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Queenslanders to be better protected during COVID-19

11 April 2020

 

Queenslanders will be better protected by pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic with increased access to vaccines and essential medicines following a number of announcements made by the Queensland Government today, many of them not yet seen in other states and territories.

 

In a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), pharmacists will be able to supply an alternative suitable medicine to a patient if supplies of a usual medicine are unavailable, once enacted under protocols currently under development by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for prescribed Schedule 4 restricted drugs.

 

Patients will also be able to receive a maximum PBS quantity or pack size without a prescription, where the pharmacist is satisfied there is immediate need, usually a months’ supply for most medicines.

 

PSA Queensland President Chris Campbell congratulated the Queensland Government for making these necessary changes that will assist pharmacists in providing necessary care to their patients and the community.

 

“PSA fully supports and thanks the Queensland Government for this common-sense approach that will provide certainty to patients who cannot access their medicines due to the impact of COVID-19 or might be worried about a certain medicine being out of stock, “he said.

 

“Queensland is the first state or territory to enable pharmacists to implement the TGA therapeutic substitution protocols when they are released, which is one of many measures the Government, through pharmacists are tackling the growing issue of medicines shortage around Australia.

 

“Dispensing therapeutic substitutions to patients is well within the current skillset of every pharmacist in Queensland and it is very important we continue to work with the Government and TGA to ensure there is as little bureaucratic red tape as possible and patient care and safety are paramount.

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has called for and worked with the Queensland Government to give pharmacists more scope to ensure patients continue to receive essential medicines and these changes are a good step forward.”

 

The Queensland Government also announced that pharmacists will be able to administer the meningococcal vaccine to children aged 10 and older (previously 16 and older) as well as allowing Queensland pharmacists to be the first pharmacists in Australia to provide the Pneumococcal vaccination, adding to the growing number of immunisations provided by pharmacists in Queensland.

 

Mr Campbell said as part of these announcements by the Health Minister Steven Miles, community pharmacists will also be able to administer the COVID 19 vaccination when it is available, another Australian first.

 

“This forward thinking plan will allow the most rapid uptake of COVID 19 immunisation possible, leveraging off the wide network of pharmacists in the state and will help to rapidly protect Queenslanders and will save lives,” he said.

 

“Pharmacists are on the front line of health care and are doing a tremendous job of supporting the community during the COVID crisis.

 

“We are seeing more and more patients get the influenza shot this year in pharmacy than ever before, last year over 2 million influenza vaccinations were provided by pharmacists, this year with the improvement in access from 10 years and older in QLD people are quite rightly choosing to be Immunised.”

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Queensland Government to support pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: www.psa.org.au/coronavirus

 

PSA contact: Chris Campbell PSA QLD President 0401 704 097

 

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People in the ACT better protected following vaccination announcement

8 April 2020

 

Families with children aged 10 and older will today be able to access the influenza vaccination through community pharmacy. This means more members of the ACT Community can access vital influenza vaccinations prior to the flu season, through their local professional pharmacist.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed decisions by the ACT Government to: lower the age of influenza vaccination in community Pharmacy to 10 years old; remove the restriction on administering the influenza vaccination to a person who is pregnant; and for the first time to enable trained pharmacists in the ACT to administer measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines to people aged 16 and older.

 

PSA ACT Branch President Renae Beardmore said this announcement is timely given the ongoing threat of COVID-19 leading into the flu season and also brings the ACT in-line with other states and territories.

 

“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure due to COVID-19, increasing options for more people in the ACT to access vaccinations is vital,” Ms Beardmore said.

 

“The decision to lower the age to 10 years and older for the influenza vaccine will protect younger children and make it more convenient for families, improving rates of immunisation across the ACT.

 

“Pharmacists are more accessible to the community than any other health provider and combined with the trust consumers have in the profession, these changes will allow pharmacists to make a greater contribution to increasing immunity across the ACT.

 

Ms Beardmore commended the Government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more people in the ACT from influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has advocated for many years, including most recently in PSA’s 2020-21 ACT pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to deliver more vaccinations to a wider range of patients.

 

“PSA will continue to work closely with the ACT Government to remove barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to better protect the community.”

