fbpx

Brisbane to host FIP World Congress 2023

22 September 2022

 

 

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today confirmed that the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) 2023 World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will take place in Brisbane from 24-28 September 2023.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim, who is attending the 2022 World Congress in Seville, said that she was proud to be bringing the international event down under.

 

“This will be an opportunity for Australian pharmacists to connect with international pharmacy leaders like never before, right here on our own shores,” Dr Sim said.

 

“The FIP World Congress is well known for being the premier global conference for the pharmacy profession, featuring internationally acclaimed speakers and exciting social events for pharmacists in a variety of practice settings.

 

“We are very proud to be working closely with FIP to bring the World Congress to Brisbane, and to showcase the hard work and dedication of Australian pharmacists to the world.”

 

PSA also congratulates Paul Sinclair AM MPS, who was elected as the next FIP President and will serve from 2023-2027.

 

“To be able to host the World Congress here in Australia, under the leadership of the first ever Australian President is a momentous occasion that we are excited to share with pharmacists from around the country.

 

“We are excited to work with Paul and the FIP team to strengthen our international engagement and make a global impact.”

 

 

Mr Sinclair said: “I am honoured to have been elected as the next president of FIP and to be the first Australian to hold this post.”

 

“I look forward to working with all our Member Organisations to deliver the FIP mission and to promote Pharmacy in all its forms worldwide. FIP Congress in Brisbane next September will be a great opportunity to showcase Australian pharmacy to the world.”

 

FIP President Dominique Jordan also expressed his excitement about FIP heading to Australia for the first time in 20 years.

 

“FIP, the home of the global pharmacy family, is delighted to be going to Brisbane next year under the banner ‘Pharmacy building a sustainable future for health care’,” Mr Jordan said.

 

“Sustainability — for people and our planet — is a concept ingrained in global development. Development must be sustainable to be successful. Universal health coverage must be sustainable. We are very pleased to be holding our next annual congress in Australia after a gap of 20 years; FIP’s last World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences being held in Sydney in 2003.

 

The entire FIP team is looking forward to working with our members the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, and the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association to develop a vibrant event that will gather expertise and experiences from a vast international network for the benefit of all, as One FIP. Together, we will agree principles, long-term goals and short-terms actions to maximise the contribution of pharmacy.”

 

 

 

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

Flood-affected pharmacists are begging for support

16 September 2022

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today joined the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and other health sector leaders to call for immediate funding and support for healthcare providers in flood affected areas of northern New South Wales.

 

Members of the Natural Disaster and Emergency General Practice and Primary Health Partnership Group (the NDE Group) are in Lismore today, including PSA NSW President Chelsea Felkai.

 

Ms Felkai says that pharmacists in the region had shown their passion and dedication during these disasters, putting the health and wellbeing of their communities first.

 

“We’ve seen pharmacists on the back of jetskis trying to get medicines to people who need them, that’s how dedicated they are.

 

“Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, meaning we need plans in place to ensure that quality health care is accessible after a disaster. The NSW Rural Doctors Network’s Healthcare Flood Recovery Grant Proposal would allow pharmacists to get back to doing what they do best – providing expert health advice to the community.

 

“Many of these pharmacists have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of stock, and some have lost their pharmacies all together. We cannot support the health of our communities if the government doesn’t support us.

 

“PSA is proud to stand with leaders from across the healthcare sector to call for greater funding and support to re-establish quality, accessible health care in flood-affected regions.”

 

Ms Felkai added that mechanisms like permanent, one-month emergency supply arrangements also need to be put in place to allow patients to easily access their essential medicines in the event of a disaster.

 

Current temporary emergency supply arrangements require the medicine to have been previously prescribed, as well as evidence that the patient is in immediate need of the medicines for continued treatment. These arrangements were introduced during the 2019 bushfires to ensure continued access to medicines, but the NSW Authority expires on 30 September 2022.

 

“Permanent one-month supply arrangements would allow patients to continue taking their ongoing medicines during and after a disaster, where their scripts and documents may have been destroyed and prescriber appointments aren’t available.

 

“The Commonwealth continued dispensing arrangements are not fit for emergency purpose.  Many of the medicines where there is an absolute imperative to continue therapy have been left off this arrangement – things like anticoagulants, antidepressants, epilepsy medicines. In a disaster situation it is the patients on these sorts of medicines who will suffer.

 

“Emergency supply is a last resort but giving pharmacists the ability to continue providing medicines in these situations is vital to public health, especially during disasters.”

