Training for community pharmacy to support people who are grieving

Wednesday 8^th December 2021

 

In partnership with COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has developed an online training module designed to equip community pharmacists and pharmacy assistants with skills to better support people who are grieving.

 

The content for Supporting People with their Grief and Bereavement was written by subject matter experts from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) and is now live.

 

PSA NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, explained how this initiative supports pharmacists and pharmacy staff who are often the first primary care providers that these people come in contact with.

 

“Grief is a natural part of life, and for some people, it can be incredibly debilitating. Its intensity and longevity varies for each individual and everyone has unique coping mechanisms for managing the loss of a loved one,” she said.

 

“Pharmacy staff frequently come into contact with patients and or customers who are grieving, many of whom have lost someone close to them in recent weeks, days or even hours – often meaning they are the first point of contact.

 

“It’s upsetting to see a patient or customer break down in front of you, and for pharmacy staff who may have less experience in these scenarios, it can be quite confronting. In most cases, the individual just needs someone to listen and respond with compassion.

 

“As Australia’s most accessible healthcare provider, local pharmacists are well placed to assist these individuals – and through completion of this new training module, the profession will be better equipped to support them.”

 

Ms Felkai went on to discuss the module itself.

 

“Upon completion of the module, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants will be more perceptive when it comes to identifying someone who may be experiencing difficulty with their grief.

 

“The evidence-based training teaches appropriate communication strategies, enabling pharmacists to better converse with the individual – it also helps to identify suitable referral pathways for consideration if additional support is needed.

 

“As community pharmacists, our ability to connect with patients and customers is the crux of professional practice and this innovative training resource will ultimately raise the standard of pharmacist care across NSW.

 

“I strongly encourage all community pharmacists and pharmacy staff across NSW to undertake and complete this module,” Ms Felkai said.

 

To access the module, Supporting People with their Grief and Bereavement, please visit this link.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacists ready to immunise Australian children against COVID-19

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for Australian children.

 

Yesterday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved Pfizer’s COMIRNATY vaccine for children above the age of five years, with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) soon to consider the advice.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said immunity in the nation’s youth is the missing link in the vaccination strategy and pharmacists are ready to protect this important group.

 

“This is welcomed news for Australian parents, whose children will soon be able to book in for their COVID-19 vaccinations – I know many would like their children vaccinated before the start of the 2022 school year.

 

“In recent months we’ve seen unvaccinated children return to high-risk settings such as classrooms, and as expected, many schools have subsequently become exposure sites.

 

“PSA believes that it is imperative that all Australian children can access COVID-19 vaccinations in order to keep themselves, their families and the community safe.

 

“Opening up to this age bracket now means that there are 2.3 million children who will be in need of vaccination, and as the majority of Australians become eligible to receive their booster dose over the coming months, pharmacist immunisers will have their hands full. Given this, it is imperative that pharmacists are paid fairly for their vaccination services, and at least equally to other health providers.

 

“Vaccination is the best way to ensure these susceptible populations and their families are protected against the virus – plugging the hole in national immunity.

 

“Pharmacists are trained and experienced in vaccinating younger age groups against other vaccine-preventable diseases and are now ready to protect them against COVID-19.

 

“Given the expedient uptake from the 12-15 age bracket, now at 76.6% first dose and 67.5% double dose, we are confident that public demand will be high for 5-11s,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the TGA and ATAGI over the coming months to ensure pharmacists are equipped with the most up-to-date advice regarding the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA thanks Minister Hunt for his outstanding service

Thursday 2^nd December 2021 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) applauds the Hon Greg Hunt MP for his service as Minister for Health and Aged Care.

 

Announced today during the final parliamentary sitting for 2021, Minister Hunt confirmed that he will be stepping away from politics after next year’s Federal Election. 

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, thanked the Minister for his service to the nation and paid tribute to his leadership throughout recent health crises.

 

“Today’s announcement that Minister Hunt will step away from politics following next year’s election truly signifies the end of an era – and I thank him deeply for his efforts over the past four years.

 

“The way in which the Minister has risen to the challenges of the past few years has been second-to-none. 

 

“Through drought and bushfires, Minister Hunt led the way in protecting and championing the health and wellbeing of all Australians, placing both patient and practitioner outcomes at the forefront of his efforts. 

 

“As a result of his leadership and resolute approach to the pandemic, this nation has incurred a far lower mortality rate from COVID-19 – whilst our health system continues to withstand the impending threat posed by this disease.

