2022-23 Federal Budget Submission

Friday 4^th February 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has called on the Federal Government to implement four key measures in its 2022-23 Budget Submission, enabling pharmacists to further improve health outcomes for Australians, particularly in residential aged care facilities and in regional Australia; and addressing unfair disparities that exist in pharmacist remuneration.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said that embedded pharmacists in Australia’s aged care workforce is well overdue.

 

“Ahead of next month’s Federal Budget, PSA has outlined to the Federal Government four key asks aimed at improving access to medicines and health care for Australians, particularly for residents in aged care facilities.

 

“As medication experts and the custodians of medicine safety, pharmacists must play an even greater role in the nation’s healthcare system by supporting aged care providers.

 

“PSA has been calling on the Government to provide funding for embedded pharmacists in residential aged care facilities for quite some time, to improve medication management, reduce medication-related harm, and to improve quality of life for their vulnerable residents.

 

“This will ensure that aged care facilities can consistently deliver a patient-centred, multidisciplinary service aimed at identifying, resolving and preventing medication-related problems such as polypharmacy and chemical restraint.

 

“It is crucial that service providers are allowed the flexibility to determine how they secure pharmacist services. Some facilities may choose to contract pharmacists through community pharmacies, some may choose to employ a pharmacist directly, or via a third party. It can’t be a one size fits all approach, as every facility is different.

 

“Every day that a pharmacist is not working alongside aged care staff in caring for older Australians, is a day residents are in danger from medication harm.

 

“Other recommendations include measures to address the unfair and inequitable pay disparity between pharmacists and other healthcare providers, and establishing a GP-Pharmacist Collaborative Prescribing Pilot in regional Australia to help address GP workforce shortages.

 

“Australian pharmacists have faced immense pressure over the past 24 months, and continue to be significantly underpaid for their services. Two key examples of this are case conferences – for which pharmacists are the only allied health provider that the government does not remunerate for their time and participation – and vaccinations administration (including COVID-19), where pharmacists are being remunerated at a much lower rate than other providers,” he said.

 

PSA thanks the Government for the opportunity to provide a submission for the 2022-23 Commonwealth Budget consultation process.

 

To view PSA’s 2022-23 Federal Budget Submission, please visit: https://www.psa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PSA-Federal-Budget-Submission-2022-2023.pdf

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

NAPSA Wildcard winner announced!

Friday 28^th January 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Renee Buckland on winning the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Wildcard Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) during last night’s PSOTY Wildcard Final at NAPSA Congress.

 

Ms Buckland, a 4^th year Pharmacy Honours student from James Cook University, will go on to compete at the PSOTY National Final at PSA’s annual flagship conference, PSA22, held in July.

 

Sponsored by Viatris, the PSOTY award recognises and celebrates Australia’s outstanding pharmacy students. The award showcases the knowledge, skills and abilities of select students to the broader pharmacy profession, whilst giving them the opportunity to apply, and be judged on, their counselling skills.

 

PSA also acknowledges all Wildcard finalists representing pharmacy students from universities across the country:

• Daniel Odeshou (University of Sydney)
• My Phuong Ly (Phuong) (Queensland University of Technology)
• Christy El-Khoury (University of Sydney)
• Allysa Mariane Alea (Allysa) (University of Western Australia)
• Mahek Shah (Monash University)
• Jade Craig (Curtin University)

 

The event was judged by PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, NAPSA President, Verity Boustead, and PSA Early Career Pharmacist Community of Specialty Interest representative, Kate Wang.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, congratulated Renee and all of the Wildcard’s finalists.

 

“I congratulate Renee on her success and wish her all the best at the National Finals later this year,” he said.

 

“In what was another difficult decision for the judges, all of the finalists demonstrated exceptional counselling skills – and for this they should be proud.

 

“I congratulate all of them for making it to this stage of the competition. They all brought their own unique styles and skillsets to the event, making it a difficult one to adjudicate – and it is evident that the future of pharmacy is a bright one.”

