Team approach to patient care a win for all

Friday, 31 January 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes changes to the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) which come into effect tomorrow and are designed to increase consumer access to an expanded primary care team of experts committed to improving every patient’s health.

 

“For the first time, pharmacists will be included as one of the allied health professionals general practices can engage through the Workforce Incentive Program,” PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said.

 

“Research shows integrating a pharmacist into the primary care team can improve health outcomes for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease; and reduce medicine-related problems, total number of medicines and inappropriately prescribed medicines.”

 

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has also welcomed the changes, with RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon noting “This is a positive development. The RACGP values team-based models of care in which a range of healthcare professionals can contribute towards patient health outcomes, maximising use of their skills within their scope of practice.”

 

While PSA commends the Commonwealth for supporting general practices to employ pharmacists, it is concerned the funding cap will limit practices’ ability to do so.

 

In its recent Federal Budget submission, PSA called for the value of the WIP per Standardised Whole Patient Equivalent and the upper limit cap on larger general practices to both be increased by 50 per cent.

 

“We estimate integrating pharmacists into general practice would yield a net saving of $544.87 million to the health system over four years,” A/Prof Freeman revealed.

 

“In the meantime, PSA would encourage general practices and pharmacists to consider the opportunity the current expansion of the WIP creates and consider how they can work together to improve health outcomes in their local community.”

 

PSA recommends that all pharmacists who want to work in general practice complete the PSA General Practice Pharmacist: Foundation Stage Training Program as a minimum training requirement.

 

A general practice pharmacist works collaboratively with GPs and other health professionals to support the quality use of medicines. The role is complementary to the role of pharmacists working in other settings. PSA’s training program has modules on working with other health professionals as well as a module on collaborating with community pharmacists.

 

 

“Over 150 pharmacists have completed general practice pharmacist training through PSA. This provides a skilled and willing cohort of medicine experts ready and able to be part of the general practice team,” A/Prof Freeman said. “This is a great start and we look forward to growing this workforce in the future.”

 

PSA also provides a wide range of practice support tools including the Guidelines for General Practice Pharmacists, activity checklists and needs assessment for General Practice Pharmacists.

 

General practice pharmacist Katja Naunton-Boom has seen the impact an expanded care team has on patient health: Patients have access to multiple health professional in one visit; for example, seeing the nurse for a care plan or health assessment; then seeing the pharmacist to review their medication, check for interactions, side effects, check if doses are correct check if they still need all the medication, write a medication list; then discuss the recommendations with the nurse and the doctor. Any changes needed can be made on the spot. I can then explain any changes to the patient. I can communicate with their usual community pharmacy and if necessary, follow up over the telephone to see how the patient is going after the changes are made.

 

 

Originally employed by a general practice as part of a trial, the response from patients, doctors and other health professionals to Katja’s engagement in the care team was so positive the practice continued the role.

 

“It is great to see pharmacists in general practice recognised as part of the WIP. It is certainly a step in the right direction but I do think more funding is needed so that a pharmacist and a nurse can be employed by a GP practice,” Mrs Naunton-Boom said.

 

Further information about training and other practice support for pharmacists working in general practice can be found at www.psa.org.au/gppharmacist.

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

Patients to benefit with funding to expand pharmacists role

Wednesday, 29 January 2020

 

Lives will be saved and health outcomes improved through fully using the expertise and accessibility of Australia’s pharmacists, providing a positive return on investment, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has emphasised in its 2020-21 Federal Budget Submission.

 

“Accessibility to health care is a major challenge in this country,” National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said. “Some members of our community do not get the health care they need and deserve. As our population ages and the number of people with chronic conditions continues to rise, we need to be innovative and use our resources efficiently.

 

“Our healthcare system will benefit from improvements to patients’ health and wellbeing through the better use of pharmacists’ knowledge and expertise. Older Australians, particularly those in aged care, rely on medicines as part of their treatment but are particularly vulnerable to medicine-related harm. Ninety eight per cent of aged care residents have at least one medication related problem.