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim reiterated her support for the Lismore community and extends sincere gratitude to the pharmacists who continued providing services to their communities during the disaster.

 

PSA was proud to provide affected pharmacists with copies of the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) to support their roles in the weeks following.

 

“We were proud to be able to personally offer our support to every pharmacist in the region. Times like this reminds us all once again the indispensable role pharmacists play in the community as primary healthcare providers to ensure the local community has continued access to medicines and health care.

 

“We cannot wait for natural disasters to happen before we put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities. Making continued dispensing arrangements permanent for all medicines, for example, would allow pharmacists to take a proactive role in the post-disaster health of their communities.”

 

 

 

 

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.

 

2022 World Patient Safety Day – Pharmacists key to reducing medicine harm

16 September 2022

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is tomorrow celebrating the World Health Organisation’s World Patient Safety Day, championing medicine safety on a global scale. The theme for this year’s World Patient Safety Day is Medication Without Harm.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said that World Patient Safety Day is a reminder for patients and pharmacists.

 

“Unsafe medicine practices and errors with medicine are the leading cause of avoidable harm across the world,” Dr Sim said.

 

PSA’s first medicine safety report, Medicine Safety: Take Care estimated that medicine-related problems cause 250,000 hospital admissions each year, with an annual cost of approximately $1.4 billion, and at least half of these hospital admissions being preventable.

 

“Pharmacists are the custodians of medicine safety and play a significant role in making sure that our patients are safe when taking medicines. A large part of our role as pharmacists is to talk with our patients to promote the highest standards of medicine safety to ultimately reduce the risks that lead to medicine errors and medicine-related harm.

 

“This is why pharmacists need to be embedded everywhere that medicines are used.”

 

“Medicine safety is the responsibility not only of the health care provider, but also of the patient themselves.

 

“On this World Patient Safety Day, we urge all Australians to check their medicine cabinet, check expiry dates, and throw away any expired medication. It is vital that all patients know their medications and always take them as instructed to avoid medicine harm. If you are unsure about anything related to your medicines, go and speak to your local pharmacist.

 

“While World Patient Safety Day is a great reminder of our goal to reduce medicine-related harm, we must practise safe medicine practises every day,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

Medicine Safety Facts

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care report found that:

  • 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year because of medication error, misuse and misadventure.
  • Another 400,000 presentations to emergency departments are likely to be due to medication-related problems.
  • This costs Australia approximately $1.4 billion in hospital admissions alone.
  • 50% of this harm is preventable.
  • Over 90% of patients have at least one medication-related problem post-discharge from hospital.
  • One in five people are suffering an adverse medication reaction at the time they receive a Home Medicines Review.
  • 2 million Australians have experienced an adverse medication event in the last 6 months.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Aged Care report found that:

  • Over 95% of people living in aged care facilities have at least one problem with their medicines detected at the time of a medicines review; most have three problems
  • One in five unplanned hospital admissions among people living in aged care facilities are a result of taking medicines generally considered potentially inappropriate for older people.
  • 40-50% of people living in aged care are on medicines that have the potential to cause sedation or confusion.
  • 50% of people with dementia are taking medicines with anticholinergic properties, which can worsen confusion and other symptoms of dementia.
  • One fifth of people living in aged care are on antipsychotics; more than half use the medicine for too long.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Rural and Remote Care report found that:

  • 72,500 rural and remote Australians are admitted to hospital each year due to medicine-related problems.
  • The estimated cost to the Australian healthcare system of these admissions is $400 million each year. At least half of this harm is preventable.
  • 3 million rural and remote Australians do not take their medicines at all or as intended adding an estimated $2.03 billion to our annual healthcare costs.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Disability Care report found that:

  • People with disability face challenges at all stages of medicine use – prescribing, dispensing, administration and adherence, and monitoring.
  • Almost 3 in 4 people with intellectual disability in a residential facility have been chemically restrained for more than five years.

 

 

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.

 

Growth in pharmacy workforce urgently needed to better serve the health system

30 August 2022

 

National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Dr Fei Sim has today called for the Australian Federal Government to urgently invest into growing workforce capacity in pharmacy, ahead of this week’s Jobs and Skills Summit.

 

Despite being the only peak body representing all pharmacists in Australia, PSA has not been invited to attend the Jobs and Skills Summit, after the entire pharmacy sector was also snubbed from the Health Minister’s recent Health Workforce Summit. 

