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Extraordinary Queensland pharmacists recognised

23 March 2021

 

Queensland pharmacists and their contribution to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders has been recognised at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA’s) Queensland Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU) conference on the weekend.

 

Queensland PSA Branch President, Shane MacDonald, presented awards in Surfer’s Paradise on Saturday night to the awardees, including:

• Bridget Totterman MPS, Queensland Pharmacist of the Year (Bowl of Hygiea)
• Hannah Knowles MPS, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
• Joshua Clements, James Dare Graduate of the Year
• Gilbert Yeates MPS, Gold Medal – Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Mr MacDonald said the awards recognised the outstanding contribution of the winners alongside the vital role pharmacists provided to communities throughout Queensland.

 

“These awards highlight the incredible talent that we have across the depth and breadth the of pharmacy profession in Queensland. The winners have truly embodied PSA’s vision for the profession Pharmacists in 2023 and have all clearly demonstrated their contribution to the profession in Queensland.”

 

“For example, Bridget has demonstrated leadership and drive for improvement in medicine safety and medicine management systems. Her role has fostered rapid translation and adoption of new protocols and digital initiatives across pharmacy and general practice, clearly demonstrated during the COVID pandemic.”

PSA has also recognised the contribution of pharmacists who have been elevated to the honour of PSA Fellowship. This year both Joyce McSwan FPS and Beverly Glass FPS were conferred as PSA Fellows.

 

Awardee profiles

 

Bridget Totterman, Queensland Pharmacist of the Year

 

Bridget was awarded Queensland Pharmacist of the Year for outstanding leadership and change management.

 

Bridget is the Chief Operating Officer of the White Retail – White Medical Group, Clinical Fellow of the Queensland University of Technology, pharmacy owner and member of PSA’s Queensland Branch Committee.

 

She leads and manages seven pharmacies and eight medical practices, alongside being the business owner of an additional four pharmacies

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Bridget demonstrates exceptional leadership, business acumen and change management within her career.”

 

“PSA commends Bridget for building front-line health care teams in primary care, across both  pharmacy and general practice and for her contribution to the profession across in immunisation, palliative care initiatives, the urinary tract infection pilot and now supporting COVID vaccination.”

 

 

Hannah Knowles, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

 

The Early Career Pharmacist Award has gone to Hannah Knowles for her contribution towards the transitions of care and action for change. Hannah’s work and advocacy saw the PSA secure an election promise from the Palaszczuk government to look at best practice transitions of care across all 16 Hospital and Health Services.

 

Since coming on board as a PSA branch committee member, Hannah has provided incredible insight from her hospital residency, community pharmacy and through to her contribution in FIP committees.

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Her willingness to contribute and lead and support fellow early career pharmacists is exceptional, a worthy winner of the Queensland PSA Early Career Pharmacist Award”

 

 

Joshua Clements, James Dare PSA Graduate of the Year

 

James was recognised for his academic excellence and contribution to his pharmacy community. Mr Clements was awarded the Bachelor of Pharmacy with Distinction from Griffith University in December 2020. Joshua earned the Griffith University Awards for Academic Excellence for every year of his enrolment, from 2017 to 2020

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Joshua is a gregarious and highly motivated student, with a passion for the pharmacy profession and demonstrated leadership among his peers. He is an eager contributor to his pharmacy community and exhibits the best values of our profession’s code of ethics.”

 

 

Gilbert Yeates, Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Gilbert has been an active member of the PSA for over 45 years, and State Councillor from 2007-2014. He is recognised for his significant and ongoing contribution to the profession over many years and across all walks of practice, from community, hospital, academia, professional development, policy, advocacy and professional indemnity.

 

Quotes attributable to Mr Shane MacDonald:

 

“Gilbert is well respected by his patients and peers for his confidential and expert advice on professional responsibilities. He engages with those at all levels of the profession, and generously provides counsel to many pharmacists in official and informal capacities,”

 

“His ongoing contribution to community and hospital pharmacy, academia, professional development, policy, advocacy, and professional indemnity is outstanding.”

 

“There has not been an issue relating to the practice of pharmacy in recent history that Gilbert has not been involved with and significantly contributed to, from pharmacist immunisation though to medication management, prescribing and practitioner development. The profession has a lot to be thankful for”.

