Continued dispensing arrangements extended

Wednesday July 1

The Federal Government has announced from today it will extend the temporary Continued Dispensing Emergency Measures until at least 30 September 2020, allowing Australians to continue to access essential medicines at PBS prices if their prescription has run out.

Medicines supplied under this arrangement must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the announcement and once again urged the Government to make continued dispensing arrangements permanent.

“This is a commonsense decision by the Federal Government with COVID-19 still posing a considerable risk in many parts of Australia,” he said.

“While the extension of the continued dispensing emergency arrangements is pleasing, PSA will continue to call for emergency supply provisions of this nature to be made standard practice.

“It is important that patients requiring chronic therapy are supported in emergency situations and can continue to receive their medication.

“All Australians for that matter need to be confident they can access vital medicines when faced with an emergency or disaster.”

A/Prof Freeman said PSA has been working with the Government to ensure all Australians can access essential medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will continue to work with Federal, State and Territory Governments during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to implement nationally consistent emergency supply provisions.”

“As front line health professionals, it is important that pharmacists have the necessary tools to ensure they can meet the health care needs of their patients and the community in a timely manner.”

Media contact: 0487 922 176

Improved access to important medicines in QLD

Thursday 25 June 2020

Queenslanders will now have improved access to oral contraceptives and medicinal cannabis following legislative amendments made by the Queensland Government.

While women have been able to access a supply of PBS subsidised oral contraceptive without a valid repeat prescription since 2012, this amendment will provide access to non-PBS subsidised brands of oral contraceptives.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Queensland Branch President Shane MacDonald welcomed the amendment that will help address the inequity of access to oral contraceptives.

“Enabling the supply of all brands of oral contraceptives to women, under similar circumstances to those stipulated in the PBS Continued Dispensing Determination is a common sense approach by the Queensland Government, he said.

“It is important that women in Queensland are able to access the brand of oral contraceptive they require when there is an immediate need for the supply to allow for continued treatment.”

The Queensland Government also announced it has made an amendment allowing all Queensland medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 and schedule 4 medicinal cannabis without the requirement to have a Queensland Health approval.

Previously, only specialist medical practitioners were able to prescribe these medicines without first applying for Queensland Health approval.

Mr MacDonald said this amendment will remove duplication in the approval process and simplify prescribing of medicinal cannabis.

“Decreasing the administrative burden and improving access to medicinal cannabis is an important step to ensure patients continue to access cannabis products legally,” he said.

“Any process that removes red tape and allows pharmacists and prescribers to focus on clinical care and medication safety, ultimately leads to better outcomes for patients and more efficient use of resource.

Approval from Queensland Health is still required when prescribing a schedule 8 medicinal cannabis product for a drug dependent person and the usual approval process for prescribing controlled drugs applies.

Media contact: PSA Queensland Branch President: Chris Campbell 0422 845 836

PSA Queensland Branch elect new leadership team

Friday 19 June 2020

Townsville based pharmacist Shane MacDonald has been elected as Queensland Branch President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

Mr MacDonald, an early career pharmacist has been a pharmacist manager for over seven years, supporting the needs of his community and has served on the PSA Queensland Branch Committee since 2017.

Mr MacDonald is a member of the Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) working group where he was the chair for two years, helping give ECP’s a voice throughout the Queensland region.

Throughout his many roles including as a panel member at the Queensland Annual Therapeutic Update speaking on PSA’s Pharmacists in 2023, Mr MacDonald has been a stern advocate for the profession at a local, state and federal level, meeting with community stake holders, local MP’s and the Prime Minister.

Mr MacDonald said it was an honour to be elected as Queensland Branch President.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the committee, key stakeholders and pharmacists in Queensland,” he said.

“I am very passionate about our profession and to be extending on the good work of the committee is a privilege.

“It is a very exciting time to be a pharmacist particularly in Queensland and I look forward to advocating and working on behalf of pharmacists in the region.”

Mr MacDonald also paid tribute to the elected Vice Presidents, Sue Carson and Dr Esther Lau.

“Sue has over 30 years of experience as a pharmacist working in hospitals and community pharmacies and has done a terrific job as acting president over the last few months,” he said.

“Sue was also a lecturer to pharmacy students at James Cook University for 14 years before relocating to Brisbane, and recently became involved with Community Transition Care at Metro North Hospital and Health Service supporting patients leaving the acute care setting to transition to their home.

“Esther has a tremendous amount of experience and is course coordinator in the discipline of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Sciences at QUT and will also bring so much to the role as Vice President.

“She has been involved in important programs such as the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot and now the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot.

“I congratulate both Sue and Esther on their appointments and I am very lucky to be working with two highly skilled and knowledgeable pharmacists.”