 

“I commenced my presidency here at PSA shortly after Minister Hunt took office, and from the outset, our relationship with the Minister, his office, and the Department has been very productive – growing stronger through the pandemic response. 

 

“Throughout his tenure, Minister Hunt has been a strong advocate for the pharmacy profession, particularly in the areas of medicine safety by declaring Medication Safety and Quality Use of Medicines as Australia’s 10^th National Health Priority Area. He also invested in the pharmacy profession so that we may better serve Australia’s most vulnerable populations.

 

“In July last year, he welcomed PSA as signatories to the 7^th Community Pharmacy Agreement, a significant milestone ensuring the whole pharmacy profession’s voice was heard.

 

“Greg will be remembered as one of Australia’s most important Health Ministers. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future and PSA looks forward to working with him throughout the remainder of his term,” he said.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacists poised to receive massive respiratory care boost

Australians living with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions will soon get more coordinated, effective care from their local pharmacist thanks to a new specialist taskforce.

 

The taskforce, chaired by Woolcock Institute of Medical Research respiratory expert Professor Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich, will ensure community pharmacists are better supported to educate people about respiratory conditions, support correct medication use and identify those high risk patients who need additional medical care.

 

“Pharmacists are uniquely positioned at the coal face to identify the key issues with a person’s asthma or COPD and direct them towards the right kind of care,” Professor Bosnic-Anticevich explained.

 

“They have far better access to patients than any other healthcare provider, but too often this access is underutilised, and opportunities to check, monitor and advise both patients and prescribers are lost.

 

“Through the formation of this specialist taskforce, pharmacists will be better informed about new emerging treatments and changes in disease management guidelines, and better able to effectively help these patients,” she said.

 

The Respiratory Pharmacy Taskforce, established by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), as part of the Respiratory Care Community of Specialty Interest, is made up of pharmacy respiratory experts, leaders within the pharmacy profession, consumers, respiratory physicians, GPs, and representatives from the Lung Foundation Australia, National Asthma Council and Asthma Australia. It is headed by Professor Bosnic-Anticevich, a global expert in respiratory medicines use, and includes fellow Woolcock pharmacy specialist, Professor Bandana Saini. The taskforce will meet over the next two years to focus on asthma management initially and then extend to COPD.

 

Among the most important objectives, the taskforce will set up a specialist respiratory leadership team that will keep pharmacists abreast of the latest disease and treatment developments. It will also establish a highly organised national network of community pharmacists to engage with on respiratory issues, and seek feedback on the current status of asthma management in pharmacies through a national survey.

 

“We’ll also be articulating the key skills and knowledge that every practising pharmacist needs in order to meet the modern-day needs of patients with respiratory issues, and then working with accrediting bodies to ensure the profession can acquire these new competencies,” Professor Bosnic-Anticevich said.

 

“Importantly, the group will also build a community of respiratory pharmacist experts who can communicate key messages around asthma and COPD and support education initiatives across Australia.

 

“Through these various pathways, we’ll be ensuring that our local pharmacists are more knowledgeable, well-skilled and better supported to help those patients with asthma and COPD that pass through their doors,” she says. “For many people with asthma and COPD, a pharmacist is the health professional they see more than any other. Our plan is to utilise that treatment opportunity far better than we have before.”

 

The inaugural meeting of the Respiratory Taskforce was held today on World COPD Day. Chair of the PSA Contemporary Community Pharmacy Practice Community of Specialty Interest and PSA Board Director, Dr Fei Sim, noted: “This is a timely reminder to Government that community pharmacists are often the first health care professional a patient sees when they have respiratory symptoms or allergies. They are vital in supporting patients, ultimately preventing hospital admissions, of which COPD is the second leading cause of avoidable hospitalisations in Australia.”

 

Read the taskforce’s full list of key objectives here.

 

For interview requests, contact Woolcock media consultant, Lucy Williams, on 0403 753 028 or PSA media on 0424 777 463.

 

About the Woolcock

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research is one of the world’s leading respiratory and sleep research organisations. It has over 200 medical researchers working to uncover the causes of disease, find better treatments and translate these into practice.

 

About PSA

PSA is the only Australian Government-recognised peak national professional pharmacy organisation representing all of Australia’s 31,000 pharmacists working in all sectors and across all locations. PSA is committed to improving Australia’s health through excellence in pharmacist care. PSA believes the expertise of pharmacists can be better utilised to address the health care needs of all Australians.