 

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

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Victoria Pre Budget Submission 2021-22

Medicines are the most common intervention in health care. Concerningly, problems with the use of medicines are also alarmingly common. In Australia, 250,000 hospital admissions a year are a result of medicine-related problems.

 

The annual cost of these admissions is $1.4 billion; 50% of this harm is preventable. This burden of harm is felt in Victoria just like it is throughout Australia.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia recommends provision is made in the 2021/2022 Financial Year Victorian Government Budget in four areas of actions.

 

Read the submission here: Victorian Budget Submission 21-22

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Academic Advisory Committee

Role

 

The role of the Academic Advisory Committee is to provide high level expert advice to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and management team on contemporary and relevant education and training related issues and opportunities.

 

Specifically, to advise on:

 

  1. local and international trends on education and training design and delivery
  2. local and international trends in pharmacy practice, including digital delivery, contemporary learning methods and innovative assessment methods
  3. factors that influence the pharmacists’ role in health care provision
  4. areas for capacity building and improving professional practice and service delivery across the pharmacy profession in Australia
  5. national priority areas for PSA’s education and training programs across the various practice settings
  6. the participant learning experience
  7. target audiences and associated needs
  8. potential opportunities for collaboration with other organisations

 

Operating Parameters

 

Committee representatives will be appointed for a 2 year term.

 

Committee members may nominate a proxy to Committee meetings, provided they are fully briefed and competent to act as a proxy, as determined by the Committee Chair. The Committee member needs to consult with the Chair before nominating a proxy.

 

The line of reporting for the Committee is directly to the CEO.

 

The General Manager – Knowledge Development and General Manager – Education and Training Delivery, and relevant staff of the respective business units will attend all Committee meetings. Other staff may attend meetings as required and agreed by the Committee Chair and CEO.

 

PSA Academic Advisory Committee_.TOR 2020

 

Please fill out the below form and return to education@psa.org.au by Sunday 6 December 2020

 

Academic Advisory Committee EOI Form

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Three new PSA Fellows recognised for contribution to pharmacy

Tuesday 21 September 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced three new Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contribution to PSA and the pharmacy profession.

 

The three recipients Luke Kelly (NSW), Patricia Payne (NSW) and Dr Tin Fei Sim (WA) were recognised as part of World Pharmacists Week having achieved a significant advancement in the practice of pharmacy over an extended period of time.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman congratulated the new Fellows and acknowledged the significant impact they have made to pharmacy throughout their careers.

 

“All three of these pharmacists have displayed a significant contribution to the profession and are worthy of being elevated to the status of Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia,” he said.

 

“Fellowships of PSA are a prominent acknowledgement of those who have provided an outstanding contribution to the Society or the profession for an extended period of time.

 

“On behalf of PSA, I thank them for their ongoing service and dedication to improving pharmacy practice and patient care.”

 

The 2020 PSA Fellows are:

 

Luke Kelly, NSW

 

Mr Kelly has been instrumental in engaging pharmacists in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region. When Mr Kelly became President of the Newcastle Hunter Valley Association he was proactive in reaching out to the peak body (PSA) to coordinate and run educational workshops to support the needs of pharmacists within his region. He has supported and coordinated educational opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy students in the area and is an absolute champion of pharmacy initiatives in the Newcastle Hunter region. This has facilitated a successful partnership between, PSA, pharmacists and the Hunter New England Central Coast PHN – broadening the opportunities pharmacists have to work within multidisciplinary teams as well as building the capacity of the pharmacists workforce to better service the needs of the community.  Over his time as a business owner and lecturer in clinical leadership at the University of Newcastle, Mr Kelly has been an outstanding role model to students and has mentored many early career pharmacists with valuable coaching on the importance of running a professional business in a challenging and competitive environment.  Mr Kelly has also been integral in supporting the roll out of My Health Record in community pharmacies – working with the PHN to provide instore support to its uptake and use.