Media contact: Queensland Branch Manager Chris Campbell: 0422 845 836

Leadership for the future: PSA elects its 2020-21 Leaders

Thursday 18 June 2020

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National Board has re-elected Associate Professor Chris Freeman as National President of the peak body for pharmacists.

The PSA National Board also re-appointed Board Director and Victorian Branch member Michelle Lynch and appointed PSA board director and ACT Branch president Renae Beardmore as Vice Presidents.

A/Prof Freeman, who was first appointed President in December 2018, said it was an honour to be re‑elected as National President and to be leading an experienced Executive Committee as PSA works to advocate on behalf of all Australian Pharmacists.

“I have been so proud of the way pharmacists have adapted, innovated and cared for their patients and communities during the recent bushfires and COVID-9 pandemic, and it is a privilege to be able to continue in this role.” he said.

“While there are challenges facing the profession there are also some great opportunities and I am looking forward to helping our members grasp these opportunities to build their professional careers, while also improving the health of Australians.

“For the first time in 30 years PSA is a signatory in the Community Pharmacy Agreement, our advocacy and policy work will continue as we focus on extending support for the recommendations in our Pharmacists in 2023 action plan and medicine safety reports.

A/Prof Freeman also paid tribute to the elected Vice Presidents, Victorian pharmacist Michelle Lynch and Canberra pharmacist Renae Beardmore.

“I congratulate both Michelle and Renae on their appointments and I am thrilled to be working with two very talented pharmacists and health professionals.

“Michelle joined the PSA Board in 2014 and has extensive experience as a community and private hospital pharmacist and health care consultancy, specialising in medication management and pharmacy services, as well as being a previous President of the Victorian branch.

“Renae brings over 30 years of experience working in health from public health policy through to patient care as a community pharmacist.

“As President of the ACT Branch, Renae will be a big asset and bring plenty to the role as National Vice President and I am delighted to see her elected in this position.”

Media contact: 0487 922 176

7th Community Pharmacy Agreement to support the safe and quality use of medicines for all Australians

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the signing of the 7^th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) which delivers $1.2B ongoing funding for patient-focused pharmacy programs that will provide greater access to pharmacists and support the safe and quality use of medicines for all Australians.

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the 7CPA will deliver increased investment where it is needed most, including for people living in rural, regional and remote areas, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Importantly, the recent changes to medicines management programs to enable a cycle of care approach, including patient follow-up, will be maintained to support quality and safe use of medicines, particularly for older Australians.

A/Prof Freeman said the agreement provided certainty around medication management programs which would enable pharmacists to help solve the issue of medication-related harm in Australia, that costs the economy $1.4 billion annually.

“This agreement is an increase of $100 million on expenditure for professional programs under the previous agreement,” he said.

“PSA fought incredibly hard to represent pharmacists in this agreement. This was a particularly difficult agreement to negotiate, given the likely impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“This is a forward-looking agreement, flexible in its approach. It provides an opportunity for the implementation of significant policy reforms, particularly in the areas of aged care and mental health that will have a direct impact on patient health outcomes

“This agreement also supports the uptake of electronic prescribing to enable safer and more efficient use and supply of medicines by pharmacists while supporting patient choice and ensuring their privacy is maintained.”

For the first time, PSA is a signatory to the Community Pharmacy Agreement and remains the custodian for the Code of Ethics, National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists, Professional Practice Standards and practice guidelines governing the professional practice of pharmacists in Australia.

“This will enable PSA to shape professional practice standards and raise the bar of professional pharmacist practice in Australia,” A/Prof Freeman said.

“PSA’s role in negotiations will achieve genuine and positive outcomes over the term of the agreement, support the vital role of pharmacists in primary care and enable them to practice to full scope, delivering better health outcomes for their patients.

“PSA would like to thank the Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt, who recognised our status as the peak body for pharmacists and custodian of professional practice and included us as a signatory to the Community Pharmacy Agreement for the first time.

“We would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the Commonwealth Department of Health and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.”

A/Prof Freeman said PSA would continue to work with Minister Hunt, the Department of Health, and the Pharmacy Guild on a number of additional funding measures for consumers so that pharmacists can realise their potential as part of the wider health care team.

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

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Three pharmacists recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Monday 8 June 2020

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates three pharmacists recognised in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours announcement – from Victoria: William (Bill) Scott and Melvyn Blachford; and from Western Australia Michael Dillon.

Michael Dillon along with Bill Scott have been honoured as Members of the Order of Australia (AM) with Mr Dillon recognised for significant services to the pharmacy profession, and to the community and Mr Scott recognised for significant service to the pharmacy profession at the state and national level.