 

“Over half of aged care residents are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine. What we know from the Aged Care Royal Commission interim report is that this is often a sedative or psychotropic medicine that can make them drowsy and more likely to experience a harm. It has been estimated the use of psychotropic medicines in aged care is only clearly justified in about 10 per cent of cases.”

 

PSA is seeking resources and support to enable pharmacists working in aged care to improve the safer use of medicines for patients. Funding of $8.7 million over four years would establish a Medicine Safety in Aged Care Resources and Support program which would develop, disseminate, implement and evaluate evidence-based resources for aged care facilities and reduce the current reliance on high-risk medicines.

 

Associate Professor Freeman said Australians living in rural and remote parts of the country were one of the main groups to struggle with health care accessibility, many having to travel great distances to see a GP or go to hospital. Rural and remote patients tend to turn to their pharmacist, who are often the only health care provider in a community.

 

“It has been very clear during the recent bushfire emergency the role of rural pharmacists and their willingness to step up in times of need. We want to be able to support our rural pharmacists to do more to be able to help their communities,” he said.

 

“Investing in a Rural Pharmacy Enhanced Services Program will help keep pharmacists in the bush and support delivery of services such as smoking cessation, chronic disease management, health screening, wound care and mental health triage and referral.”

 

The use of opioid medicines in Australia has increased dramatically in recent decades associated with increasing use in the management of chronic pain and post-surgical pain.

 

“Tragically, over three Australians die each day from opioid overdose, the majority involving the use of pharmaceutical opioids,” Associate Professor Freeman said. “Between 2007 and 2016, the rate of opioid deaths rose by 62 per cent. In 2016-17, 15.4 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed under the PBS to 3.1 million Australians.”

 
“A collaborative opioid stewardship program, actively supported by pharmacists, will allow us to improve, monitor and evaluate opioid use and increase safety and effectiveness of opioid use and pain management in primary care.”

 

The Commonwealth Government’s Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) strengthens multidisciplinary primary care by supporting general practices to engage allied health professionals including non-dispensing pharmacists.

 

“Pharmacists in primary care make a difference by providing advice and education on medicine safety and quality use of medicines and reducing the risk of medicine problems as patients transition between care providers,” Assoc Prof Freeman explained.

 

“PSA would like this valuable program expanded further. Integrating pharmacists into general practice is expected to yield a net saving of $544.87 million to the health system over four years.”

 

PSA also proposes establishing the role of Chief Pharmacist within the Australian Government Department of Health. The Chief Pharmacist would provide direction and high-level advice on all pharmacy and medicines issues and complement the work of the Chief Medical Officer.

 

A full copy of the PSA Federal Budget Submission is available here.

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

QUT takes PSOTY Wildcard 2020 at NAPSA Congress

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Melinda James of Queensland University of Technology (Queensland) for securing the Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Wildcard title at NAPSA Congress in Newcastle.

 

The PSOTY Wildcard final was fiercely contested amongst a group of talented students across Australia, including:

• JOSHUA CLEMENTS – GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY (Queensland)
• KURTIS GRAY – UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Western Australia)
• MADELINE HILLS – UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Western Australia)
• MELINDA JAMES – QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (Queensland)
• MAEGAN JOHNSON – LATROBE UNIVERSITY (Victoria)
• ANTONI UKALOVIC – CURTIN UNIVERSITY (Western Australia)

 

Proudly supported by Mylan, the Pharmacy Student of the Year counselling competition recognises pharmacy students by showcasing their counselling skills to the pharmacy profession. Students are given the opportunity to utilise their clinical knowledge and implement their counselling skills using real life pharmacy scenarios.

 

“It is refreshing to see such capable and passionate students in this competition that are the future of pharmacy”, PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said. “Active listening, gaining adequate patient insights and checking patient understanding are important skills that support medicines safety and maximise patient outcomes”.

