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Tag: Pharmacist Prescribing

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NSW pharmacists to treat skin conditions in trial expansion

17 June 2024

 

 

Pharmacists in New South Wales will soon be able to supply treatment for four skin conditions under the next phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial.

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Participating NSW pharmacists who undertake additional training will be able to treat impetigo, shingles, atopic dermatitis, and mild plaque psoriasis under the trial.

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Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) New South Wales President Luke Kelly FPS welcomed the next phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial, and reaffirmed PSA’s support for pharmacists participating in the program.

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“Under the next phase of the New South Wales Pharmacy Trial community pharmacists will be trained to treat four skin conditions, making treatment for conditions including impetigo, shingles, eczema, and mild plaque psoriasis more accessible around our state,” Mr Kelly said.

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“Pharmacists are key to strengthening the healthcare system, and through the NSW Pharmacy Trial, patients have been able to access safe, quality treatment when and where they need it.

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“For skin conditions like shingles, acute eczema, mild plaque psoriasis and impetigo, providing timely, accessible treatment is critical to relieving discomfort and pain, and allow us to mitigate further complications.

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“New South Wales pharmacists have already supported thousands of patients with a range of health concerns, including uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections and extending the supply of the oral contraceptive pill. With the inclusion of skin conditions, pharmacists can continue to provide nation-leading, accessible care to patients across the state.

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Mr Kelly also welcomed increased remuneration for pharmacists providing consultations skin conditions, better reflecting clinical expertise and administration costs.

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“Increased support for pharmacists means we can ensure services remain available to patients across our state, at no cost.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Minister Park, the New South Wales Government and other stakeholders to ensure we are best responding to the health needs of our communities,” Mr Kelly said.

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New South Wales pharmacists can now enrol in and complete prerequisite training here.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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Pharmacist UTI services to be expanded across NSW

14 May 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the ‘business as usual’ availability of pharmacist treatment services for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) across the state, announced by New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park MP today.

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The announcement, made by the Minister at PSA’s Parliamentary Breakfast at Macquarie Street this morning, boosts access to UTI treatment and support through NSW pharmacies.

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From 1 June 2024, the program will no longer community pharmacies participating in the NSW Pharmacy Trial, instead being available from any eligible pharmacist across the state.

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Women aged 18 to 65 years across the state suffering from the pain and discomfort of a UTI will be able to visit their local pharmacy and access timely treatment under the care of their pharmacist.

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PSA New South Wales President Luke Kelly said the success of the UTI trial demonstrated the confidence in quality care from community pharmacists.

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“Women living in New South Wales will soon have greater access to UTI treatment through their local pharmacist under the permanent state-wide program,” Mr Kelly said.

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“Thousands of New South Wales women have already accessed timely treatment for painful and uncomfortable urinary tract infections, and now even more communities will have access to care through local pharmacists.

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“Pharmacists across New South Wales continue to work closely with GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients get the right level of care when and where they need it, referring patients to their GP or nurse practitioner if there are signs of something more serious.”

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Mr Kelly also encouraged pharmacists outside of the NSW Pharmacy Trial to ensure they are prepared for the program’s expansion.

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“PSA is proudly supporting pharmacists to deliver UTI treatment services through high-quality training and support. All NSW pharmacists can now complete online training and access key PSA resources.

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“Now is the time for pharmacists to make sure they are ready to deliver UTI treatment services, and promoting the quality use of medicines as part of service delivery.

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“I commend the New South Wales Government and Minister Park for their leadership in championing women’s health and the accessibility of health services through our state’s network of community pharmacists.”

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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Unlocking pharmacist’s potential in the QLD Scope of Practice Pilot

24 April 2024 

 

Queenslanders are set to have greater access to high-quality, primary healthcare services from today (24 April 2024) under the state government’s Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.

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Under the Pilot, trained pharmacists will be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions and better support patients with medication management through therapeutic adaptation and substitution and continued dispensing.

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PSA Queensland President Shane MacDonald welcomed Health Minister Shannon Fentiman’s announcement today in Cairns.

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“The 2020 election commitment to work with PSA, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and other stakeholders to implement this Pilot is finally being realised.  It has been a long journey, and we thank the Government for the collaborating with the profession to execute this important work.”

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“We must also acknowledge the pioneering pharmacists who, amidst their professional workload and family responsibilities, have dedicated themselves to undertake the extensive education program required to participate.

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“Better utilising the skills and accessibility of pharmacists is a great outcome for all Queenslanders,” Mr MacDonald said.