 

PSA Contact: Angela Drayton: 0419 241 344

 

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ACT Government extend emergency dispensing for pharmacists

The ACT Government has today made an announcement to extend the special authority for emergency supply of medicines without a prescription in a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Patients will be able to receive a maximum PBS quantity or pack size, usually a months’ supply, until at least June 30 2020 without a prescription, where the pharmacist is satisfied there is immediate need.

 

The medicine must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment.

 

PSA ACT President Renae Beardmore congratulated the ACT Government for extending the emergency supply rules.

 

“PSA fully supports and thanks the ACT Government for this very sensible approach which will ensure patients in the ACT have continued access to essential medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic” she said.

 

“General Practitioners across the ACT are under extreme pressure and this measure provides certainty to patients who are unable to access their usual prescriber due to COVID-19.”

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has called for and worked with the ACT Government to allow the continuation of emergency dispensing that was put in place during the recent bushfire crisis to be extended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

This will ensure patients and members of the community continue to gain access to much needed medicines.”

 

PSA will continue to work closely with ACT Health to support pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: www.psa.org.au/coronavirus

 

PSA contact: Angela Drayton: ACT PSA Territory Manager: 0419 241 344

 

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SA Government extends emergency dispensing for pharmacists

1 April 2020

 

The SA Government has made an announcement to extend the special authority for emergency supply of medicines without a prescription in a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Patients will be able to receive a maximum PBS quantity or pack size without a prescription, where the pharmacist is satisfied there is immediate need, usually a months’ supply for most medicines.

 

This provision continues to be in place while the declaration of a major emergency remains in force or until advised by the SA Government.

 

The medicine must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription.

 

PSA SA/NT President Robyn Johns congratulated the SA Government for extending the emergency supply rules.

 

“PSA fully supports and thanks the SA Government for this very sensible approach which will support patients continued access essential medicines,” she said.

 

“GPs across SA are under extreme pressure and this measure will provide certainty to patients who cannot access their usual prescriber due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.”

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has called for and worked with the SA Government to allow the continuation of emergency dispensing that was put in place during the recent bushfire crisis to ensure patients and members of the community continue to gain access to much needed medicines.”

 

This measure is also supported the recent announcement by the Federal Government where the medicine can be supplied at PBS prices under the continued dispensing arrangements.

 

Aligned with the changes to allow community pharmacists to substitute dose strengths or forms of medicines without prior approval from the prescribing doctor, if a medicine is unavailable at the time of dispensing, pharmacists are better placed to support their communities during this pandemic.

 

Specific details on substitutions have not yet been released and the changes will be implemented through the Scheduling Policy Framework and Poisons Standard soon.

 

The arrangements in South Australia excludes certain drugs including Schedule 8, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and some medications including hydroxychloroquine where prescribing is restricted to certain medical specialists.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Wellbeing to support pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: https://www.psa.org.au/coronavirus/

 

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

 

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Australians to access medicines without a prescription during COVID-19

31 March 2020

 

All Australians will be able to access their essential medicines continued by a pharmacist at PBS prices if their prescription has run out under continued dispensing arrangements announced by the Federal Government today.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the announcement made by the government which will see continued dispensing arrangements extended until at least the end of June and the implementation of medicine substitution when medicines are out of stock following consultation with states and territories.

 

“This will enable Australians to continue access their vital medicines as a “one-off” in an emergency if they cannot get a prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

 

“Subject to professional guidelines and state and territory regulation, the initiative allows for a standard pack size of most ongoing prescription medicines to be provided, usually equivalent to one month’s supply.

 

PSA has been working with the Federal Government to ensure the emergency measure is extended during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Medicines supplied under this arrangement are available at regular PBS prices – standard co-payments being $6.60 for concession card holders, and up to a maximum of $41 for general patients.

 

A/Prof Freeman congratulated the coordination of states and territories and the Commonwealth on working to enact the regulatory changes required in relation to both PBS funding and legality of supply and noted that it is understood that all states and territories if not already aligned intend to have aligning legislation.

 

“While this announcement is welcomed by PSA, we will continue to call for permanent emergency supply provisions of this nature.

 

“Whether it be a bushfire, pandemic or any other emergency, Australians need to be confident they can access medicines in an emergency from the time they strike.

 

“We will continue to work with the Federal Government, in collaboration with its state and territory counterparts, after this crisis subsides to permanently incorporate effective and nationally consistent emergency supply provisions.”