 

Melinda James as the PSOTY Wildcard winner will travel to the PSA20 National Conference held in Sydney from 31st July – 2nd August 2020, to compete for the national title of Pharmacy Student of the Year 2020.

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

 

Download media release

 

PSA congratulates pharmacists honoured on Australia Day

Sunday, 27 January 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates pharmacists and Life Members Emeritus Professor Bruce Sunderland, Mrs Jocelyn Watson and Mr Maxwell Page on their Australia Day Honours.

 

“Each pharmacist recognised on Australia Day represents the contribution members of our profession make to their local communities, and more broadly, each and every day,” PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said.

 

Emeritus Professor Bruce Sunderland (Western Australia) was awarded Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for his significant service to education, particularly to pharmacy. Emeritus Professor Sunderland, a Life Fellow of the PSA has had a distinguished career at Curtin University in Western Australia commencing in 1968. He taught more than a generation of pharmacists in Western Australia and his publications and teachings have heavily impacted the profession of pharmacy.

 

PSA acknowledges the lifetime activities of Emeritus Professor Sunderland in his significant academic and practice roles and the work that he has done as an editorial board member of the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook.

 

Mrs Jocelyn Watson (Tasmania) was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Launceston. A long serving member of many community groups, Mrs Watson has also had an impactful career in pharmacy. A mentor for many younger pharmacists, with many numerous roles in pharmacy including with the former Pharmacy Board of Tasmania, she has contributed immensely to professional pharmacy practice within Tasmania.

 

Mr Maxwell Page (Western Australia), a PSA Life Member, has been awarded the honour of Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts in Western Australia. Mr Page has been a pharmacist, a member of the PSA and has made significant contribution to pharmacy education in WA as a lecturer at Curtin University School of Pharmacy for over 40 years.

 

“I congratulate Bruce, Jocelyn and Max for their commitment to pharmacy and improving health care in this country,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“Our pharmacists give generously of their expertise, time and support – often behind the scenes and without expectation of anything in return. It is heartwarming to today see these leading members of our profession publicly thanked on the national stage and providing inspiration to others.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

Importance of medicine safety in mental health care cannot be ignored

Engaging pharmacists in the delivery of mental health care in Australia will lead to earlier intervention, improved treatment outcomes and a reduction in medication harms, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has argued in its response to the Productivity Commission’s Draft Report on Mental Health.

 

“Almost half of all Australians will experience mental ill-health during their lifetime. Tragically, thousands of people lose their life to suicide each year and it is estimated that for every death from intentional self-harm, as many as 30 people attempt to end their lives. This is a health crisis that touches us all and, as the Productivity Commission highlighted, we can do a lot better when it comes to providing care,” Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said.

 

“Medicines are a major treatment modality in most mental illnesses so it is disappointing the Productivity Commission report failed to question how we can improve medication efficacy and safety,” A/Prof Freeman said. “Utilising the medicine expertise of pharmacists in the multidisciplinary care team, tailoring medication therapies and reviewing patient’s medication management can positively impact adherence, effectiveness of medicines prescribed and safe use of medicines.”

 

“Access to health care is vital for people dealing with mental health illness, yet there are a range of barriers that can limit people’s access to a general practitioner. With the majority of Australians visiting their pharmacist around 14 times a year, our profession can help care for and triage patients experiencing mental ill-health or a mental health crisis.”

 

Research released last year found 85 per cent of pharmacists had interacted with someone at risk of suicide at least once and 10 per cent have interacted with someone at risk of suicide more than 10 times.

 

“Enabling pharmacists to recognise potential signs and symptoms of mental ill-health, support patients and refer on to GPs or emergency care, has the potential to not only improve outcomes, but potentially save lives,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“We have called on governments across the nation to provide funding to increase pharmacist mental health first aid training and reiterated this recommendation in our response to the Productivity Commission.

“PSA does not believe we can address mental health challenges without considering quality use of medicines (QUM) and hopes the Productivity Commission’s final report will tackle this vital issue.”

