PSA driving national Quality Use of Medicines agenda

8 April 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is continuing its leadership in Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and medicine safety, the 10th National Health Priority Area, securing involvement in six key health professional projects and one consumer-focused initiative under the Australian Government’s recently announced Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDPT) grants.

These projects further build on PSA’s ongoing leadership in QUM initiatives, providing best-practice guidance to pharmacists, healthcare professionals and consumers to improve safe and effective medicine use in Australia.

Under this grant round alone, PSA is involved in projects spanning some of Australia’s most pressing health issues from palliative care and polypharmacy, to better supporting patients from a range socioeconomic, literacy, cultural, linguistic backgrounds, providing pharmacists with the resources and education necessary to improve patient outcomes and support complex medication management.

These projects will ensure that both consumers and health professionals have access to the latest evidence-based guidance on the safe and effective use of medicines.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said these projects reflect PSA’s commitment to ensuring all Australians receive the best possible health outcomes from their medicines.

“Quality Use of Medicines is essential to safe and effective healthcare, and pharmacists are integral to ensuring medicines are used appropriately,” A/Prof Sim said.

“PSA is proud to support and partner in these vital projects, equipping pharmacists with the resources and education they need to help consumers make informed decisions about their medicines.

“These initiatives reinforce PSA’s role as the leader in pharmacist education, ensuring our profession is equipped with the knowledge and skills to support safe and effective medicine use.

“As pharmacists step up into increasingly complex roles, high-quality education and training are essential to delivering better health outcomes for Australians.”

PSA’s leadership in medicine safety continues to drive national efforts to optimise medicine use and enhance patient care, supporting pharmacists in their roles as medicines experts.

Further detail about each project will be shared over the coming weeks.​

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

PSA brings together health sector leaders for programs roundtable

7 April 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes attendees to its sector-wide roundtable today in Canberra, bringing together over 20 pharmacy, practitioner representatives, medical, health and consumer groups from across the country to shape an upcoming agreement on pharmacy programs with the Australian Government.

Announced in January 2025, the forthcoming agreement will be the first dedicated agreement on pharmacy programs, focusing on a range of pharmacy programs that no longer sit within the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement, including but not limited to medication management programs (including Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs, and rural support programs that encompass pharmacists in a range of practice areas.

The new agreement will see PSA and the Commonwealth work together, alongside other pharmacy and the wider health stakeholders, to strengthen programs that pharmacists deliver across the health system.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said today’s roundtable was an important collaborative process to ensure pharmacy programs evolve in ways that reflect the needs of the health system, the profession, and most importantly, the patients pharmacists serve.

“PSA is proud to lead this process on behalf of our profession, bringing together stakeholders from across the pharmacy sector, government, and the broader health system to share ideas, priorities and expertise,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“As the peak body for all pharmacists, across all areas of practice, PSA is driving a collaborative, inclusive process that brings together key stakeholder groups and government partners through a collaborative engagement approach. We all want the same outcome – to optimise program delivery for the benefit of the patients we serve.

“We are also committed to hearing directly from pharmacists who are delivering these services every day. Our national consultation process includes direct engagement with practising pharmacists, including a survey now open to gather frontline feedback on individual programs. The sector-wide roundtable today is only part of the overall consultation approach PSA is undertaking.”

The roundtable builds on PSA’s long-standing commitment to genuine collaboration with government, sector leaders and the pharmacy profession to ensure services are fit-for-purpose, evidence-based and sustainable into the future.

“Pharmacists are stepping up in every corner of the country,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“Our programs must evolve to support high-quality, accessible care for all Australians.”

Individual practitioners can submit feedback via the pharmacy programs hub here.

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Pharmacists urge Australians to get vaccinated as record influenza cases reported

1 April 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is urging all Australians to protect themselves and their communities by getting vaccinated against influenza ahead of the upcoming flu season.

The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) has reported record numbers of influenza cases, with more than 42,000 laboratory confirmed cases recorded since January 2025.

With flu cases expected to rise even further as the cooler months approach, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS says now is the time for Australians to roll up their sleeves.