 

“As front line health professionals, pharmacists continue to play a vital role during the current COVID-19 pandemic and it is important they receive all the tools necessary to ensure they can deliver services in a timely manner that meets the health care needs of their patients and the community.”

 

The Federal Government also announced it will be implementing changes to allow community pharmacists to substitute dose strengths or forms of medicines without prior approval from the prescribing doctor, if a medicine is unavailable at the time of dispensing.

 

“PSA strongly supports this announcement having worked in partnership with the Department of Health and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia for this much needed change.
“We will continue to work with the Government on the implantation of this common sense initiative.”

 

Media contact: 0487 922 176

 

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Emergency supply of medications in Tasmania

31 March 2020

 

Tasmanians will now be allowed the supply of certain medicines by a pharmacist without a prescription following an announcement by the Tasmanian Health Minister, Sarah Courtney today.

 

The move has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Tasmanian President, Dr Ella Van Tienen and The Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmanian President, John Dowling that will ensure Tasmanians continue to receive the medical care they need.

 

These changes will help Tasmanians with ongoing medical needs, who may not have access to their valid prescription or are unable to see their usual doctor due to movement restrictions.

 

To qualify for emergency supply patients must previously have been prescribed the medicine and the pharmacist must be satisfied it is urgently needed.

 

“The changes announced today bring Tasmania into line with other jurisdictions that have made similar changes in response to COVID-19, and the recent bushfires, it’s a sensible approach which will reassure patients that they will be able to access medicines, further, the emergency supply will be covered under the PBS, meaning patients won’t pay more than the normal co-payments” said Mr Dowling.

 

“Patients running short of prescription medications will now be able to obtain additional supply under special arrangements, this change allows pharmacists to dispense prescription medications, subject to meeting certain conditions, the changes are in effect immediately until 30 June 2020,” said Dr Van Tienen.

 

The medicine must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription. In light of the developing COVID-19 pandemic, this change will enable pharmacists to best service their patients.

 

“Our patients are looking to us to provide them with medicines, on-going care, critical information and support,” said Mr Dowling.

 

We also welcomed the announcement that the Federal Government is implementing changes recommended by the both organisations to allow community pharmacists to substitute dose strengths or forms of medicines without prior approval from the prescribing doctor, if a medicine is unavailable at the time of dispensing. These changes will allow patients to receive their medicines from their pharmacist immediately.

 

PSA and the PGA will continue to work closely with the Department of Health to support pharmacists and the Tasmanian community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: https://www.psa.org.au/coronavirus/ or the Pharmacy Guild of Australia COVID-19 webpage: https://www.guild.org.au/resources/business-operations/COVID-19-Information

 

PSA contact: Paquita Sutherland, PSA TAS State Manager 0408 308 339

PGA contact: John Dowling, PGA Branch President 0408 131 094

 

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WA Health ease prescription difficulties during COVID-19

26 March 2020

 

The Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer has today announced temporary arrangements to ease prescription difficulties in response to the COVID-19 emergency, a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

PSA WA President, Dr Fei Sim congratulated WA Health and Dr Robertson for this sensible approach which will reassure patients that they will be able to access medicines.

 

Patients running short of prescription medications will now be able to obtain additional supply under special arrangements.

 

“This change allows pharmacists to dispense prescription medications, subject to meeting certain conditions. The medicine must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription,” Dr Sim said.

 

“In light of the developing COVID-19 pandemic, this change will enable pharmacists to best service their patients.

 

“Our patients are looking to us to provide them with medicines, on-going care, critical information and support.”

 

These changes have been enacted by the WA’s Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson, under the Public Health Act 2016.

 

The changes are in effect immediately until 31 May 2020.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with WA Health to support pharmacists and the Western Australian community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: www.psa.org.au/coronavirus

 

PSA contact: Christianne White, PSA WA State Manager 0415 213 661

 

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VIC Government extend emergency dispensing for pharmacists

26 march 2020

 

The Victorian Government has today made an announcement to extend the special authority for emergency supply of Schedule 4 medicines without a prescription in a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Patients will be able to receive a maximum PBS quantity or pack size until 27 September 2020 without a prescription, where the pharmacist is satisfied there is immediate need, usually a months’ supply for most medicines.

