Better access to vaccines and UTI treatment for Canberrans

3 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to welcome the ACT Government’s move to expand the vaccines and medicines that Canberrans can access from their local pharmacist.

 

From mid-March 2023, patients will be able to receive the hepatitis A and hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, typhoid and herpes zoster vaccines from their local pharmacist.

 

Canberrans will also be able to access pharmacist-prescribed antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs) under the New South Wales trial program.

 

PSA ACT President Olivia Collenette joined ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA to make the announcement on Friday morning.

 

“There should be no wrong door when patients are seeking a vaccine,” Ms Collenette said.

 

“Pharmacists are skilled and experienced immunisers who have delivered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccinations nationally.

 

“The average Australian visits a pharmacy 18 times each year. That’s 18 opportunities to impart a health message and encourage them to get up to date with their vaccinations. When we are able to deliver those vaccines right from the pharmacy, we are taking down a barrier to care.

 

“Pharmacists are well positioned to play a greater role in primary health care too, and with appropriate further training, can make oral contraception and UTI treatments more accessible for all Canberrans.

 

“It’s important that a patient in Queanbeyan does not have lesser or greater access to healthcare than a patient in the ACT.

 

“We welcome the ACT Government’s announcement and their commitment to equitable healthcare, and look forward to working with them closely to progress the role of pharmacists in the ACT.”

 

 

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

 

Update – below are participating pharmacies in the ACT

 

Pharmacy	Address	Suburb			Phone
Capital Chemist Charnwood	Charnwood Shopping Centre, Shops 7 & 8, Lhotsky Street	Charnwood			(02) 6258 4949
Gold Creek Discount Drug Store	3/46 O’Hanlon Place	Nicholls			(02) 6253 9702
Life Pharmacy Group Erindale	Erindale Shopping Centre, Shop 11, 2 Denigan Street	Wanniassa			(02) 6231 6550
Pharmasave Woden Pharmacy	Westfield Woden, Shop 67, 2 Keltie Street	Phillip			(02) 6282 3960
The Pharmacy On Petrie	The Canberra Centre, Shop EG01, A/148 Bunda Street, Ground Floor Petrie St	Canberra			(02) 6249 8074

Hundreds of medicines more accessible for Tasmanians under Rockliff’s plan

2 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement that continued dispensing arrangements have been expanded to include hundreds of new medicines, including the oral contraceptive pill, asthma puffers, statins, and medicines for the management of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

 

From Monday, 6 March, Tasmanians who urgently require a new supply of most Prescription Only Medicines can access a one-off supply from their local pharmacy in the event they are unable to access a renewed prescription.

 

PSA Tasmania President David Peachey welcomed the announcement and congratulated the Rockliff Government on implementing a leading medicine accessibility policy.

 

“The Tasmanian Government, under the leadership of Premier Jeremy Rockliff, is leading the nation with allowing more equitable access to medicines for chronic but stable conditions,” Mr Peachey said.

 

“We are the first state to permanently allow patients on a long-term medicines for stable chronic condition to access one additional repeat supply of their essential medicines directly from their local pharmacist if they cannot access a GP for any reason.

 

“This means that therapy will not be interrupted if a patient loses their medicine, they run out unexpectedly, or they can’t get in to see their GP for a repeat.

 

“Patient safety is paramount, and we need to ensure that clinical governance measures are in place.

 

 

“Pharmacists will need to verify previous and recent supply of the medicine to that patient – so if you’re not going to your regular pharmacy, keeping the empty box of the previous supply will help the pharmacist help you.

 

“Premier Rockliff has been a great supporter of pharmacists practicing to our top of scope, and I welcome the opportunity to continue working with him and his team to make healthcare more accessible for all Tasmanians.

 

 

 

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

Nominations now open for PSA leadership

2 March 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for pharmacists around Australia to nominate for leadership positions within their State or Territory Branch Committee.

 

PSA’s general election kicks off on the 2^nd March 2023, with nominations for Branch Committee positions open until COB on 30^th March 2023. Voting will be open to all PSA members from 4^th April to 1^st May 2023.

 

PSA CEO Mark Kinsela urged all PSA members to consider nominating for Branch Committee positions.

 

“PSA’s State and Territory Branch Committees are the voice for every pharmacist in their state,” Mr Kinsela said.

 

“As an organisation PSA represents a hugely diverse workforce, from all walks of life and a range of practise settings.

 

“PSA’s Branch Committees drive PSA’s advocacy and play a significant role in highlighting the role of pharmacists to politicians and to the public.

 

“As a member of a Branch Committee, you will support, promote and fight for the pharmacist profession.

