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.

 

Tasmanians aged 5+ to receive influenza vaccinations from pharmacists

22 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Rockliff Government’s move to allow pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to all Tasmanians aged five years and over. The move brings regulations on pharmacist-administered influenza vaccines in line with pharmacist-administered vaccines for COVID-19.

 

PSA Tasmania President David Peachey MPS applauded the Tasmanian Government for the common sense change.

 

“Pharmacists are well placed to support the uptake of influenza vaccines in young Tasmanians,” Mr Peachey said.

 

“Pharmacists that are specifically trained to vaccinate children were able to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to patients aged five years and older, it only makes sense that we are also able to deliver influenza vaccines too.

 

“Almost all Tasmanians can now go into their local pharmacy and receive their influenza vaccine, making it easier for families to get their yearly immunisation and protect their health this winter.

 

“PSA has strongly advocated for pharmacist-immunisers to be able to deliver more vaccines to patients of all ages. This is a great first step for pharmacists to be able to do more to support the health of our communities, but there is more work to be done.

 

“In our submission to the 2023-24 Budget Consultation, PSA called for all National Immunisation Program vaccines to be accessible via pharmacists.

 

“Not only would this boost vaccination rates and reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable disease, but it would also increase vaccine access and uptake, reducing vaccine-preventable disease burden.

 

“We look forward to working with Premier Rockliff and his Government to ensure that all Tasmanians have equitable access to vaccines,” Mr Peachey concluded.

 

 

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

Statement on National Close the Gap Day

Today is National Close the Gap Day, celebrated across Australia each year on the third Thursday in March.

 

National Close the Gap Day is a national day of action to pledge support for achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality. It is also a day to celebrate the resilience, innovation and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

 

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

 

In 2022, the Commonwealth Closing the Gap Annual Report outlined that there is more to be done towards achieving parity in a range of indicators. With health targets, the gap in life expectancy while trending in a positive direction is not on track.

 

A key recommendation arising from PSA’s Medicine Safety: Rural and Remote Care report was to embed pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to deliver targeted and culturally safe care, improve medicine adherence and to address polypharmacy and other quality use of medicine issues. This aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform Two, which focuses on building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector.

 

While ad-hoc funding provides some support for pharmacists to provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, there is a lack of discrete funding to support the integration of pharmacists within the primary care team of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

 

Despite this, and in co-design with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), PSA has released the Deadly Pharmacists Foundation Training Course. The course is designed to equip all pharmacists with the skills to deliver culturally sensitive care to First Nations people.

 

So far more than 770 pharmacists have enrolled to undertake the course, indicating a strong desire across the profession to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Pharmacists who have already enrolled in the course, but not yet completed it, are encouraged to do so. For those who haven’t yet enrolled, consider doing so.

 

In 2022 PSA released its Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management. This guideline marks a refreshed focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being for the pharmacy sector. It offers all pharmacists an opportunity to develop professionally, expand their organisation or business’s impact, build relationships and grow personally. It also provides broader guidance for how enhancing medicines management can improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.