 

Patricia Payne, NSW

 

Mrs Payne has been a long-standing member of the pharmacy profession and PSA and her contribution to the profession has been outstanding not only at a local level but also on an international standing. Mrs Payne was instrumental in establishing an active women in pharmacy group in NSW in the late 1990’s and is still active to this day. In addition to the promotion of female pharmacists’ in NSW, Mrs Payne also established women in pharmacy events at several International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) conferences. Mrs Payne has held executive positions on the Community Pharmacy Section of FIP and has been an active member of the Board of Pharmaceutical Practice (BPP). Not only has Mrs Payne spent her life providing services to patients in a community pharmacy, she has also helped to raise money and awareness of children’s genetic disorders. Through charity events over many years, Mrs Payne has raised millions of dollars for important research and has been able to utilise her pharmacist skills to take on this extended role.

 

Dr Tin Fei Sim, WA

 

Dr Sim has been in practice for 10 years, yet her achievements and contribution to the advancements of the pharmacy profession in Western Australia and nationally would be impressive spread across a lifetime. Dr Sim is a partner-proprietor of two pharmacies in WA and has created the new “Caring Pharmacy” banner group to promote pharmacy practice with the emphasis on provision of professional services. Dr Sim has served the profession through her involvement in a number of PSA committees. In her role as President of the PSA WA Branch she has had a major impact on the delivery of professional services in WA pharmacies. Dr Sim is a highly successful teacher of pharmacy practice and pharmacotherapy to pharmacy students for 10 years also negotiating the inclusion of Mental Health First Aid and immunisation into the pharmacy programmes, ensuring Curtin University’s pharmacy graduates enter the profession with enhanced skills. Dr Sim is an outstanding role model who has been recognised with the awards of WA Young Pharmacist of the Year in 2018 and national Early Career Pharmacist of the year in 2019.

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

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COVID-19 PPE ALERT: Eye protection now recommended for procedures

In addition to face masks, DHHS now advises all Victorian health care workers wear eye protection in direct patient treatment:

 

Eye protection (includes safety glasses, goggles or face shields) should be worn whenever there is the risk of splash or splattering of blood or body fluids, secretions or excretions.

 

PSA considers this to apply to the following:

 

  • Point-of-care tests including blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring
  • Vaccination
  • CPAP services (e.g. mask-fitting)
  • Provision of first aid
  • Wound care
  • Some consultation services
  • Any other service where there is a risk of contact with body fluids

 

You may also wish to wear eye protection in other situations where you consider contact with body fluids is a risk.  For example, PSA are aware some hospital pharmacy departments are requiring staff in outpatient pharmacy services to wear eye protection.

 

DHHS has provided PSA advice that pharmacists should minimise risk by erring on the side of caution; citing that if staff are directly interacting with the public and there is no screen, or a screen is not practical, eye protection is required.

 

Notes for using eye protection

 

  • Some face shields are single-use only, while others can be reused
  • Reusable googles and face shields must be removed, cleaned and disinfected between use according to manufacturer’s instructions
  • Eye protection is additional to the requirement for use of face masks and other infection control measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene and staying home if sick.

 

PSA recommends all pharmacists immediately adopt this advice. These recommendations reflect DHHS’s PPE guidance for Tier 1 – Area of higher clinical risk requirements. Higher levels of precaution are needed where there is contact with a person who is known or suspected to have COVID-19.

 

Recommendations continue to evolve as the evidence-base and Victorian epidemiology evolves. PSA will continue to keep you updated via email, the COVID-19 microsite and ECP Facebook page.

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PSA submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is pleased to make this submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (the ‘Royal Commission’) in response to the Issues paper on Health care for people with cognitive disability. For the purpose of the Issues paper, PSA understands “people with cognitive disability” include people with intellectual disability, autism, acquired brain injury or dementia.

 

PSA_sub_DisabilityRC_050820_final

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Returns Policy

This policy includes rights you are entitled to under Australian Consumer Law.

 

Changing or Cancelling of Orders

 

If you need to change or cancel your order then please contact PSA Customer Support on

 

1300 369 772 as soon as possible.

 

Changes to orders are available for a limited time:

  • 2 hours for in stock items
  • 1 business day for out of stock items

 

A refund is only possible if changes or cancellations are advised before the above cut off times. Note that cancellations and refunds are not possible for the following product types:

  1. Gift certificates
  2. eBooks
  3. Other digital content
  4. Bulk orders where special pricing or product sourcing has been agreed
  5. Print on demand titles
  6. Sale items
  7. Superseded stock items
  8. Membership.