 

The medicine must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription.

 

PSA Victorian President John Jackson congratulated the Victorian Government for extending the emergency supply rules.

 

“PSA fully supports and thanks the Victorian Government for this very sensible approach which will enable patients to maintain access to their prescription medicines at time when GPs and broader health care sector are under extreme pressure”

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has called for and worked with the Victorian Government to allow the continuation of emergency dispensing that was put in place during the recent bushfire crisis to ensure patients and members of the community continue to gain access to much needed medicines.”

 

The changes are in effect from 26 March 2020 until 27 September 2020 unless earlier revoked.

 

PSA will continue to work closely with Victoria Health to support pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: www.psa.org.au/coronavirus

 

PSA contact: Stefanie Johnston 0417910738

 

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NSW Government extend emergency dispensing for pharmacists

25 March 2020

 

The New South Wales Government has today made an announcement to extend the special authority for emergency supply of medicines without a prescription, in a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Patients will be able to receive a maximum PBS quantity or pack size until 30th September 2020 without a prescription, where the pharmacist is satisfied there is immediate need.

 

The medicine must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription.

 

PSA NSW President Professor Peter Carroll congratulated the NSW Government for extending the emergency supply rules.

 

“PSA fully supports and thanks the NSW Government for this very sensible approach which will reduce the concerns of those in the community who may find it hard to access medicines in this challenging environment,” he said.

 

“This will enable patients to still have ongoing access to their regular medicines in the event that they are not able to see their doctor for a prescription or must self-isolate.

 

“We are hearing from patients that their GPs are overwhelmed and can be difficult to get an appointment. This flexible approach to health care will ensure pharmacists can continue to support the community during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has called for and worked with the NSW Government to allow the continuation of emergency dispensing that was put in place during the recent bushfire crisis to ensure patients and members of the community continue to gain access to much needed medicines.”

 

PSA will continue to work closely with NSW Health to support pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Pharmacists have full access to these resources via the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-pharmacy.aspx

 

Additional resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: www.psa.org.au/coronavirus

 

PSA contact: Simone Diamandis 0414 574 754

 

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Prescribing Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

Saturday, 21 March 2020

 

Open letter to Prescribers

 

As the National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) representing Australia’s 32,000 Pharmacists, we are providing this open letter to all Australian prescribers regarding the Prescribing hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.

 

On the background of some promising data showing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 and with President Trump’s announcement yesterday, 20 March 2020, that the drug hydroxychloroquine may support the care of patients affected by COVID-19, Australian community pharmacies have seen unprecedented demand for the drug.

 

PSA is receiving reports from Australian pharmacists that they are receiving prescriptions from: doctors prescribing for other doctors and their families; as well as dentists prescribing to the community and their families; Non-medical prescribers prescribing bulk amounts of the drug. If this medication does indeed have the efficacy that we would desire against COVID-19 then it needs to be prescribed and used judiciously. The stock of this medication needs to be managed effectively and utilised for those who may genuinely need it.

 

Our strong advice to pharmacists at this point in time, until further advice is available, is to refuse the dispensing of hydroxychloroquine if there is not a genuine need, and that need is for those indications for what it is approved for – inflammatory conditions or the suppression and treatment of malaria The current stock of hydroxychloroquine needs to be managed sensibly, it needs to be available for those who are currently being prescribed this medicine, and it may also be needed for treatment of COVID-19 in the future. We are urging pharmacists to manage their existing stock if they have it sensibly, ensuring those who are currently prescribed the medicine have an existing supply.

 

PSA will continue to work with the Minister for Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) with regards to the appropriate management of national stockpiles and medicines stock in Australia. PSA would like to keep safe any stock of hydroxychloroquine held in local pharmacies – so it is available to treat patients who genuinely need this medicine. The only way this is possible is for prescribers to not write prescriptions for this medicine as a ‘just in case’ measure and for pharmacists to refuse the supply outside of these indications at this point in time.

 

While the data may not yet be clear, if hydroxychloroquine is shown to be effective for COVID-19, we want every dose available to treat those who may require it.

 

Yours sincerely,

Associate Professor Chris Freeman

PSA National President

 

Media contact: PSA media:  0487 922 176

 

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In the spirit of reconciliation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were our first pharmacists.

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