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said it was great to see pharmacists being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours particularly after the great work the profession has displayed during the COVID-19 pandemic and bushfires.

“Bill is a respected member of the profession and a staunch advocate for community pharmacy, including his role as a pivotal panel member for the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation,” he said.

“Michael has also served the pharmacy profession over a number of years having been a partner of Pharmacy 777 since 1968.

“It is pleasing to see both Bill, a PSA Life Member and Michael, a PSA Fellow recognised for their dedication and commitment to the pharmacy profession and the health of their communities.”

PSA Life Fellow Melvyn Blachford has also been recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the pharmacy profession, and to jazz music.

“Melvyn is a former Victorian state facilitator for the Home Medicines Review Program and a former president of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria,” said Associate Professor Freeman.

“Not only has Melvyn been recognised for his devoted years of service to pharmacy but also for his passion as a volunteer for the Australian Jazz Museum as collections manager.

“I sincerely 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.”

Media contact: 0487 922 176

NT community better protected by removing barriers to vaccination by pharmacists

Friday June 5 2020

Those most vulnerable in the Northern Territory (NT) will now be better protected following an announcement by the NT Government today to allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations outside of a community pharmacy.

In a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), pharmacists are now able to provide vaccinations in places such as residential aged care settings, Aboriginal Medical Services, private and public hospitals as well as community pharmacies.

PSA SA/NT Branch President Robyn Johns congratulated the NT Government for this announcement that will ensure pharmacists can vaccinate more people, particularly those most vulnerable in our society against preventable diseases such as influenza.

“This announcement means people who have difficulty accessing vaccinations, particularly those who may be housebound due to COVID-19 or residents of aged care facilities can now be provided much needed vaccines,” she said.

“This year we have seen a particularly large uptake from people, including those in the Northern Territory accessing the influenza vaccine and pharmacists continue to play a key role in keeping the community safe.

“PSA has advocated and worked with the NT Government for many years to improve access to vaccinations to protect the community and this announcement will go a long way in boosting vaccination rates across the territory.”

The Government also announced that influenza vaccinations can now be administered by pharmacists to children aged 10 years and older (previously 16 years), also helping increase the vaccination rates across the territory.

Ms Johns said PSA members have experienced frustrations from parents in recent influenza seasons where it was difficult to arrange access for their children to get their influenza vaccine.

“Pharmacists are the most accessible to the community than any other health provider and are well trained in the administration of these vaccines,” she said.

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, we will continue to work closely with the Northern Territory Government to allow pharmacists to remove more barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to protect the NT community.

Media contact: PSA SA/NT State Manager Helen Stone: 0418 846 426

Chelsea Felkai elected PSA NSW Branch President

Thursday 4 June 2020

Newcastle based community pharmacist Chelsea Felkai has been elected as New South Wales (NSW) Branch President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

Ms Felkai, an early career pharmacist locums in community pharmacy and is currently undertaking a PhD and teaches at the University of Newcastle.

Ms Felkai is the third female to be elected as President in the history of the PSA in NSW, with the last female president, Pam Loveridge, elected over 25 years ago in 1994-1995.

A vocal advocate for the expansion of pharmacists’ roles, particularly those that support medicines safety, Ms Felkai is also the past chair of the NSW Early Career Pharmacist working group.

Her contributions extend to the development of online education in prescription medicine safety, harm minimisation and recent publications in the Australian Pharmacist in clinical and industry areas. She is also a representative on the NSW Poison’s Advisory Committee.

Ms Felkai said she has a strong interest working closely with key stakeholders at both state and local levels to ensure pharmacists are included in funding and training arrangements, as well as ensuring pharmacists have greater input into healthcare considerations.

“I have always been passionate about pharmacists being recognised and utilised to their full potential in health care, as well as working across various settings,” she said.

“I look forward to being able to make a positive impact and working closely with the committee, pharmacists and key organisations in NSW.”

With her role as NSW Branch President to begin from July 1 2020, outgoing president Professor Peter Carroll has been elected as the NSW Board Appointed PSA director.

Ms Felkai acknowledged the fine work of her predecessor Professor Carroll.

“Over the past three years, Peter has raised the profile of the PSA in NSW and driven many successful initiatives, such as the expansion of vaccination,” she said.

“He has developed strong working relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, government officials, and professional pharmacy colleagues such as the Pharmacy Guild in NSW.”

“I intend to further this important work and look forward to working with the NSW Ministry of Health to facilitate pharmacists’ involvement in key health areas to provide better outcomes for the NSW community.”

The NSW branch also elected Krysti-Lee Rigby and Peter Carroll as Vice Presidents.

Media contact: PSA NSW State Manager: Simone Diamandis: 0414 574 754

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