 

 

RETURNS AND REFUNDS POLICY

 

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then please contact PSA Customer Support on 1300 369 772 as soon as possible.

 

If you have received an item that is incorrect, damaged or faulty we require notification within 2 business days from the time the delivery was made. PSA will require evidence of the issue and may require you to return the item for assessment.

 

PSA is not obligated to accept a return for a change of mind. If we do accept a change of mind return then you must pay return postage and will only be entitled to a credit, excluding the cost of shipping, for the approved returned item.

 

Returned items must be:

  • Packed securely with cardboard or bubble wrap protecting the item
  • Packed to prevent movement inside the package and ensuring the package is firmly enclosed
  • Received at PSA in new and re-saleable condition (except where a damaged item has been accepted for return)

 

Where an item has not been packed securely, or is not in a new or re-saleable condition when it arrives at PSA’s Distribution Centre, PSA is not obligated to provide a refund or credit and the item may be returned to you. We will contact you to advise of the return status.

 

Credits and refunds for an approved return will only apply to the item returned and will not cover any return postage costs or your original shipping charge.

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Mental Health Pharmacy Trial to commence soon

Wednesday July 29 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Guild), Griffith University (GU) and The University of Sydney (USYD) are pleased to announce that The Bridging the Gap between Physical and Mental Illness in Community Pharmacy (PharMIbridge) trial is set to commence in a few months’ time.

 

This study, co-led by highly respected pharmacy and mental health researchers Professor Amanda Wheeler (GU) and Dr Claire O’Reilly (USYD), focuses on individualised medicine support, adherence and mental and physical wellbeing for people living with severe and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar and severe depression.

 

The National President of the Pharmacy Guild, George Tambassis, said community pharmacists were playing an increasingly important role in the area of mental health.

 

“As the most accessible of all health professionals, community pharmacists are often the first people mental health patients turn to for help and advice.  Many pharmacists have undergone additional training to help them identify patients who may be suffering mental illness.

 

“Pharmacists also are critical in helping patients adhere to their medicine regimens to ensure they  get best possible outcomes from the medicines they have been prescribed.

 

“This project is an exciting and important initiative to broaden the role of pharmacists in helping patients with mental illness.”

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said as medicines experts, pharmacists play a vital role in treating mental illness in the community.

 

“Medicines are an important component of treatment for people living with mental illness which is why pharmacists, as medicines experts, have a critical role to play, however that should not limit our role,” he said.

 

“Pharmacists serve as a critical element in the healthcare team, working with patients to manage their conditions, often as a conduit to other services, an advocate for the person, or to lend a compassionate ear.”

 

The RCT will be conducted in four study regions: Hunter New England and Northern Sydney regions in NSW, Gippsland region in Victoria, and ACT. Participating community pharmacies will be remunerated to support training attendance and to deliver either the PharMIbridge (intervention) or study funded MedsCheck (comparator) service.

 

If you would like further information, please email pharmibridge@griffith.edu.au or visit griffith.edu.au/pharmibridge.

 

This project is part of the Pharmacy Trial Program funded under the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

 

PSA Media contact: 0487 922 176

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QLD women can now access immediate treatment for UTI’s through community pharmacies

Queensland women will now be able to seek immediate advice and treatment, inclusive of the supply of antibiotics when appropriate, for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) through their local community pharmacy. With one in two Australian women experiencing a UTI in their lifetime1, being able to receive early, convenient and effective treatment from their local participating community pharmacy is a huge advancement for women’s health.

 

The Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot – Queensland (UTIPP-Q) reached a key milestone today with the Queensland Government releasing the Drug Therapy Protocol – Pharmacist UTI Trial. The endorsed model of care enables eligible community pharmacists participating in the pilot to provide empirical treatment to non-pregnant women with acute uncomplicated cystitis, through the supply of antibiotics.

 

The Drug Therapy Protocol is another positive step forward for the historic pilot, which has already seen success with a large majority of community pharmacies to participate across Queensland.

 

The  Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Queensland Branch Manager Chris Campbell said the quality and skill of pharmacists in Queensland has been clearly demonstrated and supported by the Queensland Department of Health with this pilot.

 

“This brings access to Queensland women a service already successful in other countries and is welcomed with the back drop of COVID19, a time when pharmacists have kept the doors open to provide quality primary healthcare to Queenslanders.”

