PSA welcomes new Minister for Regional Health

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) warmly welcomes the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP as Minister for Regional Health, and extends its gratitude to the Hon Mark Coulton MP for his service in this portfolio.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, welcomed Dr Gillespie back to the portfolio and thanked Minister Coulton for his exceptional service to regional Australia.

 

“PSA congratulates Dr Gillespie on his appointment as Minister for Regional Health. His past experience in the portfolio, and as a clinician, will help drive innovation in the portfolio. PSA looks forward to working with him to improve health care and health outcomes for people in regional Australia.”

 

A/Prof Freeman went on to thank the outgoing Minister for his service.

 

“PSA acknowledges Minister Coulton’s contributions to our health system, and to the many communities in remote and rural Australia throughout his time in this portfolio – as well as his leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout. We are pleased that he will remain an active member of Federal Parliament.”

 

PSA is committed to working with the government to tackle the challenges affecting the pharmacy profession in regional Australia including addressing pharmacist workforce challenges, and equipping pharmacists to play a greater role in tackling mental health in rural and remote communities.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Palmer’s junk mail belongs in the bin

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is deeply disturbed by flyers that have been distributed to Australians this week.

 

Over recent days, Australians have been receiving mail from Clive Palmer, encouraging the public not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

A/Prof Chris Freeman, PSA National President, expressed his disgust over the material being distributed.

 

“Mr Palmer must feel quite foolish distributing this marketing material just as Australia’s largest city is on the brink of another COVID-19 outbreak. Never has there been a more inappropriate time to communicate such false and misleading messages.

 

“We are at a critical juncture in Australia’s fight against this deadly disease, and this propaganda is not only inappropriate but totally uneducated and ill-informed.

 

“This is quite literally ‘junk mail’, and I’d encourage all those who receive a flyer to recycle the paper immediately.

 

“The last person who I would be seeking medical advice from is Clive Palmer.

 

“We have two highly-effective vaccines in this country, and as they become more available, it is imperative that Australians protect themselves and those close to them by getting fully vaccinated with both doses.

 

“At present, we are trying to overcome vaccine hesitancy and complacency, this simply fuels superstition and delays achieving national immunity. I urge Australians who have concerns about receiving the vaccination to seek information from a trusted source – such as your local pharmacist or GP.

 

“As pharmacists are progressively brought on board across the country, the vaccination rollout will be expedited,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA remains dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine both safely and effectively to the public, and pharmacists around the country are on standby to support the strategy where possible.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

NSW budget commits to improving safer, more supportive care

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the NSW Government’s budget initiatives that will improve medicine safety and outcomes for patients across NSW.

 

Yesterday’s 2021-22 NSW Budget commits $37.3 million to the implementation of Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM), and $82.8 million over four years to bolster palliative care services across the state.

 

PSA has long advocated for a nationally consistent RTPM system across the country in order to reduce inappropriate medicine use and the harm it may cause. PSA NSW President, Chelsea Felkai, welcomed this commitment.

 

“RTPM will enable pharmacists to work with doctors to facilitate a patient-centred approach and will address the increase in harm resulting from inappropriate use of certain prescription medicines.

 

“We know that deaths from prescription medicines have outpaced deaths from illicit drugs in Australia, and RTPM has the potential to provide better oversight to patients prescribed with high-risk medications – reducing risk of death, overdose and dependence.”

 

PSA will work closely with the NSW government to support the effective implementation of the NSW SafeScript RTPM system.

 

PSA is also pleased to see the commitment to strengthening palliative care services. Embedding pharmacists in palliative care teams will enable timely access to core medicines, and will support end-of-life care for patients who choose to spend their last days of life in the community.

 

Despite these positive outcomes, Ms Felkai went on to say that the budget has missed the opportunity to utilise state pharmacists.

 

“Whilst there are many positive outcomes in the budget announcement, it has missed the opportunity to utilise the skills, expertise and accessibility of pharmacists to both support the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, and to help take pressure off our hospitals.