 

The Pharmaceutical Society made five key recommendations to the Productivity Commission:

1. Develop and implement regular review of medicines for people with mental ill health to reduce the time to respond to medicine-related problems and to reduce debilitating side effects from medicines which can be preventable.
2. Incorporate pharmacogenomic testing in primary care supported by medicines expertise of pharmacists for people with mental ill health to personalise medicine therapies to improve the safe and quality use of medicines.
3. Integrate pharmacists in suicide prevention strategies, including supporting pharmacists in their triage role of providing support to people they encounter in mental health crisis situations.
4. Support pharmacists, who are often one of the only front-line healthcare providers in rural and remote regions to incorporate early identification, triage and support for people with mental ill health.
5. Ensure pharmacists, as frontline health professionals in contact with people with mental ill health, have the required expertise such as mental health first aid, to support early identification, triage and support for people with mental ill health.

 

Click here for a full copy of the submission

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

 

Download media release here

Utilise pharmacists to improve health care in NSW

South Australian government announces improved emergency access to medicines for people affected by bushfires

Tuesday, 14 January 2020

 

South Australians affected by the current bushfire crisis will now be able to access full quantities quantity of their Prescription Only Medicines (Schedule 4) without a prescription following an amendment to the Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011, a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

The provision brings South Australia into line with NSW, ACT and Victoria following similar announcements last week. The change in regulation gives the Health Minister the ability to declare an emergency, with pharmacists able to supply standard pack sizes, usually one month’s supply, to people affected by the emergency where it is not practical to get a prescription.

 

Medicines supplied under this regulation will be available at regular PBS prices following an announcement of a temporary expansion to the PBS Continued Dispensing initiative by the Commonwealth Government last Friday. The expanded PBS Continued Dispensing provision takes effect from Monday 13 January 2020 and expires on 31 March 2020.

 

Prior to this special authority being issued, South Australian pharmacists were unable to supply more than three (3) days’ supply of a Prescription Only Medicine without a prescription in an emergency.

 

Kingscote pharmacist, Patrick Tiong who supported people on Kangaroo Island after last week’s devastating fires welcomed the announcement: “Last week when we supported people who had lost their homes, the evacuees as well as tourists and volunteers, the current regulations were far less flexible and it limited our ability to help those affected people. I hope this change will help South Australians who need to continue taking their vital medicines when disaster strikes”
PSA South Australian President Robyn Johns said: “We welcome this morning’s announcement as a sensible move in ensuring people affected by bushfires can get urgent access to their regular medicines.”

 

Controlled Drugs cannot be supplied under this provision.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman also welcomed the move: “PSA has been working with state and territory governments around the country to improve access to prescription medicines in emergency situations. After the current bushfire crisis subsides, we are keen to work collaboratively with all governments to permanently incorporate these more effective and affordable emergency supply provisions into our health system for future disasters.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

Australian’s affected by bushfires will be able to access their medicines in an emergency at PBS prices

A temporary expansion of PBS Continued Dispensing to cover nearly all PBS medicines will mean Australians affected by the bushfire crisis will be able to access their vital medicines at regular PBS prices if they find themselves without a prescription, following a move strongly welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Under the temporary change announced this afternoon by Health Minister Hon Greg Hunt, from Monday 13 January 2020, pharmacists will be able to offer standard quantities of ongoing PBS medicines for the standard co-payment– being $6.60 for concession card holders, and up to a maximum of $41.00 for general patients – where PBS medicines are supplied without a prescription in an emergency situation.

 

This move supports the recent issue of temporary authorities to legally supply full-supplies of these medicines in an emergency in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.

 

Prior to this announcement, the PBS Continued Dispensing initiative only applied to PBS-listed oral contraceptives and cholesterol lowering medicines. This meant consumers were unable to access PBS subsidies when pharmacists supplied most medicines under emergency supply provisions. This resulted in patients suffering significant surprise out-of-pocket costs when accessing medicines in an emergency.