“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is by getting vaccinated before the peak of the flu season,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“We have seen time and again the serious consequences of underestimating influenza, particularly for vulnerable Australians including older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions.

“I urge all Australians, no matter your age, to get vaccinated early to reduce the risk of serious illness and help prevent the spread of the virus.”

Associate Professor Sim encouraged Australians to visit their local community pharmacy and speak to their pharmacist about immunisation as soon as possible.

“Pharmacists are accessible vaccinators, with thousands of community pharmacies across Australia offering flu vaccinations and many offering walk-in appointments.

“It is easier than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones from influenza. Visit your local pharmacy and get your flu vaccine today,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

The flu vaccine is recommended for all Australians over six months of age. Higher risk Australians have access to free influenza vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), including children under five, adults over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women, and individuals with certain medical conditions.

Queensland and Western Australia are currently the only jurisdictions to offer state-funded influenza vaccinations for all residents ahead of the 2025 flu season.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

SA/NT top pharmacists recognised at PSA awards

31 March 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) South Australia and Northern Territory branch presented its 2025 Pharmacist Awards over the weekend, highlighting the outstanding achievements of pharmacists across a range of categories.

South Australian Minister for Health Chris Picton MP presented the following pharmacists with their awards:

• Jaimee Anderson MPS, SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year
• Simone Rossi MPS, SA/NT Lifetime Achievement Award
• Maria Cooper MPS, SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
• Jessie Wattie MPS, SA/NT Intern Pharmacist of the Year

University of South Australia student Imogen Bates was also awarded PSA’s most prestigious student award, the Gold Medal, awarded periodically after completing the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with the highest grade point average above 6.25. The award, which began in 1896, was given to Ms Bates who as well as excelling academically, travelled to the Philippines as part of the New Colombo Plan.

Presenting the awards in Adelaide, PSA SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS said tonight’s recipients exemplify the dedication, innovation, and leadership that drive pharmacy forward.

“PSA awards recognise outstanding pharmacists who go above and beyond to support their patients, their communities, and the profession. Their contributions make a real difference in the lives of their patients and strengthen the role pharmacists play in delivering quality healthcare.

“Each of our award recipients demonstrates excellence in their area of practice and their achievements inspire us all to continue stepping up for our communities.

“On behalf of PSA, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our award recipients. Their passion and commitment reflect the very best of our profession, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.”

About the recipients

Providing diabetes education to clients attending her local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, as well as a General Practice in the remote hometown of Katherine, SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year Jaimee Anderson MPS is also a pharmacist vaccination trainer. She now specialises in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with youth onset and pregnancy-related type 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes.

Few pharmacists in Australia have had the widespread impact of Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Simone Rossi MPS in providing evidence-based medicines information. She was the primary architect of the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH), the shared point of care resource for clinicians, as its editorial consultant, leading its production for over 30 years. From the template on how things were presented in the resource, to the use of the active rather than passive voice, to mentoring the editorial teams in the science of evidence-based information gathering, the AMH is truly a life’s work and passion. She has also contributed to the DVA’s Veterans’ MATES and National Prescribing Service (NPS) MedicineWise programs, including NPS News and NPS Radar and the Central. Australian Rural Practitioners Association (CARPA) treatment manuals. Over this time Simone has also been a clinical lecturer at the University of South Australia.

Researcher, part-time community pharmacist and tutor in pharmacy practice, dosage form design and pharmacotherapeutics at the University of South Australia, SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist of the Year Maria Cooper MPS has published articles on workplace stress during the pandemic which led to the development of the world’s first ECP-dedicated peer support program. A speaker at PSA24, she earned the Outstanding Oral Presentation award.