 

“This budget has significant investments in hospital upgrades, but misses the opportunity to reduce the financial impact and burden of non-urgent presentations on hospital emergency departments, which could be better managed in primary care settings.

 

“We know that seventy percent of non-urgent presentations to emergency departments occur between the hours of 9am and 7pm, during the typical business hours of a community pharmacy – and where required, can be referred to general practitioners.”

 

Ms Felkai also urged the government to activate community pharmacists as soon as possible across the state to help accelerate NSW’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

 

“We know that primary care providers are administering COVID-19 vaccinations at twice the rate of vaccination hubs, so we need to draw on the existing infrastructure and pharmacist vaccinator workforce to join our GP colleagues in getting the vaccine rolled out more efficiently.”

 

PSA is committed to working with the NSW Government to support the health and wellbeing of NSW residents and continues to advocate for optimal patient care and access to life-saving medications.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

NIP expansion to be considered in SA

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the South Australian Government’s moves to improve access to government-funded influenza vaccines.

 

The Marshall Government has established an expert advisory group to assess the expansion of National Immunisation Program (NIP) flu vaccines for those aged over 65 years through community pharmacies.

 

PSA SA President, Robyn Johns, said that creating more opportunities for pharmacists will improve the health and wellness of South Australians.

 

“We are delighted that the Marshall Government has established the Community Pharmacy NIP Access Advisory Group and PSA has long advocated for national uniformity in allowing authorised pharmacist immunisers to access NIP-funded vaccines.”

 

“Allowing community pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP influenza vaccines will increase vaccination rates and herd immunity to influenza within the state, preventing death and hospitalisations in those aged over 65 years.”

 

“As it stands, community pharmacies cannot provide their patients with NIP-funded flu vaccines, and for people over the age of 65, NIP is the only way to access the best influenza vaccine for this population.”

 

“This is an incredibly frustrating experience for both patients and pharmacists and we are glad to see that the Marshall Government is taking a step in the right direction.”

 

“NIP-funded influenza vaccines can be administered by authorised pharmacists in the ACT, Victoria and Western Australia under certain conditions, with NSW the latest jurisdiction to approve this from the 2022 influenza season – it is also backed by the Tasmanian Government.”

 

“When it comes to government-funded vaccines, pharmacists are well aware of their obligation to inform and refer people who are eligible to a NIP provider, most often a GP, this includes those aged 65 years and over.”

 

“Pharmacists are a critical part of the vaccination workforce. It is time to align the funding and regulation of pharmacist-administered vaccinations with that of all other authorised immunisers.” Ms Johns said.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the South Australian Government to improve accessibility to the seasonal influenza vaccine, ultimately improving access to vulnerable Australians.

 

PSA calls for all NIP-eligible patients with serious health conditions to be able to access NIP vaccines through community pharmacies.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

South Australian community pharmacists to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is pleased community pharmacists in regional SA will finally able to participate in the vaccination strategy, following Premier Marshall’s announcement that nearly 100 pharmacies will be activated in rural and remote South Australia this morning.

 

PSA has been working with the SA state government to secure pharmacist involvement in the COVID-19 roll out in recent months and is delighted with today’s announcement.

 

PSA continues to work with other state and territory governments and understands similar announcements in many other jurisdictions are imminent.

 

Robyn Johns, PSA SA Branch President, said that this is the outcome that many rural communities in SA have been waiting for.

 

“We are delighted that community pharmacists in regional SA will finally be able to play their part in protecting their communities against this dreadful disease.”

 

“PSA has been advocating for pharmacists in the community to join the pharmacists who are already contributing in hospitals and vaccination hubs.”

 

“As Australia’s most accessible healthcare workforce, bringing community pharmacists on-board will expedite completion of the rollout; protecting more people sooner.”

 

“With the recent changes to the storage requirements for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and evolution of health advice for priority populations, all vaccine providers – including community pharmacists – must be able to support all patients by administering the most appropriate vaccine for them.”