 

“It’s important that our leadership also reflects the diversity of our workforce. We encourage pharmacists from all backgrounds and walks of life to nominate, bringing your unique perspective and experience to the committee.

 

“Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or looking to give back at the end, , I encourage you to be a voice for your profession and nominate for your local Branch Committee in 2023.

 

Nomination forms are available here.

 

Successful candidates for Branch Committee positions will be announced on 3^rd May 2023.

 

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

Have your say on the future of Professional Practice Standards

20 February 2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has invited pharmacists, consumers and other members of the healthcare team to provide feedback on the revised draft of the Professional Practice Standards (PPS) Version 6 released this week.

 

PSA’s PPS articulate the values of the pharmacy profession and expected standards of professional behaviour of pharmacists towards individuals, the community and society. The PPS underpins the professional practice of all pharmacists in Australia.

 

The PPS Consultation will collate feedback from pharmacists from all areas of practice and specialties, pharmacy bodies, consumer groups, other members of the healthcare team and subject-matter experts across various areas of pharmacy practice.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim urged all stakeholders to give their feedback on the revised PPS draft.

 

“The practice of pharmacy has evolved significantly in the past five years. Regularly revising the Professional Practice Standards is an opportunity for clinical governance to stay up to date with the evolving roles of pharmacists,” Dr Sim said.

 

“The Standards reflect the important role of pharmacists in the fast-changing healthcare sector, with a focus on patient-centred collaborative care.

 

“It’s vital that we have diverse voices included in the Standards, including pharmacists, healthcare teams and consumers, so that they accurately reflect both the expectations of the professional requirements of contemporary pharmacist practice and patients.”

 

The draft revision of Professional Practice Standards and feedback can be accessed here.

 

 

 

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

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

Patients win with NSW prescribing pilot

19 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes today’s announcement from New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard that pharmacists will soon be able to renew existing scripts for the contraceptive pill and provide care to patients suffering from Urinary Tract Infections under a new clinical trial across all 2100 community pharmacies.

 

The announced prescribing trial for the treatment of UTIs is set to begin on 1 April 2023, with a trial for the renewal of oral contraceptive pill prescriptions to begin on 1 July 2023 and allow pharmacists to extend an original script issued by a GP or nurse practitioner in the past 2 years.

 

PSA NSW President Chelsea Felkai said that the pilot will significantly improve access to timely care for NSW patients, and reaffirmed PSA’s support for the program.

 

“Pharmacists are well-positioned to deliver quality, timely care to NSW patients experiencing uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections,” Ms Felkai said.

 

“Congratulations to PSA NSW Vice-President Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin and the University of Newcastle for her work in getting the UTI clinical trial up and running.

 

“Pharmacists participating in the pilot program will undergo additional training, including identifying signs of complex health conditions that require a referral to a GP or hospital.

 

“Trained Queensland pharmacists have been successfully prescribing for uncomplicated UTIs since 2020, giving patients timely access to medicines in an environment where it could otherwise take up to six weeks to get a GP appointment.

 

“The GP crisis shows no signs of easing, so we need every healthcare professional to be working to their top of scope and contributing to their full capacity.

 

“We have a health system that is approaching breaking point. The health profession needs to work together to support patients as their health needs become more complex. This includes reducing duplication and empowering patients with self-care.

 

“The entire pharmacist profession remains committed to working collaboratively with the entire health sector to deliver best outcomes for patients.”

 

PSA National President, Dr Fei Sim, also commended the NSW Government on this announcement, and called on other jurisdictions to follow suit.

 

“PSA has been calling on governments around Australia to allow pharmacists to play a greater role in community health.

 

“Pharmacists have the skills and medicine expertise to renew prescriptions for stable, chronic conditions. With ongoing GP shortages across the country, it is time for other jurisdictions to follow NSW’s lead.

 

“We are already working with pharmacists in NSW and around the country to provide clinical support and treatment guidelines for pharmacists to treat Urinary Tract Infections, and will continue to support patients getting timely access to healthcare.”

 

 

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

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

Congratulations to First PSA-Accredited Pharmacist

15 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the first PSA-Accredited Pharmacist has completed their training with PSA. Congratulations to Thao Phan MPS-AACPA on completing their accreditation, and for being the first to do so with PSA!

 

Ms Phan graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from Monash University in 2020, and practices as a community pharmacist in Cairns, Queensland.

 

“When PSA announced that they were offering the credentialing program, I made a decision immediately. I would complete my accreditation with PSA, knowing they will accompany and support me in every step of the process,” Ms Phan said.

 

“I have been a PSA member since I started my pharmacy course. PSA has provided me with great support throughout my internship and the first year of my career as a pharmacist.