 

“Growth in pharmacy workforce capacity is urgently needed to meet the demands of our patients, communities and health system,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Just like other industries, labour shortages are affecting pharmacies and putting further strain on already exhausted pharmacists.

 

“We have been on the frontlines for two and a half years, keeping our heads above water and dealing with workforce shortages to keep our communities safe. Now is the time for serious action to boost the pharmacist workforce. 

 

“There are persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining pharmacists across all settings, with many telling us that low wages, in some areas, are pushing them away from practice.


“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese again thanked healthcare workers in his address at the National Press Club, but the sector needs leadership and action, not more thanks.


“If working conditions do not improve across the board, the expertise of pharmacists will become inaccessible to our communities. We need leadership from the Federal Government to keep pharmacists on the ground delivering frontline health care and medicine safety.

 

“The Federal Government needs to invest in a whole of profession workforce strategy, working with pharmacists and peak bodies to create attractive and rewarding careers. PSA is ready and willing to work with government to ensure our pharmacist workforce can meet the demands of the future.


“We want to see a plan that puts pharmacists, as the most accessible health professional, at the forefront of health care and allow pharmacists to continue to work with GPs and other healthcare professionals to deliver accessible and safe care to all Australians,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

 

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

RADIO INTERVIEW: Pharmacists role in primary health care

Dr Fei Sim, PSA National President on Radio 2SM

17 August 2022

 

PRESENTER: I welcome along today to join us from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President Dr Fei Sim… Welcome Dr Fei how are you?

 

DR FEI SIM: Good afternoon, thank you so much for having me.

 

PRESENTER: You’re most welcome. I said that was my prediction , and that came from what we went through in the last couple of years with COVID-19 – how that impacted us and our health – and really the role that our chemists and pharmacies played in stepping up and helping people out. Helping them out with flu symptoms, to get a jab, and the role they played there. Do you think I’m looking toward the next five years as correct in what I say?

 

DR FEI SIM: You raise a really good point there, it’s almost like you’ve got a crystal ball in front of you . I think we can all agree that because of COVID-19, you know COVID-19 has really changed how health professionals practice, but more importantly it has how Australians like to seek health care. What we’re seeing is that the Australian health system is under enormous pressure and in your introduction you mentioned the critical issue we have at the moment which is a GP access crisis with some of the reports we’re receiving saying that wait times are up to four to five weeks. COVID-19 has seen people come through community pharmacy doors, coming to speak to community pharmacists, as their primary health care providers, so I think your prediction there is definitely right and that pharmacists are ready and are here to provide a greater primary health care role in the community.

 

PRESENTER: Dr Fei can you give me an overview of what we’re facing at the moment and what the doctors are facing with the bulk billing issue?

 

DR FEI SIM: We all agree that at the moment that there is a GP access crisis, and based on the latest national survey less than fourteen per cent of medical graduates want to go into General Practice. So, the issue is here to stay and of course adding in bulk billing issues it really is going to affect consumer’s health seeking behaviour or the affordability of seeking health care. As a health system as a whole we need to enable all healthcare professionals to practice to their top of scope, so in this case for instance there are things that a pharmacist can assist with to better serve the health system, for instance, you know, vaccinations, minor ailment management and triaging people so we can reduce unnecessary emergency department and GP presentations. Pharmacists can help with renewing prescriptions for people who are on long term medications, for instance, or even collaborative prescribing. All of this is to free up valuable time of our GPs because our GPs are one of the most highly skilled and highly trained providers, and we need them to be doing more.

 

PRESENTER: With our daily health needs, one of the biggest requirements as you go in with ongoing health concerns is getting your script filled, and to go to a doctor just to get your script filled or to go along those lines, and then to find that you’re going to a doctor who is having issues with bulk billing … Is this an area you think we’ll be leaning more toward a more support role by the chemists and pharmacists assisting where you might not have to go to a doctor in the future and have that consulting and health relationship with pharmacists?

 

DR FEI SIM: That certainly is one of the innovative ways to better serve the health system and of course there will be different patient needs so going by the example you gave there, if someone has a chronic medical condition and they’ve been stabilised on a long-term medicine… The stats are telling us that the average Australian visits a community pharmacy eighteen times a year, they’re already going to their pharmacists, so provided that their medical conditions are stabilised and they’ve been stabilised on their long term medication then yes, in those instances pharmacists can assist in renewing those prescriptions, doing monitoring, but at the same time liaising on the ground with their GP if there’s anything that requires referral. The pharmacist can then facilitate referrals to a GP, that way it frees up GP’s time to undertake more complex cases. So, all together the main message here is that we need to work together at a primary health care level to prevent emergency department and hospitalisations so our whole health system can be more sustainable.  