 

Ms Buckland will join the state winners at the National Final at PSA22. At the finals, students will be tested with a real-life clinical situation, where a patient will present with signs and symptoms or a specific product request. Students are then required to use their clinical knowledge and emotional intelligence to identify the most appropriate course of treatment and tailor their counselling skills to provide the most appropriate advice. Here they will also be assessed by a judging panel.

 

PSA extends thanks to the PSOTY award sponsor, Viatris, for their ongoing support and is looking forward to partnering with them once again at this year’s National Finals.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacists recognised in 2022 Australia Day Honours

Wednesday 26^th January 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates four extraordinary pharmacists on their Australia Day Honours.

 

This year, the following pharmacists were recognised for their outstanding service to the pharmacy profession and contribution to the nation.

 

2022 Honours list below:

• Mr Niels Bowen MPS – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• Mrs Valerie Constable – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• Mr John Robertson Coppock – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• Mr William Jack Horsfall FPS – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, acknowledged the tireless work of these individuals in striving to improve the health of our nation.

 

“I congratulate this year’s Australia Day Honours recipients for their substantial contribution to the profession, supporting the health and wellbeing of Australians.

 

“It is pleasing to see that these respected professionals have been recognised for their ongoing work and many years of dedication to improving pharmacy and our nation as a whole.

 

“Australian society and the health sector has clearly benefited from their efforts, and today’s Honours are testament to that,” he said.

 

Valerie (Val) Constable, a PSA 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, received her OAM for significant service to Australian pharmacy.

 

“Val has been a trailblazer in her own right, forging the path for women in the profession to follow. She has been a mentor to many pharmacists and has made substantial gains for pharmacist involvement in respiratory care,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“For more than three decades, Val has helped pave the way to optimise standards of pharmacy education and practice, becoming a trusted mentor to many.”

 

William (Bill) Horsfall, a PSA 2021 Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, received his OAM for service to Australian pharmacy.

 

“Bill is one of the most well-known pharmacists in Victoria and has had an illustrious career across many areas of pharmacy practice including hospital, community and academic practice,” he said.

 

“Bill is a role model for all. He has raised practice standards by example over a lifetime of dedicated practice, most notably as PSA (Vic) Director of Continue Education, a position he held for 23 years, where he lead the developed the most comprehensive CE program in Australia.”

 

John Robertson Coppock, a PSA 2015 PSA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, received his OAM for service to pharmacy in Australia.

 

“John has made a huge contribution to ensuring the pharmacy profession health and wellbeing remained front and centre,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“Amongst other high profile roles, he has been President of the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) since 2010 where he has led a committed team making sure we look after one another.”

 

Niels Bowen, was also honoured for his contributions to the profession.

 

“Niels has demonstrated sustained dedication to the pharmacy profession and has had a tremendous impact on modern practice, notably as a founder of the Chemist Outlet Group,” he said.

 

“At the University of Sydney, Niels has a ceremony named in his honour. Now he will add the OAM to his list of achievements.”

 

PSA also recognises today a previous Order of Australia Medal recipient, Mary Polack, who passed away at the age of 80 last month. Mary was the first Tasmanian PSA Life Member and was awarded her OAM in 2007 for her service to the pharmacy profession.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

A momentous day for access to flu vaccines in South Australia

Friday 21^st January 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) SA Branch welcomes the Marshall Government’s commitment to improving access to vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) through local pharmacies.

 

Yesterday, recommendations for the 2022 influenza season from the Community Pharmacy NIP Access Advisory Group were approved by the South Australian Government.

 

In addition to the privately-funded influenza vaccinations pharmacists currently provide to South Australians over the age of 10, they will now able to provide government-funded vaccinations to:

 

• People aged 65 years and older
• Pregnant women
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons aged 10 years and older

 

PSA SA Branch President, Robyn Johns, welcomed the move and praised the South Australian Government’s leadership on this critical issue.

 

“Today’s commitment from the Marshall Government to increase access NIP-funded influenza vaccines through the state’s pharmacies is a day of significant progress for South Australia’s health system.

 

“The South Australian Government established the Community Pharmacy NIP Access Advisory Group in June last year, and already, they’ve covered significant ground in ensuring that vulnerable population groups are best protected against the flu.