 

“I found the MMR stage 1 online course extremely helpful. It provided me with a detailed description of the steps involved and the skills needed to undertake Medication Management Reviews. The knowledge I learnt from these resources made it much easier for me to pass the assessments of the accreditation process.

 

“The Accreditation Team at PSA always provide timely and helpful responses to all my inquiries. I would highly recommend PSA accreditation training to other pharmacists.

 

“I’m very excited to conduct my first review and help promote MMRs to more doctors and patients in the community.”

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS congratulated Thao on being the first PSA Accredited Pharmacist, and said she was proud to get such positive feedback on the program.

 

“Congratulations to Thao Phan MPS-AACPA on being the first PSA-accredited pharmacist,” Dr Sim said.

 

“We are so excited to see the PSA Accreditation Credentialing Program growing as the new Home of Accredited Pharmacists.

 

“We are incredibly proud to offer a complete package of high-quality education, training and ongoing career support for accredited pharmacists and those looking to pursue accreditation.

 

“PSA’s Accreditation Credentialing Program is giving pharmacists the knowledge, communication skills, and counselling to provide high quality, complex medication review services through collaborative care models with other health care providers.

 

“Accreditation provides opportunity for career pathways and progression, a key pillar of PSA’s ongoing advocacy for roles, remuneration and recognition of pharmacists,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

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

Vale Dr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED FPS

9 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED FPS.

 

Dr Alistair Lloyd has had a significant impact on pharmacy education and practice in Australia, through his leadership roles within the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, the Victorian College of Pharmacy, and Monash University.

 

In 1996, Alistair was awarded the inaugural Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia for his contributions to the pharmacy profession. He was the first to receive what is now an annual award.

 

Alistair was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) by the Governor-General in the 2001 Australia Day honours lists for service to the pharmacy profession and patient care through integration of pharmacy, medical and nursing services, and for improving labelling on medications and standardising prescription conventions.

 

Alistair Lloyd has made many outstanding and valuable contributions to the pharmacy profession as a community pharmacist and in the various senior leadership roles with the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, the body responsible for running the Victorian College of Pharmacy until 1992.

 

In 2013, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Monash University honoured Dr Lloyd by launching the Alistair Lloyd Scholarship for Excellence and Leadership in honour of the philanthropist and pharmacy industry stalwart. The scholarship provides $10,000 per year to a student commencing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree at Monash. The scholarship was first awarded in 2015 and is awarded every two years.

 

He has long been known as Victoria’s most recognised pharmacy leader and visionary for the profession.

 

“Dr Lloyd has made many outstanding and valuable contributions to our profession, both in his work as a community pharmacist and in senior leadership roles within PSA.

 

“Dr Lloyd’s legacy will continue with his many pharmacy students and colleagues whom he led throughout his impressive career.

 

“On behalf of the pharmacy profession, my deepest condolences are with the Lloyd family, their friends, and many colleagues in Victoria,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

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

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

PSA launches its first Equality Statement

 

8 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today launched its Equality Statement, calling for pharmacists to reflect on how they provide more inclusive, appropriate and discrimination-free healthcare for LGBTQIA+ Australians. The statement also calls on healthcare bodies to make changes to better facilitate inclusive health care.

 

Practical ways pharmacists can support LGBTQIA+ individuals include avoiding heteronormative and cisnormative language, ensuring pronouns and chosen names are routinely used included in healthcare records, and recognising partners or family of choice as legally authorised decision makers in their health.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said that all healthcare professionals have a duty to foster an accessible, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment to improve health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people.

 

“LGBTQIA+ communities are incredibly resilient and adaptable, but still experience disproportionately worse health outcomes than the wider population,” Dr Sim said.

 

“57% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have reported discrimination due to their sexual orientation, and almost 80% of these participants had experienced discrimination due to gender diversity.

 

“This is simply unacceptable.

 

“Stigma and discrimination cause significant negative health effects and leads to people avoiding healthcare entirely. Everyone should have equal access to healthcare. As some of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists have a specific duty of care to patients to ensure that healthcare is provided in an inclusive and appropriate way for all people.

 

“World Pride and Melbourne Midsummer festival are times where we celebrate the diversity of the community we live in and reflect on achievements in reducing and acknowledging discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA+ people in the past.

 

“Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting transgender and gender diverse patients undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy. PSA is proud to offer pharmacist education in trans- and gender diverse health care in pharmacy, and to support pharmacists in providing inclusive care.

 

“The Australian healthcare system has the opportunity to better support LGBTQIA+ people at all stages of care. The onus is on each of us to better understand the unique health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities and how to support all patients.”

 

The Equality Statement was driven by PSA’s Early Career Pharmacists who are passionate about building the health system’s capacity to support all people.

