Pharmacists and GPs must work together for the best patient outcomes

July 2, 2018

As long as there is a turf war over who delivers patient care, patients will suffer, PSA said today.

The RACGP’s attack on pharmacy health checks does not take into account the fact that these services are within a pharmacist’s scope of practice and build on the accessibility of the community pharmacy network.

As long as the services are delivered according to the pharmacy profession’s standard for screening and risk assessment, PSA as the peak national body for pharmacists supports the provision of these services within community pharmacy.

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said, “Countless pharmacies across the country have excellent working relationships with their local GPs.

“As readily accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists are many patients’ first port of call. Pharmacists use health checks to refer patients who are potentially at risk to a GP, when those patients might otherwise avoid or delay doing so.”

Dr Jackson said the Coroner’s Findings from the recent inquest into the death of a Victorian patient demonstrated the importance of the relationship between doctors and pharmacists.

According to the coroner, “Doctors and pharmacists should trust and respect each other, whilst retaining their independence.

“Similarly, whilst pharmacists should respect the doctor-patient relationship, they should not underestimate their own importance in the delivery of health care.”

Dr Jackson said, “We cannot afford to ignore this call for GPs and pharmacists to continue building respectful working relationships.

“We urge the RACGP to put aside such misdirected professional rivalries and focus on collaborating to improve Australia’s health.”

-ENDS-

Media contact:           
Jarryd Luke
Communications Officer
0487 922 176

Pharmacy Shark Tank finalists to take the plunge

July 2, 2018

PSA has announced the three finalists who will pitch their innovative pharmacy idea or product to the Pharmacy Shark Tank at PSA18 for a chance to share in a $10,000 prize pool.

Pharmacists and researchers from across the country submitted applications for the Pharmacy Shark Tank, but only three will face the sharks in front of a live audience:

• Professor Lyndal Trevena (NSW), representing a team of researchers from Sydney whose innovation will potentially eliminate future medicine dose errors
• Michelle Cassumbhoy MPS and Carson Au MPS (VIC), whose unique product aims to help cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy
• Samuel Keitaanpaa MPS (NT), whose innovation tackles medicine supply issues.

After the finalists have presented their case and fielded questions from the sharks and audience, each shark will reveal which idea they’ve chosen to invest in.

The crowd favourite will also be granted the People’s Choice Award.

The winners can use their prize money to bring their groundbreaking ideas to life.

Representing the cutting edge of the industry, the sharks include a pharmacy thought leader and researcher, a strategist, and a healthcare innovator and influencer.

Delegates can watch the action as the finalists walk the plank at the Pharmacy Shark Tank Session at PSA18 on Friday 27 July at 2.00 – 3.30 pm.

PSA18 is the flagship conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the peak national body for pharmacists.

The conference will take place from 27 to 29 July 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Sydney.

Register now at www.PSA18.com

-ENDS-

Media contact: 
Jarryd Luke
PSA Communications Officer
0487 922 176