 

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Twitter: @PSA_National https://twitter.com/PSA_national

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2 million COVID-19 vaccinations administered by pharmacists!

Yet another milestone has been achieved by Australian pharmacists, who have now administered more than 2 million COVID-19 vaccines to patients.

 

As of yesterday, 90 percent of the population aged over 16 years has received their first dose of the vaccine, with more than 37 million doses administered nationally.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, thanked pharmacists for going above and beyond to protect their communities and discussed the transition into the National Booster Program.

 

“In the space of one month, pharmacists have doubled the number of vaccinations they have administered, with more than 2 million now recorded – and I thank you for the part you have played in delivering the national vaccination strategy.

 

“Pharmacists’ contribution to the roll out to-date has helped to propel Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT out of lockdown, right in time for the summer holiday period – allowing people to visit their loved ones and getting Australians back into work.

 

“Select pharmacies now have all three COVID-19 vaccines; Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca available – so regardless of what stage you’re at in your vaccination journey, speak with your local pharmacist about which vaccine is best for you.

 

“As Australia begins to open up and as vaccination hubs revert to pre-pandemic arrangements, we will see pharmacies will become critical access points for 6-month boosters, along with other vaccinations like the seasonal influenza vaccination. In preparation for this, it is essential that we have an appropriate funding model in place that adequately remunerates pharmacists to continue to deliver this essential service,” he said.

 

PSA is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering all COVID-19 vaccines both safely and effectively to the public.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes the Queensland Government’s decision to expand vaccine mandate

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Queensland Government’s decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all private healthcare staff.

 

Under the recently announced Workers in a Healthcare Setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction, all private health, aged care and disability service workers in Queensland will be required to be fully vaccinated by 15 December.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, praised Minister D’Ath’s leadership in ensuring that frontline staff and Queenslanders are protected in time for the State’s reopening.

 

“We are delighted that the public health orders have now been extended to those working in pharmacies, private hospitals, day surgeries, GP clinics, optometrists and various other settings. PSA commends the Health Minister for nipping this in the bud prior to our reopening on 17 December.

 

“Mandatory vaccination is the best way to protect health care workers, patients and to reduce the risk of further transmission through high-risk primary care settings.

 

“Over the course of the pandemic, Queensland has been sheltered from the brunt of this virus – avoiding widespread community transmission, high infection rates and the accompanying lockdowns. As domestic and international borders reopen and socialisation increases, this is all about to change – and we must be prepared to live alongside this deadly disease.

 

“The last thing we want is a situation where vulnerable members of the community remain anxious about contracting this disease through these primary care settings. It is imperative those seeking care feel confident that their provider at the other end has heeded the health advice.

 

“The onus is on us as health professionals to provide the safest possible environment for society’s most vulnerable, ensuring that they are not deterred from accessing our facilities as they seek treatment in order improve their overall quality of life.

 

“Whilst this is good news for the state, we also recognise those extenuating circumstances where health workers have genuine medical contraindications to vaccination – for this exceptionally small cohort, PSA supports the need for additional controls to reduce risk to the public and healthcare workers,” Mr MacDonald said.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Submission: National Medicines Policy Review

To view this submission, please open this link – 2021Oct22 NMP review PSA sub final (002)

Communique: 43rd Meeting of the Australian Pharmacy Leaders Forum Wednesday, 4 August 2021

The members of the Australian Pharmacy Leaders Forum (APLF) met on Wednesday, 4 August 2021, in the 43^rd meeting of the group.

 

In the spirit of collaboration, each organisation provided a short update on recent activity, highlighting areas for Forum discussion and action.

 

APLF members discussed the impact COVID-19 is having on pharmacists across Australia. Members acknowledged the crucial role pharmacies and the pharmacist workforce have performed as they remained open during the pandemic. All members were incredibly proud of the profession while noting the immense strain it has placed on us all.

 

APLF members discussed the significant role pharmacists are performing in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, and noted that community pharmacy activation across the country will be critical in the execution of the vaccination strategy.

 

APLF members discussed the psychological, physical and societal impact on pharmacists who have consistently been on the front line since the pandemic began early last year. Members discussed the need for more support to the profession and remain committed to continuing to deliver support services while advocating for funding, recognition and care for pharmacists.