 

“I thank Amber Loomis and the Early Career Pharmacists for their contribution to PSA’s Equality Statement, for their dedication to improving inclusive healthcare in Australia.”

 

The PSA Equality Position Statement is available here.

 

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

Federal Budget has the opportunity to strengthen healthcare access – will the Government take it?

2 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has used its pre-Budget submission to urge the Albanese Government to invest in national vaccination programs and strengthen access to health care for all Australians.

 

PSA has urged the government introduce a Medicare Benefits Schedule payment for pharmacist immunisations modelled on the Level B payment available to GPs.  The MBS fee would be available in all primary care locations pharmacists vaccinate, including community pharmacies and general practice.

 

PSA’s 2023-24 Pre-Budget Submission also highlights the need for nationally consistent vaccination standards that allow all patients to receive all vaccinations from their local pharmacist, regardless of their age or type of vaccination.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said that the Federal Government has the opportunity to ensure that every Australian has equitable access to vaccination, regardless of where they live.

 

“Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective interventions against preventable disease,” Dr Sim said.

 

“We need to be doing everything we can to remove barriers and encourage more Australians to get vaccinated and be protected against preventable diseases like influenza, Meningococcal and HPV.

 

“For many Australians pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers, with extended opening hours and short wait times. We could be taking advantage of this, but instead governments have restricted the vaccinations we can provide in a pharmacy or general practice.

 

“Each state and territory has its own set of rules in place about which patients can be vaccinated by pharmacists, depending on age and the vaccination itself.

 

“In NSW, a pharmacists can provide a catch-up vaccination for a HPV shot missed during COVID lockdowns, but not in the ACT.

 

“A five-year-old can be vaccinated against influenza by a pharmacist in Victoria, while they would have to wait up to six weeks for a GP appointment in the Northern Territory or Tasmania – some of the jurisdictions with the worst wait times for GP appointments.

 

“These differences make no sense, and place people’s health at risk.

 

“It is not fair that children in one state might have greater access to a vital vaccination than children in another state.

 

“Pharmacists have already administered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccines over the last two years, on top of millions more influenza vaccines. This shows that the pharmacist profession is ready, and that Australians want to be able to access pharmacist-led vaccination.

 

“Empowering pharmacists to deliver vaccines has been proven, time and time again, to boost vaccination rates.

 

“Expanding access to life-saving vaccinations is a common sense move that will improve the health and wellbeing of Australians, while also freeing up GP appointments for more complex health needs.

 

“Harmonising vaccination standards across the country, allowing pharmacists to play a greater role in vaccination programs, will reduce confusion across states, among the public and healthcare professionals.

 

“Above all else it’s about improving access to healthcare,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

PSA’s 2023-24 Budget Submission is available here.

 

More information on pharmacy numbers, state regulations and other data is available on request.

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

Page announced as new PSA Victoria President

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the election of Dr Amy Page FPS as President of PSA’s Victorian branch.

 

Dr Page is a consultant pharmacist and has served on the PSA Victoria branch since 2017 including as Vice-President. In 2015 she was also awarded a Fellowship of the PSA.

 

Page is recognised as a national expert in the quality use of medicines, with her research and clinical practice focusing on older people with multimorbidity, polypharmacy and dementia. She was one of Australia’s first pharmacists to practice in a GP clinic, championing non-traditional practice settings and interprofessional collaboration.

 

As a clinical pharmacist and researcher, she leads the development of innovative projects that engage multidisciplinary teams and bridge the gaps between clinical practice, research and education to improve outcomes for patients. Her current work is building capacity and support for pharmacists as they transition in to new roles on-site in residential aged care facility.

 

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to lead Victorian pharmacists,” Dr Page said.

 

“It’s an exciting time to be in pharmacy.  Pharmacists have opportunities to work in a range of different practice settings and play a greater role in the health and wellbeing of our communities.

 

“The Victorian Government announced a trial allowing pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and medicines for other conditions, giving our profession the opportunity to take the first steps in practising to top of scope.

 

“I’m excited to have a greater role in supporting PSA to be the home of accreditation, giving accredited pharmacists the opportunity to achieve the best results for our patients. The 2023 Consultant Pharmacists Conference (CPC23) in May will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with accredited pharmacists from around Australia and learn from one another.”

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS congratulated Dr Page on her election, and acknowledged John Jackson for his service as Victorian President.

 

“I’m very proud to have Dr Page stepping up to lead Victorian pharmacists,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Dr Page has been heavily involved in PSA for many years, and brings a wealth of experience to role especially during such an exciting time for pharmacy.

 

“PSA is very thankful to outgoing Victorian President John Jackson MPS for his dedication and service to Victoria’s pharmacists. He has been an integral part of the PSA team for ”

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0410 505 315     E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.