 

PRESENTER: Do you see more of a stronger collaborative role between the GPs and our pharmacists in the future?

 

DR FEI SIM: Well, what I can share is that on the ground pharmacists and GPs work very well together, especially during COVID-19, you know, we have so many examples of where pharmacists work so closely with their GPs. If a GP is seeing a patient through telehealth, if the patient needs any additional support, GPs actually work really well with the pharmacists. And pharmacists are well trained, you know, they know whats within their scope of practice but also knows trigger points where someone needs to be referred to their GP and the whole triaging process and prioritisation will help people who need to see their GP first get to do that. Then other people who have their condition stabilised and require monitoring if instance, the those things can be managed definitely by a pharmacist as part of routine practice.  It’s already happening at the moment, it’s about normalising and formalising that moving forward.

 

PRESENTER: Dr Fei, COVID-19 really opened our eyes to the services that our chemists and pharmacists can offer us, can you tell me what we might look at as expanded services that we may be able to utilise from our chemists and pharmacists in the future?

 

DR FEI SIM: Well, during COVID-19 pharmacists actually kept their doors open, and we’ve had that health needs where we need as many people in our public be vaccinated, even if I use vaccination as an example, but we’ve really stepped up to ensure that we can vaccinate as many people as we can in our communities to reach the vaccination target. So definitely I do see pharmacists playing an expanded role to other types of vaccines as well as other services like minor ailment management, and the example you gave in your introduction about cold and flu symptoms… you know, you should be going to your pharmacist first and allow pharmacist to triage that first. Also people on chronic medications to actually see their pharmacists for ongoing prescriptions.

 

PRESENTER: Dr Fei, our health needs are so many and varied at the moment in Australia, everything from the paediatrics and new childbirth issues in a new baby, weight issues in Australians, right through to diabetes issues and type two diabetes… all these issues I believe are things at the front of mind for chemist and pharmacists?

 

DR FEI SIM: Yes absolutely, so there is definitely already a trend now for pharmacists to be doing more and offering more professional services. So the examples that you gave there, we’re doing a lot more health screenings. For instance, screening and monitoring people for their blood glucose levels, for their cholesterol levels, and if they require weight management or even smoking cessation, or infant and child health, you know, all of these are about bridging the gap and filling in the gaps but also at the same time making sure that if the person requires additional specialist care that the pharmacist can then facilitate that referral.

 

PRESENTER: Joining us this afternoon from the PSA this afternoon, Dr Fei Sim, thank you for joining us…

 

ENDS

Big Tobacco has no place in Australian healthcare

3 August 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has strongly denounced the reported introduction of a financial incentive program for dispensing nicotine vaping products.

 

Early reports claim that Philip Morris International (PMI) is looking to provide payments to pharmacists to dispense its “VEEV” vaping product.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim has categorically rejected the program, urging pharmacists not to participate in the proposed scheme.

 

“No healthcare professional should accept financial incentives or support from a tobacco company. Big tobacco cannot, and should not, be trusted with the health of Australians.

 

“PMI’s offer of financial kickbacks shows clear contempt for our profession and our dedication to the health and wellbeing of our communities. It’s galling PMI are promoting these products while they remain unregulated and unregistered. No nicotine vapes are registered as medicines in Australia.

 

Nicotine vaping products have not been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and remain unregulated in Australia, however, patients may access unregistered liquid nicotine products with a prescription from their doctor.

 

“There are currently no nicotine vaping products registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and no company should be advertising unregulated products to Australian healthcare professionals.

 

“Do not confuse a commercially motivated decision from a large multi-national tobacco company as a decision of Australian pharmacists.

 

“TGA has provided clear advice to pharmacists and the health sector – nicotine vaping does not provide substantial benefits to patients as a smoking cessation tool, and nicotine vaping products are not a first-line option for smoking cessation.

 

“PSA provides support and professional practice guidelines for Australian pharmacists to provide smoking cessation support.  

 

“It is not the role of health professionals, including pharmacists, to recommend unregulated therapeutic goods to patients, and PSA calls on any healthcare organisations that have financial agreements with Big Tobacco to terminate these agreements immediately.