 

“This move means that South Australians will have a much easier time getting their flu vaccine as they can book in at their local pharmacy – like so many have done for their COVID-19 vaccines.

 

“Previously, pharmacists have been unable provide their patients, who fall within the cohorts, with NIP-funded flu vaccines meaning vulnerable patients were out-of-pocket or missed out on influenza vaccination altogether.

 

“Pharmacists are a critical part of the vaccination workforce, as evidenced through the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination program, where they have now administered over four million vaccines to Australians.

 

“As we prepare for this year’s flu season, allowing community pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP-funded influenza vaccines will increase vaccination rates and herd immunity to influenza within the state, preventing death and hospitalisations for those most vulnerable,” she said.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacists at breaking point with ongoing RAT shortages

Thursday 20^th January 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for patience and understanding from the general public amidst ongoing rapid antigen tests (RAT) shortages.

 

Extreme stock shortages and unprecedented demand continues to place significant strain on pharmacists and pharmacy staff.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, stressed how challenging these past few weeks have been for the pharmacy workforce as a result of RAT shortages, combined with the commencement of childhood vaccinations and the booster rollout.

 

“The holiday period is already a busy time for Australian pharmacists, and the current situation with accessibility to antigen testing is only making conditions worse.

 

“With the National Booster Program in full swing and the commencement of paediatric vaccinations last week, pharmacists have now administered over four million COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians – an amazing accomplishment!

 

“However, this ongoing predicament with RAT continues to place huge pressure on the profession.

 

“Even though the Federal Government has secured additional RAT stock, supply is still expected to be sparse until mid-February. In the meantime, our pharmacists are working around the clock to source their own supply of these tests, whilst juggling a huge number inquiries from patients about stock availability.

 

“Pharmacists are being inundated with phone calls and inquiries, which is ultimately consuming a large proportion of their time – time which would be better spent vaccinating people against the virus, and even more importantly, allowing them to focus on their core function, medicine safety. Members have reported receiving on average, four calls a minute in relation to RATs. This is simply not sustainable.

 

“Governments keep telling people to get tested – and people are trying to do the right thing – but there is still a lot of confusion in the community.

 

“PSA and other health bodies were stressing the importance of securing RAT supply and establishing effective distribution networks with government over six months ago.

 

“Antigen tests are also available and being distributed through government testing clinics, free of charge – and I implore Australians to consider these services in order to alleviate pressure on our already-stretched pharmacist workforce, until stock shortages are solved,” he said.

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Vaccine pay parity well overdue

Wednesday 19^th January 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is renewing its call for pharmacists to receive equal pay for COVID-19 vaccination services, to that received by other providers.

 

Despite the recent increase in payments for booster vaccination services, an unfair and inequitable pay disparity between immunisation providers still remains.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said that there are no more excuses to deny pay parity following record weeks of vaccination.

 

“Pharmacists have now administered over four million COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians, in another milestone achievement following record weeks of vaccinations.

 

“In the last three weeks alone, pharmacists have administered a record 1 million plus vaccinations. This is an incredible effort from all of Australia’s pharmacist immunisers, especially during a period when much of the nation was on holidays.

 

“These record statistics come on the back of a moderate increase in payments for booster vaccinations, demonstrating what can be achieved with more appropriate resourcing.

 

“It is disappointing that significant pay disparities remain, with pharmacists’ still being paid much less than other vaccination providers, like GPs, for doing the same job. Increasing remuneration by $8.45 per booster vaccine, taking the payment to $34.45 from $26, would achieve pay parity for pharmacists.

 

“Now that we’ve seen what can be achieved with better resourcing, it is time to remunerate pharmacists fairly and equally for their work.

 

“This is critical to keeping the vaccine rollout program on track, particularly in relation to childhood vaccines, where they have reverted back very low payments for pharmacists. Subsequently, only half of the pharmacy network has opted to provide immunisations to this group.

 

“Without fair and equitable remuneration for the administration of all COVID-19 vaccines, the Government risks having the paediatric vaccination program fall behind,” he said.