 

PSA is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine both safely and effectively to the public, and pharmacists in the remaining jurisdictions are on standby to support the strategy.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Expanding access to oral contraceptives does not pose risk to patient safety

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) strongly refutes assertions that expanding access to the oral contraceptive pill presents a risk to patient safety.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said that the AMA’s claims appear to be deliberately deceptive.

 

“Pharmacists can currently dispense oral contraceptives without a script, under continued dispensing arrangements. This means that if a patient has previously had a valid script from a general practitioner dispensed within the last six months, their pharmacists can provide a full manufacturers pack, which is generally a four month supply.”

 

“In the past, the AMA has strongly opposed continued dispensing arrangements for the same hollow reason that they now want to restrict women’s access to the oral contraceptive pill.”

 

“During COVID-19 pandemic, the continued dispensing arrangements were expanded so that Australians would not go without their life saving medicines. Through this measure, pharmacists have prevented death and serious morbidity by simply continuing medicines that have already been prescribed by the patient’s doctor.”

 

“The application is simply just an extension of the expanded continued dispensing arrangements. The closed-minded approach by the AMA negates access to contraception for Australians, it is nothing more than a turf war, shielded by an apparent patient safety debate.”

 

“PSA strongly supports pharmacists’ ability to dispense the oral contraceptive pill where it has been previously prescribed by a general practitioner, and where the pharmacist has met the necessary accreditation, training and professional practice requirements.”

 

“Pharmacists are not suggesting that taking the oral contraceptive is without risks. Pharmacists, as medicine experts, want to ensure safe and timely access to care and are well-placed to advise patients of the potential risks.”

 

“PSA supports lowering barriers to access for Australian women. It’s not about taking away access to general practice – far from it, and GPs will always be there for women seeking an appointment. We need to work together to provide better access to care for more women when they need it.” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Inability to access oral contraceptives can have life-changing consequences for patients and PSA will continue to advocate for improved access to such medicines.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacists recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates pharmacists recognised in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours announcement – from New South Wales: Associate Professor Faye McMillan; from South Australia: Mr Donald Burge; and from Queensland; Mr Brenley Milsom.

 

Associate Professor Faye McMillan was recognised as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Indigenous mental health, and to tertiary education.

 

Mr Donald Raymond Burge and Mr Brenley McMillan Milsom awarded Medal (OAM) of the order of Australia in the General Division, both for service to their communities.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said it was great to see pharmacists being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, all who have made significant contributions to the profession and their communities.

 

“As Australia’s first registered pharmacist who identifies as Aboriginal, Associate Professor Faye McMillan has been an exemplar for the pharmacy profession for many years. Faye has already had an illustrious career and her appointment as the Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner in March this year was seen as a pivotal moment in the better utilisation of the workforce in rural and remote Australia.”

 

“Faye is an outstanding pharmacist; I congratulate her on her AM and look forward to working with her in her role as the Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner to better utilise the network of pharmacists in rural and remote Australia.”

 

“Mr Burge has made significant contributions to his community not only as a pharmacist and community pharmacy owner, but through his lifelong contributions to the Lions Club.”

 

“Mr Milsom contribution has been diverse as a registered pharmacist, visiting lecturer at Griffith University School of Pharmacy, as Secretary of the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee for the TGA and countless community organisations.”

 

“I congratulate all of today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours recipients and thank them for their ongoing service to the pharmacy profession and their local communities.”

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes investment into research to reduce medication harm

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of $11.7 million in funding for research into medicines safety and quality use of medicines.

 

Today’s announcement is the first round of grants to be delivered under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), agreed with the Federal Government and PSA last year as part of the Health Minister’s commitment to progress Medicine Safety as a National Health Priority Area.

 

Grants will enable recipients to target medication-related harm and the safe use of medicines in the community. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, applauded the announcement and said research undertaken through this grant funding is an important step to improving the health of Australians through medicine safety.

 

“The intended outcome of the research grant opportunity is to reduce the amount of medicine-related harm in the community and help promote the safe and effective use of medicines,” he said.

 

“This is on the back of PSA’s seminal Medicine Safety: Take Care report which estimates that 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year and another 400,000 present to emergency departments as a result of medication error, misuse and misadventure, costing Australia $1.4 billion in hospital admissions.”