 

To access the Guidelines for Pharmacists Providing Smoking Cessation Support, please visit this link. Further information is also available on the TGA website.

 

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

PSA22 comes to a close, PSA23 announced

31 July 2022

 

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today closed the leading education and professional development conference for pharmacists, PSA22, in Sydney. The conference brought hundreds of Australian pharmacists together to further their professional education and discuss the major issues facing the profession.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said the conference was a great opportunity for pharmacists to come together, face to face after three years.

 

“Pharmacists played a significant role in the health and wellbeing of Australians, having been on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, and delivering more than 8 million COVID-19 vaccination doses to date,” Dr Sim said.

 

“PSA22 has been a great opportunity for pharmacists from all around Australia to reconnect and celebrate what makes our profession great.

 

“I was proud to officially launch the Medicine Safety: Disability Care report on Friday, the fifth in PSA’s Medicine Safety Series.

 

“The Medicine Safety: Disability Care report identifies the real and significant issues Australians living with disability face. It is our duty, as healthcare professionals, to keep working to make care accessible and appropriate for everyone.

 

“PSA was also proud to give members the opportunity to hear directly from the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, about the incoming government’s agenda, and how we can continue to support the health and well-being of Australians.

 

“We were also able to recognise and celebrate our hardworking profession through a series of awards presented to outstanding pharmacists.”

 

The 2022 award winners are:

  • Symbion Pharmacist of the Year – A/Prof Faye McMillan (NSW)
  • Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Deborah Hawthorne (VIC)
  • Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award – Terence White AO and Rhonda White AO (QLD)
  • MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Shaylee Mills (WA)
  • Locumate Locum Pharmacist of the Year – Sean Richardson (SA)
  • Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year – Haylee Shaw (Tas.)
  • APSA Most Outstanding Oral Presentation winner – Lily Pham (NSW)
  • APSA Most Outstanding Poster Presentation winner – Oya Gulal (Vic.)

 

“Congratulations again to all the 2022 award winners and newly inducted Fellows of the Society and thank you to all the panellists, speakers, staff and volunteers who made PSA22 happen.”

 

Dr Sim also announced that PSA23 will be held in Sydney, NSW in July 2023.

 

“It is so valuable to come together, share our experiences as pharmacists from a range of settings, and learn from one another. We cannot wait to see you next year.”

 

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

PSA22: Intern of the Year and Locum of the Year awards

30 July 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the 2022 Intern Pharmacist of the Year and Locum Pharmacist of the Year, which were awarded at PSA22’s plenary session this morning.

 

Shaylee Mills has been awarded the 2022 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year.

 

Sean Richardson has been awarded the 2022 PSA Locumate Locum Pharmacist of the Year.

 

The PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award recognises intern pharmacists who show outstanding performance in their development as professional pharmacists.

 

“Shaylee Mills has demonstrated her enthusiasm and innovation as an intern pharmacist, and the importance of team work when delivering health services in rural and remote parts of Western Australia,” PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said.

 

“Shaylee has made positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of her local community in the Kimberley region, especially in response to COVID-19, when she worked alongside a team of dedicated senior pharmacists and mentors.”

 

“Shaylee’s passion to improve rural healthcare is evident, as she advocates for more students and interns to consider undertaking a rural placement/internship, contributing to rural workforce capacity.”

 

MIMS CEO Robert Best also congratulated Shaylee, reaffirming MIMS commitment to supporting the next generation of pharmacists.

 

“MIMS acknowledges that pharmacists are the cornerstone of advising, educating and dispensing medicines across Australia, and view the pharmacy profession as the most important and pivotal part of our medicines ecosystem when dealing with consumers and patients,” he said.

 

“For nearly six decades, MIMS has been the most trusted provider of drug and medicines information across the Australian healthcare industry.

 

“It’s this longevity of use that compels MIMS to ensure that Interns who are driving the future of Pharmacy can trust MIMS to stand side-by-side with them as a resource partner.”

 

The PSA Locumate Locum Pharmacist of the Year Award recognises the incredible impact locum pharmacists make all over Australia.

 

“I’m proud to award Sean Richardson with PSA’s first ever Locum Pharmacist of the Year Award, acknowledging the vital work of locum pharmacists especially during the pandemic,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Sean has helped countless pharmacies across Australia and is always encouraging students and pharmacists to make the move to rural and locum pharmacy.”

 

Locumate co-founder Kavita Nadan also extended her congratulations to the winner.