 

Graphs below:

(Source: Australian Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/covid-19-vaccination-daily-rollout-update)

Background

 

 

The following table shows a breakdown of the pay rates for different providers:

 

Description	Pharmacists		General Practitioners
	*MM1 Fee	*MM2-7 Fee	*MM1 Fee	*MM2-7 Fee
First Dose Administration	$16	$19	$31.05	$37.70
Second Dose and Booster Dose Administration (by same provider)	$26	$29	$34.45	$37.80
Childhood 5-11 First Dose Administration	$16	$19	$24.45	$27.80
COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment (billable once only)	Nil	Nil	$39.10	$39.10

 

Pharmacists receive a flat $26 for administering a booster vaccine, whilst GPs may be able to claim additional dose administration ($34.45), and a suitability assessment ($39.10) for a total of $63.55. This is higher for GP’s in rural areas and after hours.

 

No after-hours payments are available for pharmacists despite many providing access outside of normal business hours.

 

If all three doses and a COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment are provided by the same practitioner, in a major city, a pharmacist would receive $68, whilst a GP would receive $139.05.

 

*MMM = Modified Monash Model defines whether a location is a city, rural, remote or very remote. It measures remoteness and population size on a scale of Modified Monash (MM) category MM 1 to MM 7. MM 1 is a major city and MM 7 is very remote.*

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Additional remuneration for boosters welcomed – but unfair pay disparity remains.

Wednesday 22^nd December 2021

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement this afternoon that payments for booster vaccinations will be increased.

 

From tomorrow, 23^rd December, pharmacists will receive an additional $10 for administering booster vaccinations, taking the total fee for the full service to $26.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, lauded the announcement.

 

“This is a very welcome announcement for pharmacists who are working incredibly hard in the lead up to Christmas, ensuring their communities have timely access to booster vaccinations in addition to their usual holiday workloads.

 

“PSA has been fighting over recent months to secure additional funding for the booster program, to ensure these services do not run at a loss, and we thank the Morrison Government for finally taking action on this prior to Christmas and the New Year.

 

“Frustration amongst the pharmacist community has reached boiling point over recent weeks, with many pharmacies considering whether it is viable for them to continue to participate in the National Booster Program – potentially jeopardising the program’s delivery.

 

“Whilst we expect the increase to incentivise involvement in the National Booster Program, it is not enough. The unfair disparity in rates of remuneration for community pharmacies versus other vaccination providers still remains. PSA will continue to fight for fair and equitable remuneration in all settings in which pharmacists practice.

 

“Pharmacists have more than doubled the number of daily vaccine doses being administered since booster eligibility was shortened, with 284,559 doses administered in just the past 7 days. This is an astonishing effort.

 

A/Prof Freeman went on to discuss the management of the booster program over the next few months.

 

“It has been an incredibly challenging period for pharmacists, who are experiencing a surge in demand for COVID-19 vaccinations. This has been driven by the decision to bring forward booster doses for millions of Australians. Whilst Australia has plentiful stores of COVID-19 vaccines, there is often a delay between ordering the vaccines until they arrive into pharmacy fridges.

 

“Similarly, we have seen a surge in demand for items such as rapid antigen tests, as many consumers are wanting to take precautions before attending work or catching up with family and friends over the holidays.

 

“As the 2021 working year comes to an end for most, it is the busiest time of year for Australian pharmacists. Over this period, many pharmacies will remain open, ensuring that communities can continue to access essential medicines and health services.

 

“I echo the Prime Minister’s advice this afternoon, that we must remain calm. I ask that patients be mindful of, and respectful towards your pharmacist, as they work to provide you with care, essential medicines and health services you need.

 

“I also ask Australians to continue abiding by the current health advice, ensuring that you do not enter pharmacies if you have potential symptoms of COVID-19, wear protective masks inside and practice social distancing,” he said.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Aged care pharmacists needed to improve quality of life for aged care residents

Thursday 16^th December 2021

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is renewing its call to the Federal Government to fund pharmacists embedded into aged care facilities, to improve medicine management and overall quality of life for older Australians.

 

Older Australians living in residential aged care facilities continue to face significant threats to their health, due to harm arising from misuse or mismanagement of their medications. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified growing concerns of inappropriate medicine use in aged care facilities.