 

Professor Lisa Nissen from QUT, Pilot and Consortium Lead said “this is another fantastic opportunity for pharmacists to increase their contribution to patient care in the community. We are looking forward to evaluating the outcomes.”

 

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland, Branch President Adjunct Professor Trent Twomey thanked the Queensland Government for continuing to realise the value of community pharmacy in delivering accessible primary healthcare.

 

“Community  pharmacists stand prepared and waiting to increase their scope of practice and deliver more health services to Queenslanders. We have seen first-hand the importance of community pharmacy this year with consumers relying heavily on their trusted community pharmacy for healthcare advice and flu immunisation throughout the pandemic.”

 

“Pharmacists  complete a minimum five years of training as well as on-going, mandatory professional development and have specialist training prior to participating in the UTI Pilot3.”

 

Professor Twomey  said that community pharmacy is well placed to reduce unnecessary hospitalisations and strain on Government resources due to uncomplicated urinary tract infections, particularly in a time when we have seen the coronavirus pandemic impact many GP and hospital resources.

“Community  pharmacists are conveniently located across Queensland with extended opening hours and no appointments necessary. Most community pharmacies are located within 2.5km of Queenslanders, which ensures that women experiencing a UTI can be seen and treated immediately to avoid further complications that could result in hospitalisations.”

 

Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot – Queensland (UTIPP-Q): The Facts

 

1.  Following on from Recommendation Two in the 2018 Parliamentary Inquiry into Community Pharmacy, the Queensland Department of Health opened a tender for providers to develop and implement a pilot that will allow trained community pharmacists to provide appropriate treatment for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).

 

2. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is part of a consortium led by QUT which was successful in winning the tender for the pilot. The pilot framework, clinical protocol, ethics and software platforms have been developed.

 

3. The pilot will be open to non-pregnant women, aged 18-65 who are deemed to have an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Men will not be eligible to be treated as part of the pilot as symptoms are not reflective of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. The pilot will run for two years, from Friday 19 June.

 

4. The pilot is open to all Queensland pharmacies that are accredited through the Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP).

 

5. Participating pharmacists have undergone additional mandatory training to assess, diagnose and offer appropriate treatment to patients as part of the pilot. The approved online CPD training is available through both the Guild and PSA Learning and Development platform.

 

6. Treatment options may include a supply of antibiotics (if appropriate). If, through the screening process, the patient is deemed to not have an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, their treatment options may include a referral to a GP for further investigation, as covered in the PSA Guidance for provision of antibiotics for acute uncomplicated cystitis in females (the practice standard).

 

7. There is a precedent for pharmacist prescribing regarding treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in other OECD countries, including NZ and UK.

 

8. Community pharmacy is easily accessible. In capital cities, 97% of consumers are no further than 2.5km from a community pharmacy. In regional areas, 65% of people are within 2.5 km of a pharmacy.

 

9. Community pharmacies are the most frequently accessed and most accessible health destination, with over 456 million individual patient visits annually and the vast majority of pharmacies open after-hours, including weekends.

 

10.Pharmacists are one of the most trusted professions. Public opinion surveys have shown that 84% of adults trust the advice they receive from pharmacists.

 

11. Community pharmacists are accessible and understand this target demographic. At 30 September 2019, there were 32,035 registered pharmacists in Australia. 62.8% of pharmacists are women; and over 60% are under 40 years of age.

Footnotes

  1. AIHW data, Potentially preventable hospitalisations, 2017-18, Queensland. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-health-care/potentially-preventable-hospitalisations/data
  2. Kidney Health Australia Fact Sheet: https://kidney.org.au/cms_uploads/docs/urinary-tract-infections-fact-sheet.pdf
  3. All participating pharmacists are required to undertake mandatory training prior to administering the service. This education is independently accredited with a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accrediting organisation that adheres to the Australian Pharmacy Council’s (APC) Standards and Guidelines.

Media contact: PSA media: 0487 922 176

 

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is the peak national professional pharmacy organisation, representing Australia's 37,000+ pharmacists in all sectors and across all locations, working in or towards a career in pharmacy. Registered training organisation code: 122206 ABN:49 008 532 072 ACN:008 532 072

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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