Passionate about patient care, SA/NT Intern Pharmacist of the Year Jessie Wattie MPS has contributed to medication reviews and deprescribing at three aged care facilities with on-site pharmacists, and participated in multidisciplinary programs including the Country Health Connect Cardio Rehabilitation program and the Pain Collective. She upskilled in vaccination and mental health training and created a streamlined system to assist her pharmacist colleagues with documenting the distribution of nicotine vaping products with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Photos from the awards presentation (attached) are available for use by media with attribution to PSA.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

PSA welcomes pharmacists and stakeholders to inaugural GP-Pharmacists Symposium

28 March 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is hosting the General Practice Pharmacists Symposium today in Melbourne, bringing leading voices and over 100 delegates together to explore the evolving role of pharmacists in general practice.

It is the first General Practice Pharmacists Symposium hosted by PSA, following 2 years delivered by the WentWest PHN in New South Wales.

As part of the symposium, PSA is hosting a panel discussion featuring leaders from key pharmacy and medical groups including PSA’s Consultant Pharmacist Advisor Debbie Rigby FPS and representatives from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Australian Medical Association (AMA), facilitating constructive dialogue about the evolving role of pharmacists in general practice and the benefits of collaborative multidisciplinary models of care.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS reiterated PSA’s commitment to medicine safety and workforce support.

“We know that each year 250,000 Australians are admitted to hospitals due to medication-related problems, which is only set to rise with the growing prevalence of chronic health conditions.

“We must support our health care system to meet this demand by investing in multidisciplinary care now, supporting general practitioners to grow their teams and foster greater pharmacist-GP collaboration to achieve true patient-centred care.

“Pharmacists can make irreplaceable invaluable contribution in and within the general practice team. Investing in isolated funding for QUM and medicine safety will directly benefit our health system and most importantly improve patient care.

“The work that we’re doing today is building on more than 13 years of PSA advocacy for general practice pharmacists, from establishing pilot projects with primary health networks to embed pharmacists in general practices around the country to developing best practice frameworks to support the work pharmacists do as part of multidisciplinary teams.”

Associate Professor Sim also pointed to PSA’s election platform advocacy, which calls for the doubling of the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) to properly fund general practice pharmacists into the future.

“This election, PSA is fighting for long-term, sustainable funding to encourage general practices to embed pharmacists into their teams, properly funding pharmacist roles through the Workforce Incentive Program.”

Associate Professor Sim concluded by saying: “I once again wish to thank WentWest PHN for their leadership in establishing the Pharmacist in General Practice National Symposium in 2022, a legacy which PSA is proud to carry on.”

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Federal Budget locks in health commitments

25 March 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s 2025-26 Budget, investing in a number of measures that allow pharmacists to deliver timely, accessible care to Australians.

Of the key measures announced pre-Budget, PSA again reaffirms its support for the government’s record $573 million investment in women’s health initiatives, including funding for a nation-wide trial to boost access to treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and hormonal contraception through community pharmacists, as well as the historic investment to lower the PBS general patient co-payment from $31.60 to $25.00 on 1 January 2026.

In particular, PSA welcomes the federal government’s investment in the further development of the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, reflecting evolving practice and supporting pharmacists as new ethical paradigms arise.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the work will ensure pharmacists are supported to practise to their full scope:

“Supporting pharmacists in ethical decision-making is particularly critical considering the rapid growth in scope of practice and evolving community expectations.

“PSA’s focus is on ensuring that pharmacists are able practise to their full scope, underpinned by the necessary support for professional practice, education and training.”

A/Prof Sim also reflected on the importance of the funding measures which will increase accessibility of care.

“PSA welcomes the federal government’s investment in women’s health, funding 250,000 Australian women with concession cards to access treatment for UTIs and oral contraception from their local pharmacist without an out-of-pocket consultation.

“We look forward to working with government, consumers and other stakeholders to implement this measure as soon as possible, ensuring that all women can access care when and where they need it.

“PSA also acknowledges the historic investment in the PBS, ensuring the cost burden of medicines is eased and more Australians can afford their medicines,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

PSA to host sector-wide roundtable on pharmacist programs

25 March 2025

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is set to host a roundtable consultation in early April 2025 to discuss a range of pharmacy programs that sit outside the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA).