 

Members discussed employment conditions across the pharmacy profession, and the impact this is having on retention, workforce morale, workload, workplace health and safety, and attracting people to the profession. Members agreed to establish a working party with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) and Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) to examine workplace relations opportunities by collaborating and developing a common advocacy plan for addressing conditions across the profession.

 

The messages of support and acknowledgment of what the profession has been and is going through can be downloaded via this link for sharing on your social media channels.

 

APLF is due to meet for its 44^th meeting in December 2021.

 

APLF member organisations:

1. Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP)
2. Australian College of Pharmacy (ACP)
3. Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
4. Council of Pharmacy Schools: Australia and New Zealand (CPS)
5. National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA)
6. Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL)
7. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
8. Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)
9. Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA)
10. Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA)

The Pharmacy Board of Australia is part of the APLF as an observer

PSA Queensland Branch recognises outstanding achievement

Last night at the Queensland Pharmacy Awards ceremony, held at Courtyard by Marriott in South Bank, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) acknowledged outstanding achievement across the state over the past 12 months.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, presented awards for Pharmacist of the Year, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Intern of the Year, Professor James Dare Graduate of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

“These awards recognise the outstanding contribution of the winners alongside the critical role pharmacists provided to communities throughout Queensland over the past year,” he said.

 

“Their achievements highlight the incredible talent that we have across the pharmacy profession in Queensland. The winners truly embody PSA’s vision for the profession, Pharmacists in 2023, and have all clearly demonstrated their contribution to pharmacy in the state.

 

“By empowering pharmacists to be more responsible for medicine safety, demonstrating working collaboratively within healthcare teams and providing support and education to the next generation of pharmacists, these winners exemplify practice here in Queensland. I congratulate them on their success and thank them for their commitment to furthering our profession.”

 

This year’s award winners are as follows:

• Selina Taylor MPS: Pharmacist of the Year (Bowl of Hygeia)
• Andrew Calabro MPS: Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
• Jacob Neilson MPS: Intern of the Year
• Samantha King STM: Professor James Dare Graduate of the Year
• Terry White AO MPS: Lifetime Achievement Award

 

The following Life Members were also recognised for 50 years continuous membership with PSA:

• Mario Barbagallo
• Gregory McGilvery
• Robyn Craig
• Tony Wright and
• Rhonda White AO

 

Warren Blee OAM FPS, Jacquie Meyer and Tegan Stark were also acknowledged for their service to the Queensland Branch Committee as outgoing Branch Committee Members. Tegan Stark as Early Career Pharmacist Chair, Jacquie Meyer as Early Career Pharmacist Chair and Branch President from 2017-2019 and Warren Blee who has served on the Branch Committee for an incredible 30 years’, including two terms as Branch President in 1997-1998 and 2005-2007.

 

Award winner profiles below.

 

Selina Taylor: PSA Queensland Pharmacist of the Year

Mount Isa based pharmacist, Selina Taylor, was awarded PSA Queensland Pharmacist of the Year for her passion of the pharmacy profession. Selina is dedicated to the delivery of innovative pharmacist care to rural and remote communities, improving access to health services by equipping the pharmacist workforce to deliver expanded services – using research to ensure a robust evidence base for existing and future pharmacist programs.

Awarded the PSA Queensland Intern of the Year in 2009, her commitment to rural practice and our profession has gained momentum. In the last two years, Selina has made a significant contribution to the PSA’s Action of Change, expanding services to meet the needs of her community and for rural communities in general consultation with all stakeholders including health professionals, consumers, and professional and legal organisations. This has culminated in ListenUp, delivering ear health services in two rural communities in a collaborative model of care.

 

Andrew Calabro: Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

The Early Career Pharmacist Award has gone to Andrew Calabro for his work in rural and regional North Queensland. Andrew’s willingness to incorporate new community driven services is a testament to his ability and contribution to his community. A strong advocate for the pharmacy profession, Andrew has been involved in the PSA’s Early Career Pharmacists working group acting as the group’s Secretary for numerous years. A keen interest in the law, he has supplied his advice in numerous documents including the recently updated Poisons and Medicines Regulations and the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. Andrew has provided advice that has aided the PSA’s development of consultation reports, enhancing the role of community pharmacists by having a greater level of responsibility and accountability for medicines management as a result.

 

Jacob Neilson: Intern of the Year

The Intern of the Year award has gone to Jacob Neilson. Jacob is described by his preceptor as one of the most organised, well-prepared interns ever having the privilege to work with. A proactive and intelligent intern that utilises his knowledge along with his experience from both inside and outside the pharmacy environment.