 

“Pharmacists, as the custodians of medicine safety, must play a key role in order to reduce the medication misadventure in Australia. Today’s announcement is a critical first step in the right direction.”

 

“PSA congratulates today’s recipients and looks forward to working with both current and future applicants and the wider research community to tackle the challenges of reducing medicine-related harm in Australia,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Diversity, equality and continuity of leadership

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) Board Elect met yesterday to elect Board leadership positions.

 

As a result of the recent PSA elections, more than half of the PSA Board are now women, with Directors also representing diversity in age and cultural backgrounds.

 

With experience in community pharmacy, academia and research, hospital pharmacy, general practice and interdisciplinary care, and the pharmaceutical industry this highly skilled and capable Board has been appointed to represent the profession.

 

The Board Elect’s first decision has been to re-appoint Associate Professor Chris Freeman as PSA National President. Under Chris’ leadership, he has helped to steer the profession through the pandemic while PSA continues to go from strength to strength.

 

Michelle Lynch and Renae Beardmore will also continue in their roles as PSA Vice Presidents. Michelle has been the chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee of the PSA, and through her leadership, has embedded robust financial oversight of the Society.

 

Renae, as the chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee has driven PSA’s policy and advocacy contribution to the profession, while also focused on ensuring the best possible implementation of the 7^th Community Pharmacy Agreement.

 

The Board would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of retiring directors Joe Demarte, Lauren Burton, Peter Carroll, and Chris Shenton who have each shown an unwavering dedication to PSA members and the profession as a whole.

 

The Board has committed to remain focused on PSA’s strategy to achieving pharmacist scope of practice fulfillment, improved pharmacist remuneration and conditions, and better recognition for pharmacists’ contribution to patient care.

 

Board members will officially take office from 1 July 2021.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Nicotine vaping product access changes coming

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is urging all pharmacists to be aware of regulatory changes to nicotine vaping, which come into effect on 1 October 2021.

 

Changes to the scheduling of nicotine as a prescription-only medicine will mean liquid nicotine, commonly used in vaping, can only be legally supplied domestically by a pharmacist upon presentation of a prescription and evidence of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval (under the Special Access Scheme B or Authorised Prescriber Scheme).

 

In preparation, PSA is developing guidelines to support pharmacists in procuring and dispensing unregistered nicotine vaping products on prescription for people for whom they have been prescribed.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, encourages pharmacists to prepare to manage these changes and support more than 200,000 Australians estimated to be using vaporised nicotine.

 

“Liquid nicotine is not currently available through the pharmaceutical supply chain. As an unapproved product, pharmacists will need to have clear processes in place to ensure liquid nicotine supplied on prescription and in accordance with the TGA’s approval, complies with the TGA’s product standard for unapproved vaping products, Therapeutic Goods Order 110. The standard includes requirements related to labelling (e.g. warnings and nicotine content), packaging (child resistant closures), ingredients and contaminants.”

 

“While evidence is still emerging to support the use of vaporised nicotine in smoking cessation or harm minimisation, these changes are coming and pharmacists will be there to support patients who present with prescriptions.”

 

“Given the significance of changes to the regulation of nicotine and the high number of people currently using vaporised nicotine, it is essential that pharmacists are guided with appropriate resources including clinical guidelines and practice support tools to assist their patients.”

 

PSA acknowledges the TGA’s work to date in establishing standards and draft guidance to help clarify the safety and quality requirements for such products.

 

“Regulators around the world are rightly cautious on the risks and benefits of inhaled nicotine delivered via electronic cigarettes. Vaping is largely unregulated and overseas its uptake has been largely driven by the tobacco industry,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“The TGA has taken appropriate steps to reduce the risk of harm to people currently using vaping products, but a fundamental problem remains – we don’t know how dangerous or how useful they will be in the long-term.”

 

“Pharmacists will need to do what they are trained to do, putting their patient’s health first and helping those willing to quit do so in the safest and most effective way possible.”

 

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463