 

Pharmacists embedded into aged care facilities undertake a wide range of professional activities. Their involvement is proven to improve collaboration between health professionals; reduce medication misadventure; improve transitions of care; and address medicine-related questions and concerns from patients, particularly around medicine safety, polypharmacy and reducing chemical restraints.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, explained why aged care pharmacists are so desperately needed.

 

“Every day that a pharmacist is not working alongside aged care staff in caring for older Australians, is a day residents are in danger from medication harm.

 

“It is crucial that service providers are allowed the flexibility to determine how they secure pharmacist services. Some facilities may choose to employ a pharmacist directly, some may choose to contract pharmacists through community pharmacies, or via a third party. It can’t be a one size fits all approach as every facility is different.

 

“This approach will ensure that aged care facilities can consistently deliver a patient-centred, multidisciplinary service aimed at identifying, resolving and preventing medication-related problems.

 

“PSA has been championing pharmacists employed by aged care facilities across the ACT, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia – all of which have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents, staff and the broader health care team.

 

“PSA believes pharmacists working in this space should receive training and be accredited so that services can be delivered consistently and to the highest of standards. This has the support of the aged care sector.

 

“Now is the time for action, and for the implementation of the findings from the Royal Commission. Pharmacists are an important part of the solution to resolving medicine-related issues and improving residents’ safety and quality of life.

 

“We cannot underestimate the impact that having an on-site pharmacist will bring to the lives of residents and their families. We need pharmacists to be woven into the fabric of residential aged care,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Debbie Rigby, Chair of the Interdisciplinary Team-based Care Community of Specialty Interest, added: “It’s nearly 25 years since the first pharmacists were accredited to conduct medication management reviews, and this wealth of experience should be acknowledged and celebrated.

 

“Many accredited pharmacists working in the aged care sector feel frustrated by program rule restrictions and less than optimal collaboration with prescribers. However, many accredited pharmacists have built strong professional relationships based on trust and respect with aged care staff and GPs and know they can contribute more to quality use of medicines and medicine safety for this vulnerable population.

 

“It’s time for the role of accredited pharmacists in aged care to evolve, with funding for a more proactive presence in this space – and to support better medication management,” said Ms Rigby.

 

Background:

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
• 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.

 

The Report from the Royal Commission in to Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that the Australian Government immediately improve access to quality medication management reviews for people receiving aged care by:

 

1. allowing and funding pharmacists from 1 January 2022 to conduct reviews on entry to residential care and annually thereafter, or more often if there has been a significant change to the person receiving care’s condition or medication regimen;
2. amending the criteria for eligibility for residential medication management reviews to include people in residential respite care and transition care;
3. monitoring quality and consistency of medication management reviews.
   

The Royal Commission detailed well-known issues in medicine management – notably the use of restrictive practices which could not be justified in 90% of cases, and overuse of sedating medicines.

 

A flexible model is needed to give aged care providers and residents the best access to pharmacist-delivered care, and accreditation of pharmacists entering aged care to perform medication reviews must remain mandatory to support a high quality of care.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacists’ remuneration for COVID-19 vaccinations must be addressed

Friday 10^th December 2021

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling on Federal Government to equally remunerate pharmacists for their involvement in the national vaccination strategy.

 

As present, pharmacists are receiving $16 per booster vaccine administered, whilst other providers such as general practitioners can receive up to $63.55 – an unfair disparity for providing the same service.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, stressed that the current remuneration model for COVID-19 vaccinations simply isn’t sustainable.

 

“On Monday, paediatric vaccinations were approved by the TGA, opening up vaccination eligibility to 2.3 million Australian children. This means that extra consultation time will be required to undertake appropriate assessment and consenting, placing further strain on service sustainability.

 

“As mass vaccination hubs continue to downscale operations over the coming months and we revert to pre-pandemic primary health arrangements, responsibility will fall back on immunisation providers to cover both the 5-11s cohort as well as those eligible for their booster dose.

 

“Frustration is mounting within the profession. Our pharmacists have had enough and can no longer justify running this service at a loss.

 

“If the disparity isn’t addressed soon, I am worried we’ll see pharmacies withdrawing their involvement in the national strategy, causing further setbacks in 2022.

