close at 11.59pm AEST on Monday 1 May 2023.

 

Successfully elected Branch Committee members will be announced on Wednesday 3 May 2023, and will serve a three-year term from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026.

 

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0410 505 315     E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

 

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 calls for removal of barriers to pharmacist administered vaccinations in Queensland

29 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has called on the Queensland Government to allow pharmacists to provider a wider range of vaccination services to Queenslanders in more health settings.

 

PSA Queensland President, Shane MacDonald and State Manager, Nicole Floyd  havemet with the Hon Yvette D’Ath MP, Minister for Health and Ambulances Services to advocate for the removal of the regulatory barriers preventing pharmacists  providing more vaccinations services to Queenslanders.

 

“Pharmacists have been administering vaccines in Queensland since 2014.  We are an important part of the immunising workforce.,” Mr MacDonald said.

 

“Our vaccination authorisation in Queensland  has fallen behind other states and territories, which impacts the accessibility of preventative healthcare for Queenslanders.

 

“The Queensland Government needs to urgently improve the legislative authority, allowing pharmacists to administer more vaccines to more patients.

 

“Although new vaccines are included in the North Queensland Scope of Practice Pilot, PSA believes that pharmacists have already proven themselves as quality and safe vaccinators and all of Queensland deserves immediate access to these vaccines.

 

“It makes no sense that a patient in QLD cannot access a vaccine for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) from their local pharmacist, but a patient in ACT, NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia can.  The same can be said for Herpes Zoster and Hepatitis B vaccines.

 

“Frankly the differences in authorities across jurisdictions is confusing for patients and confusing for the workforce (especially locums).   If all vaccines were authorised in QLD, pharmacists could support catch-up strategies and reduce missed opportunities for vaccinations due to their unique accessibility. This is particularly important post COVID-19 due to the disruption in access to health services during the pandemic.

 

PSA has also called on the Queensland Government to allow community pharmacists to administer vaccines in outreach programs (such as schools, aged care, and workplaces), as well as pharmacists working in general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and aged care. The current authorisation for these settings is only temporary and expires on the 29^{th of} April 2023.

 

“The location where the vaccine is administered does not alter the competency and skill of the pharmacist.  We need qualified pharmacists to be able to administer vaccines wherever there is a patient need,” Mr MacDonald concluded.