He has been pivotal in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations at his pharmacy. Excited to be part of the nationwide initiative, he showed no hesitation – training support staff to understand and record bookings and pre-screening details as well as taking on the role of vaccinator.

Jacob has been positively engaged in his profession from day one of his internship, and provides great confidence in the future of pharmacy.

 

Samantha King, Professor James Dare PSA Graduate of the Year

Samantha King, final-year student at the University of Queensland was recognised for her high level of communication and interpersonal skills, sound academic performance, leadership, strong ethics and contribution to the student community. Samantha displays initiative, generosity and social mindfulness in her various volunteering roles and involvement with QPSA, NAPSA and the PSA Early Career Pharmacist Working Group. Samantha was accepted into the University of Queensland Student-Staff Partnership program to redevelop a first-year pharmacy subject. Working alongside two key pharmacy academics, Samantha helped amalgamate a first-year chemistry and introductory pharmacy course, removing an assessment task that relied on ‘rote-learning’. Samantha has already made a significant contribution to the profession in her various roles and will no doubt drive positive change in the future.

 

Terry White AO, Lifetime Achievement Award

PSA Life Member, Terry White, was described as an entrepreneurial pharmacist who has had a far-reaching impact as a leader and innovator in business, community service, politics and health care delivery.

 

Since starting out in the late 1950s as a pharmacist, Terry has never lost his passion for the profession. Thousands of fellow pharmacists note our Lifetime Achievement recipient as their mentor, confidant, friend and advocate for the profession. Terry uses his skills to help pharmacists be able to practice to their full scope in order to improve health outcomes for all stakeholders – patients, medical practitioners, governments and pharmacists.

 

Instrumental in kicking off the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP) – the respect and insight to act as counsel for the Queensland State Government in paving the way for Professor Lisa Nissen, Chris Campbell and the QPIP team to execute a strategy to see pharmacists vaccinating nationally in 2021.

 

Leading by example as an innovator and early adopter, Terry’s focus has been on measures that enhance professionalism and directly benefit community health. The many accolades he has received include Officer of the Order of Australia: Queensland Great; Queensland Father of the Year; and Ernst and Young Champion of Entrepreneurship. He is also a member of the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

 

Terry is known throughout the profession as a caring and passionate man who will always fight for the recognition of pharmacists. His philosophy is, it’s the people that make the difference – and across his career, Terry has undoubtedly done so.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA achieves equal gender representation milestone!

Announced today, The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National Board has proudly appointed Sara Pantzer, Tony Evans and Deanna Mill as Independent Board Directors.

 

Their appointments further diversify the PSA Board’s composition, reflecting PSA’s commitment to equal representation of women (now 58 per cent).

 

Sara Pantzer brings extensive experience in health policy, strategic communications, advocacy and government relations to the Board, with a track record which speaks for itself. Sara has over 25 years of senior executive experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, and has a deep understanding of the healthcare sector and its policy underpinnings.

 

Sara’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s history, becoming the seventh female Board Member – signifying the largest proportion of female influence at Board level in PSA’s history.

 

After three years on the PSA Board serving in various capacities, the Board has also reappointed Tony Evans for his extensive corporate governance and finance experience. Tony’s comprehensive knowledge of the PSA, and the discipline of accounting, complements Sara’s skillset nicely.

 

Sara and Tony join the previously announced Early Career Pharmacy Board-Appointed Board Director, Deanna Mill.

 

PSA Chief Executive, Mark Kinsela, welcomed all to the roles and acknowledged this historic organisational milestone.

 

“I congratulate Sara and Deanna on their appointments, and Tony on his reappointment, as Independent Board Directors of PSA.

 

“Their combined experience across industry, policy and strategy in health makes them the perfect appointments to these roles. This is more than just changes of the guard, the new PSA Board holds the strength, diversity and vision for not just the organisation but for the profession as a whole, as we face challenges of stagnant wages and increasing scope of practice.

 

“Diversity in leadership within PSA continues to grow and evolve, now with 23 of our 31 managers (69 per cent) being women. PSA is committed to reflecting the profession we lead – and will do everything in our power to ensure women are recognised and developed as they progress through their careers,” Mr Kinsela said.

 

PSA is excited by the prospect of working with Ms Pantzer, Mr Evans and Ms Mill over the next twelve months and is confident their influence will place the organisation in optimal stead to support pharmacists into the future.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463