 

“If pharmacists are forced to withdraw from the program, pressure will fall on already-overworked GPs and other primary care providers to deliver – causing patients to delay their vaccination.

 

“As a nation that is on the verge of more widely opening up to domestic and international travel, we simply cannot afford to drop the ball on this.

 

“We need to support our frontline pharmacists so they can continue to support the Australian community,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Background

 

The following table shows a breakdown of the pay rates for different providers:

 

Description	Pharmacists		General Practitioners
	*MM1 Fee	*MM2-7 Fee	*MM1 Fee	*MM2-7 Fee
First Dose Administration	$16	$19	$31.05	$37.70
Second Dose Administration (by same provider)	$26	$29	$34.45	$37.80
Additional Dose (including third dose for immunocompromised and boosters)	$16	$19	$24.45	$27.80
COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment (billable once only)	Nil	Nil	$39.10	$39.10

 

Pharmacists receive a flat $16 for administering a booster vaccine, whilst GPs may be able to claim additional dose administration ($24.45), and a suitability assessment ($39.10) for a total of $63.55. This is higher for GP’s in rural areas and after hours.

 

No after-hours payments are available for pharmacists despite many providing access outside of normal business hours.

 

If all three doses and a COVID-19 Vaccine Suitability Assessment are provided by the same practitioner, in a major city, a pharmacist would receive $58, whilst a GP would receive $129.05.

 

*MMM = Modified Monash Model defines whether a location is a city, rural, remote or very remote. It measures remoteness and population size on a scale of Modified Monash (MM) category MM 1 to MM 7. MM 1 is a major city and MM 7 is very remote.*

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Outstanding ACT pharmacists recognised!

Friday 10^th December 2021

 

Last night at the ACT Pharmacy Awards ceremony, held at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) head office in Canberra, outstanding achievement across the Territory was recognised.

 

PSA’s ACT Branch President, Renae Beardmore, presented awards for Intern Pharmacist of the Year, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacist of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

“Since the pandemic began, Canberra had been relatively sheltered from the full brunt of this deadly disease, causing comparatively minimal disruption to our daily lives. Then, as expected, the Delta variant found its way to the Territory.

 

“In the face of adversity caused by changes to primary care delivery, ACT pharmacists rose to the challenge brilliantly – going above and beyond for their patients and the wider community.

 

“The awards recognise outstanding achievers for their contribution throughout 2021, highlighting the incredible talent that we have across the pharmacy profession.

 

“Whether it be developing and empowering the staff around them, demonstrating working collaboratively within healthcare teams, providing support and education to the next generation of pharmacists or improving medicine safety holistically – this year’s winners have exemplified pharmacy practice.

 

“I congratulate them on their success and thank them for their commitment to our profession and the ACT at large,” Ms Beardmore said.

 

This year’s award winners are as follows:

• Samantha Forge: Intern Pharmacist of the Year
• Brooke Veasey: Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
• Chris Lawler: Pharmacist of the Year
• Dr Gabrielle Cooper OAM: Lifetime Achievement Award

 

 

PSA congratulates this year’s award winners and thanks them for their service to pharmacy in the Australian Capital Territory.

 

Award winner profiles below.

 

Samantha Forge: PSA ACT Intern Pharmacist of the Year

 

Samantha has accomplished a great deal despite undertaking her internship in the middle of a pandemic. We all witnessed the relentless pace of change seen in just a short period. She took on this challenge with determination and leadership, using the opportunity to train, develop and empower the staff around her.

 

She also took on a role in managing the pharmacy’s mental health clients from the local clinic, including supporting a fortnightly clozapine clinic. Under her leadership, a collaborative model of care thrived, fostered by a collegiate approach to care from the entire team of healthcare professionals involved. This led to improvements in the safe and appropriate use of medicines for some of the area’s most vulnerable patients.

 

With a keen interest in drug formulary inventory management, this was used to refine the team’s ordering protocol and improve the accessibility of medicines for her patients despite the ongoing challenges of serious medicine shortages.

 

Brooked Veasey: PSA ACT Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

 

Brooke stepped up to take on the responsibility for all intern pharmacists and pharmacy students across their pharmacy group, including 11 sites in both the ACT and NSW.

