PSA welcomes re-election of New South Wales Government

Sunday 24 March 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), in congratulating the return of the Berejiklian Government, asks them to commit to improving the health of the NSW community through supporting the vital role of pharmacists in the NSW healthcare system.

 

PSA NSW President Professor Peter Carroll said pharmacists’ unique expertise in the safe and effective use of medicines meant their role should be expanded to deliver care wherever medicines were used.

 

“The entire pharmacy workforce should be invested in to deliver safer, more effective and accessible care across NSW,” Prof Carroll said.

 

“PSA welcomes the re-election of the Liberal Party and congratulates them on the effective health policies they have already implemented in relation to vaccinations.

 

“PSA recently released our Pharmacists in 2023 report to highlight that pharmacists must be empowered to do more than the current healthcare system allows them to do.

 

“This is about the health of the public in NSW. We simply must be able to use more effectively the workforce that we have in pharmacists, across hospitals, in community pharmacy and in other areas.

 

“Giving consumers in NSW access to the influenza vaccine in community pharmacies has been a huge success.

 

“Pharmacist-administered flu vaccination has led to greater uptake amongst the community, increasing NSW’s overall herd immunity for these preventable diseases.”

 

A 2018 nationwide YouGov Galaxy poll showed that two-in-three Australians believe pharmacists should be able to administer common vaccines with greater convenience cited as a benefit.

 

“Pharmacists in NSW have also been protecting people 16 years and over from whooping cough and measles since January,” Prof Carroll said.

 

“PSA urges the Government to take full advantage of the pharmacist workforce by expanding pharmacist-administered vaccinations to make it easier for people to access adult pneumococcal and other vaccines.”

 

PSA also believes there are opportunities to provide the community with better access to specific prescription medicines for acute conditions by utilising the skills and expertise of trained pharmacists.

 

“Pharmacists can ease the burden on the health system and now is the time to commit to new reforms that allow them to provide better health outcomes for NSW,” Prof Carroll said.

 

Media contact:
Jarryd Luke
Senior Communications Officer
0487 922 176