Pharmacists to better support patients with insomnia and sleep health
25 October 2023
Pharmacists will soon have access to nation-leading sleep health education and resources to support patients experiencing insomnia. PSA will work as part of a consortium led by the Australasian Sleep Association, to deliver the Quality Use of Medicines for Insomnia and Sleep Health (QUMISH) project.
The grant will run over a 2-year period and address quality use of medicines issues for insomnia, awarded under the Australian Government’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) Program.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said the funding supports quality use of medicines as a national health priority.
“Every day pharmacists are supporting patients with their sleep health,” Dr Sim said.
“Most Australians experience insomnia at some stage in their lives, with about 1 in 10 people experiencing insomnia symptoms at any given time.
“As some of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists are ideally placed to identify patients with insomnia who need further support.
“Through education and resources developed with the Australasian Sleep Association and other stakeholders, pharmacists will have confidence in providing high-quality, consistent care for Australians experiencing insomnia.
“PSA is proud to take a collaborative approach to upskilling pharmacists with evidence-based training on the quality use of medicines for insomnia, as well as other first line strategies for improving sleep health.
“Pharmacists will have access to webinars, CPD articles and in-person education at PSA’s Pharmacist Therapeutic Updates and national conference.
“I strongly encourage all pharmacists to engage with this education and recognise that opportunistic interventions by community pharmacists are key to improving sleep health for all Australians,” Dr Sim concluded.
PSA is delivering education in consortium with the Australasian Sleep Association, the Sleep Health Foundation and the University of Sydney.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