 

As part of this, this she single-handedly set up an internal intern training course of sorts to run in parallel and complimentary to the formal intern training program. This included organising internal lectures from specialist interest pharmacists and matching up the interns with various pharmacists for practice oral exams – where she prepared the all of the content. This process has fostered a great sense of connection between interns across the group, enabling them to learn from the wider group and not only rely solely on their individual preceptor.

 

Brooke has also joined forces with a colleague in one of the NSW pharmacies and together they have taken responsibility for driving professional pharmacy services. This includes supporting all pharmacists across the group with weekly teleconferences, providing the opportunity to share and troubleshoot common issues as they arose, and to celebrate wins. This has been a big job, particularly with the enormous task of scaling the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, yet, she has owned this task with poise and confidence.

 

Chris Lawler: PSA ACT Pharmacist of the Year

 

Chris is one of ACT pharmacy’s quiet achievers.

 

He provides care and support to some of the most vulnerable people in the community, including patients accessing opioid dependency treatment and those with HIV and Hepatitis C. He has developed important clinical and patient networks and is a trusted and respected proponent of the essential role that pharmacists play in the delivery of primary care.

 

Chris and his team provide daily support to over 100 patients on opioid dependency treatment. He has a calm, kind and approachable manner which allows them to cultivate rapport that supports continuity of care, leading to both better patient outcomes and reduced risk of abuse, misuse and diversion of opioids in the broader community. He has also been working with the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy and Directions ACT for many years, mitigating the risk of overdose by providing naloxone to patients.

 

He also provides a safe place supporting patients seeking treatment or prevention of HIV and Hepatitis C. He also works closely with the local general practice, and together with local prescribers has built an effective collaborative care model which ensures that support and treatments are provided to patients in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

 

Dr Gabrielle Cooper OAM: PSA ACT Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr Cooper has demonstrated a relentless and career-long commitment to the pharmacy profession since she graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1983. After completing her internship, she commenced her career as a clinical pharmacist in Hobart, before spending almost a decade in clinical pharmacy at the Royal Canberra Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children in London and the University of Tasmania as a clinical educator.

 

Returning to Canberra in 1995, she was appointed as the Director of Pharmacy at John James Memorial Hospital. In the years to follow she was a Poisons Information Pharmacist at The Canberra Hospital and subsequently became the Director of Pharmacy at Calvary Hospital between 2002 and 2003.

 

It was during her years as a hospital pharmacist that she became well known as a motivating and inspirational teacher. She could demonstrate and instill a range of attributes including sound clinical knowledge, a passion for disease state management, problem solving, leadership, and effective communication skills.

 

Her interest in drug overdose led her to undertake a PhD in clinical toxicology. Her seminal work has been widely cited and led to changes in clinical practice such that activated charcoal in drug overdose is now used in more restricted situations.

 

Following a critical shortage of pharmacists in Canberra and the surrounding region, she transitioned from clinical practice to academia and in 2003 she established the Discipline of Pharmacy at the University of Canberra, where she remained the Head of Pharmacy and was promoted to Full Professor in 2010. She understood the value students obtain from clinical placement and was successful in securing funding to allow pharmacy students to undertake placements in what was then a novel environment – general practice.

 

In her ‘spare time’ she was also highly engaged with the profession at the local level with involvement in the PSA ACT Branch as its initial President in 2009 where she remained on the Branch Committee until 2016, serving as both ACT Branch President (twice), and as a National Board Director from 2011 to 2013.

 

Her contribution to the profession locally was also highlighted by her appointment to the ACT Pharmacy Board in 2006 until the formation of the National Pharmacy Board in 2010.

 

She was elected as Chair of the Capital Health Network in 2015, and during this time her highly regarded networking and communication skills led to the establishment of the Pharmacists in General Practice trial in the ACT.

 

And last but certainly not least, her remarkable contributions were recognised in 2017 when she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to the pharmacy sector and to tertiary education”.

 

Her elegant ability to articulate logically has made her a positive role model to students, pharmacists, healthcare workers, and policy makers alike.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463