The roundtable follows the Minister for Health Mark Butler MP’s January announcement of a new pharmacy programs agreement, where PSA will facilitate stakeholder consultation, negotiate and be a signatory.

This agreement will cover a range of pharmacy programs that no longer sit within the 8CPA including but not limited to medication management programs (including Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs, and rural support programs that encompass pharmacists in a range of practice areas.

The new agreement will see PSA and the Commonwealth work together, alongside other pharmacy stakeholders, to strengthen programs that pharmacists deliver across the health system.

Content of the new agreement will be informed by outcomes from the consultation roundtable, alongside the results of an independent cost-effectiveness review of existing pharmacy programs run by Deloitte on behalf of the Commonwealth.

The consultation roundtable is set to be Chaired by PSA Consultant Pharmacist Advisor Debbie Rigby FPS, who said consultation with stakeholders, including pharmacy representative bodies, primary care stakeholders, consumers and health groups, will inform programs that better support pharmacists to deliver safe, accessible, timely care to Australians.

“As the peak national body for pharmacists across all areas of practice, PSA is leading a roundtable with key pharmacy and health stakeholders, setting the agenda for programs that sit outside of the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement,” Ms Rigby said.

“By bringing together key stakeholders, we get a comprehensive, profession-wide view of both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“Harnessing the insights gathered through this consultation, PSA is identifying challenges in current services, and potential improvements to existing programs, to enable sustainability and better outcomes from these programs,” Ms Rigby concluded.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS reaffirmed PSA’s commitment to a collaborative approach that seeks input from across the sector.

“Following the Minister’s announcement earlier this year, we’re excited to be progressing consultation with a range of key stakeholders, signalling our collaborative approach to improving pharmacy programs.

“Our focus is on ensuring that programs delivered by pharmacists are fit for purpose and evolving to meet the growing health needs of Australians.

“Under our incredible Advisor Debbie Rigby’s leadership, our Board including Agreements Lead Shane Jackson, and alongside the broader PSA team, I look forward to working with a diverse range of stakeholders to work toward pharmacy programs that better work not only for our profession, but for patients,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

Consultation on individual pharmacy programs is currently open on PSA’s website. Members and the broader pharmacy profession are encouraged to provide their insights, case studies on challenges or barriers limiting patient access, and ideas on how to improve the quality and accessibility of services.

Feedback can be submitted through program surveys at www.psa.org.au/pharmacy-programs-feedback/

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Expanded pharmacist scope becomes permanent in Queensland

21 March 2025

Following the success of the Queensland Community Pharmacy over the last 12 months, Queensland Minister for Health Tim Nicholls MP has this morning announced that pharmacist-prescribing for a range of acute conditions will become a permanent feature of Queensland’s health system.

The Queensland Community Pharmacy Pilot enables pharmacists who undertake specialised training to prescribe for a range of acute conditions, making timely care more accessible to Queenslanders when and where they need it.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Queensland President Shane MacDonald MPS welcomed the announcement, saying the success of the trial has demonstrated the critical role pharmacists play in improving patient access to care.

“Queenslanders have embraced the ability to see their local pharmacist for a consultation of their presenting complaint, reducing pressure on emergency departments and our health system,” Mr MacDonald said.

“This announcement is a testament to the quality of care pharmacists deliver. Making this program permanent is a win for patients, ensuring they continue to have timely access to safe, effective treatment close to home.”

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS reaffirmed PSA’s commitment to supporting practitioners undertaking specialised training to become full scope, prescribing pharmacists with a range of professional support.

“As the peak body for all pharmacists we’re calling on pharmacists across the state to enrol in the training program and take the next steps toward full scope,” Associate Professor Sim said.

“We’re supporting our pharmacist workforce to be prepared for full scope of practice to become permanent with training and education opportunities announced earlier this week, as well as practice support for pharmacists across the state.

“Pharmacists who want to take advantage of this opportunity should enrol as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out, as opportunities for training subsidies are limited.”

PSA’s Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program meets the training requirements for Queensland pharmacists participating in the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot, and is eligible for the Queensland Government training subsidy. Enrolments are open now.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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