 

Natalie Thorton was evacuated from Eden to Merimbula with her husband and children. The last matter on her mind was remembering to take any prescription medicines with her. Mrs Thorton said “an emergency evacuation from an out of control bushfire was so traumatic, being able to walk in to the pharmacy and get the medicines my family required in a caring and supportive environment was one less thing that I had to worry about”.

 

In welcoming the move, PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said, “PSA have been working with the government and its departments on this issue for many months and we congratulate the leadership shown by the Health Minister on today’s announcement.”

 

“The last thing people need in the middle of this crisis is to find the money to pay for their medicines which would have otherwise been subsidised. This provision will make a huge different to unfair and unexpected out-of-pocket medicine expenses for people who are displaced by fires.”

 

“PSA’s existing Guidelines for the continued dispensing of eligible prescribed medicines by pharmacists provide clear information to pharmacists on how to appropriately supply of medicines in these situations. I am confident pharmacists will adhere to these requirements when supplying PBS medicines under this temporary expansion.

 

PSA believes more work is needed to enable provisions to be automatically available when the next disaster strikes.

 

“We are keen to work with the federal government in collaboration with their state and territory counterparts after this crisis subsides to permanently incorporate effective and nationally consistent emergency supply provisions,” Associate Professor Freeman noted.

 

“PSA will continue to advocate for a long term solution on behalf of all Australians. We need nationally consistent emergency supply rules for medicines which ensure patients get the medicines they urgently need at the price they know and can afford” said Associate Professor Freeman.

 

The expanded PBS Continued Dispensing provisions takes effect from Monday 13 January 2020 and expires on 31 March 2020.

 

PSA will communicate this temporary change to pharmacists in addition to information published on the Department of Health website via www.pbs.gov.au.

 

Download media release here

ACT joins NSW and Victoria in improving access to medicines for people affected by bushfires

Friday, 10 January 2020

 

People in the ACT affected by the bushfire crisis will now be able to access a standard PBS or manufacturers’ pack quantity of their Prescription Only Medicines (Schedule 4) without a prescription following the issuing of a temporary authority by the ACT Chief Health Officer, a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

The emergency provision brings the ACT into line with New South Wales and Victoria following similar announcements in the past two days. Under the special authority pharmacists will be able to supply standard pack sizes, usually one month’s supply, to people affected by the bushfires where it is not practical to get a prescription.

 

Prior to this special authority being issued, ACT pharmacists were unable to supply more than three (3) days’ supply of a Prescription Only Medicine without a prescription in an emergency.

 

In welcoming the announcement, PSA ACT Branch Vice President Professor Mark Naunton said: “This is a sensible decision made by ACT Health to ensure patients maintain their access to medicines consistent with other affected states in the ACT region. The current bushfire crisis is starting to create an increased demand on Canberra’s pharmacists from patients who have been displaced from NSW and Victoria and are coming into the ACT.”

 

“Our community pharmacists are working incredibly hard to ensure this increased demand is managed to ensure patients are not adversely affected by this crisis, and this change helps pharmacists care for these people.”

 

“ACT’s pharmacists thank the ACT Health CHO for aligning so quickly to the changes made by NSW and Victoria to ensure consistency in emergency access to medicines in what can be a very confusing time for displaced people.

 

Controlled Drugs (Schedule 8) (e.g. opioid pain medicines), anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines and a small number of specialised medicines (‘Appendix D medicines’) cannot be supplied under this provision.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman also welcomed the move: “The ACT is the third jurisdiction to recognise the challenges associated with accessing vital medicines in an emergency. PSA will continue to work with state and territory governments around the country to improve regulations regarding access to prescription medicines in emergency situations.”

 

The special provision takes effect immediately and expires on 31 March 2020. PSA will distribute guidance to Canberra pharmacists in addition to information published on the ACT Health website.

 

Media contact: PSA Media, 0487 922 176

 

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