 

“Locumate’s vision is to create a community for locums to feel supported and recognised for their ongoing efforts in helping our profession and being an integral part in delivering the vital healthcare services that pharmacy offers our communities.

 

“Through innovation and technology, Locumate is determined to change the experience for pharmacists and pharmacies in our industry.

 

PSA extends thanks to award sponsors, MIMS and Locumate, and looks forward to working with them again in 2023.

 

 

 

Media contact: Georgia Clarke 0487 922 176

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the professional organisation of Australian pharmacists. PSA is the only government-recognised peak national body for pharmacists, representing all of the pharmacy profession in Australia.

 

 

PSA22: Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year Announced

30 July 2022

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to congratulate Haylee Shaw from the University of Tasmania for taking out the 2022 PSA Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) award.

 

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.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim congratulated the winner.

 

“Congratulations to Haylee Shaw for successfully taking out the Pharmacy Student of the Year award,” Dr 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.

 

“PSA is dedicated to making pharmacy an attractive career path for young people and celebrating success regardless of where you are in your career.

 

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

 

Haylee says she has always had an interest in pharmacy and is excited to network and learn from other pharmacists.

 

“I have always admired the accessible nature of the pharmacy profession. The ability to provide evidence-based advice and quality use of medicines to any member of the community without cost that is something that really attracted me to this career path.

 

“I entered this competition as I wanted to push myself and further my practical experience. I was also excited to be a part of the national conference and hear from likeminded peers and professional.”

 

Viatris Head of Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Portfolio and Sourcing, Charbel Azzi, also reiterated their continued support for the next generation of Australian pharmacists.

 

“At Viatris, we see pharmacists as the custodians of medicine safety and efficacy. We’re delighted to renew our sponsorship of the Pharmacy Student of the Year Award this year to support the pharmacy professionals of the future.

 

“They play a vital role in empowering Australians to live healthier at every stage of life, a mission we share. I was heartened by the drive and dedication of all the winners. I was particularly inspired by Haylee’s exemplary patient counselling skills, and congratulate her for winning this year.”

 

The People’s Choice Award was presented to Chloe Woodward from Newcastle University. 


PSA extends thanks to the PSOTY award sponsor, Viatris, for their ongoing support of the event, and looks forward to working with them again in 2023.

PSA22: Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples launched

30 July 2022

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today launched guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management, as part of PSA22.

 

The guidelines mark PSA’s ongoing commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by enhancing medicines management. The principles included in the guideline are relevant to all current and future pharmacists, from those just starting their professional journey to those with years of experience working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said that the guidelines were a vital part of the pharmacy profession’s effort to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

 

“PSA is proud to have worked with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to develop these guidelines, which will help pharmacists around Australia, in all practice settings, deliver the best care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients,” she said.

 

“The guidance can be used as a tool to support balanced and professional decision making, and ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients’ needs, beliefs and preferences are met in a culturally safe way.

 

“The guidance can be used as an educational resource to inform quality assurance processes, support better practice, and provide support when resolving disputes and ethical dilemmas.

 

“I thank everyone involved in developing the guidelines, in particular the writing group consisting of exceptional pharmacists A/Prof Faye McMillan, Hannah Mann, and Naomi Weier.”

 

Deputy CEO of NACCHO, Dr Dawn Casey, says that the guidelines offer practical and detailed information, as well as some challenging ideas.

 

“All pharmacists have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients as well as colleagues, business partners or family who we interact with, know and work alongside,” she said.

 

“We hope you enjoy the journey as you work through the guideline and appreciate the relationships and learning that takes place along the way. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rich and diverse cultures are part of Australia’s identity. There is so much knowledge and power in this cultural capital.”

 

A/Prof Faye McMillan launched the report this morning at PSA22.

 

“In your journey as a pharmacist, this guideline offers you an opportunity to develop professionally, expand your organisation or business’s impact, build relationships and grow professionally,” A/Prof McMillan said.

 

“This is an exciting opportunity for pharmacists around Australia to move toward a strength-based approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care.

 

“The last guide to providing pharmacy services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was released in 2014, and I’m proud to have worked with PSA to update these to reflect today’s best practice.

 

The development of the Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia thanks all those who have contributed to the development of the guidelines.

 

The guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management can be read here.

 

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the professional organisation of Australian pharmacists. PSA is the only government-recognised peak national body for pharmacists, representing all of the pharmacy profession in Australia.