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“Queensland is already leading the nation on pharmacist vaccination scope, delivering more vaccines to more patients, and improving vaccine coverage across our state. This is a vote of confidence from the Queensland Government in the skills and expertise of our pharmacists to continue delivering safe and accessible primary health care to Queenslanders.

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“On the ten-year anniversary of the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot, which led the way on using the pharmacist workforce to vaccinate Australians, the Queensland Government once again is the trail blazer in exploring the benefits of using all health professions to their full scope.

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“Empowering pharmacists to manage common acute conditions and better support chronic disease management in community pharmacies is a progressive step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility. Piloting this initiative in Queensland will pave the way for nation-wide impact,” Mr MacDonald concluded.

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Queensland PSA Branch Committee member and Pharmacy Partner at LiveLife Pharmacy Macrossan Street (Port Douglas), James Buckley is one of the first pharmacists to complete the training and be authorised to participate.

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“I am really excited to be able to support my local community to have better access to care. Pharmacists are so accessible and our pharmacies are open late and on weekends.  It just makes sense to use us to the top of our scope.”

 

PSA is currently working with the government to become an approved training provider to support the state-wide roll out of the Pilot.

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Pilot services

Pharmacists who are approved participate in the Pilot are able to provide additional services that can be grouped into three categories:

 

Medication management services including therapeutic adaptation, therapeutic substitution and continued dispensing.

 

Autonomous prescribing for specified acute common conditions and health and wellbeing services: 

  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Acute nausea and vomiting
  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
  • Impetigo
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Mild to moderate acne
  • Acute wound management
  • Acute diffuse otitis externa
  • Acute otitis media
  • Acute mild musculoskeletal pain and inflammation
  • Smoking cessation
  • Hormonal contraception
  • Oral health screening and fluoride application
  • Travel health
  • Management of overweight and obesity

 

Protocol/structured prescribing as part of a chronic disease management program: 

  • Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Program for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia
  • Improved Asthma (and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction) Symptom Program
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Monitoring Program

 

Consumers interested in learning more can visit Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) to find participating pharmacies.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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Victorian pharmacists to treat skin conditions from March

20 February 2024

 

Pharmacists across Victoria will soon be able to supply treatment for two skin conditions under the next phase of the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot set to begin in March 2024.

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Victorian pharmacies that opt for the skin clinical stream and undertake additional training can treat herpes zoster (shingles) and a flare-up of mild plaque psoriasis.

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Management Protocols for the two skin conditions are now available.

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Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Victoria President Dr Amy Page FPS welcomed the next phase of the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, and reaffirmed PSA’s support for pharmacists participating in the program.

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“Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in managing minor ailments and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, to now include common skin conditions,” Dr Page said.

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“This is about making sure that Victorians have access to safe care when and where they need it.

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“It’s important that the pharmacists participating in the program are supported with the high-quality, best-practice knowledge and skills required to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Victorians while contributing to the success of the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot.

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“PSA is building on our existing support for Victorian pharmacists, as we prepare to launch our new training program ahead of the pilot expansion.”

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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Unleashing the potential of pharmacists: Scope of practice review

31 January 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the release of the first issue paper from the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review (the Cormack Review) last week.

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The issues paper recognises the existing barriers that are preventing Australia’s healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, from practising to their full and top of scope.

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PSA National President A/Prof Fei Sim FPS said that the paper highlights both the urgent and the long-term need for pharmacists to contribute to improving access to care and medicine safety through working to their full and top of scope.

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“The Cormack Review’s first issues paper confirms that inconsistent regulations, unnecessary restrictions on practice, and siloed workforces are having a detrimental impact on patients,” A/Prof Sim said.

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“As pharmacists, we welcome the paper as the first step in the review process, however we need to now look towards solutions.

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“PSA is making the case for solutions that recognise the potential of pharmacists as vital members of the healthcare team.

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“PSA sees a future where community pharmacies are supported and funded to fulfill their primary care role as urgent care clinics where pharmacists can triage, manage and consult on a range of acute common ailments.

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“This includes the ability to prescribe PBS medicines, harnessing the accessibility of pharmacists to deliver timely, cost-effective care – dramatically reducing patients’ out-of-pocket costs.

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“We see a future where pharmacists are embedded in multidisciplinary health care teams wherever medicines are prescribed, supplied, administered, or reviewed, and where pharmacists are utilised to support patients in managing chronic health conditions – whether that is a medicine or a referral to another healthcare provider.

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“To achieve these aims, regulatory, financial and systems barriers must be recognised and removed, and only until then, we can see the full potential of pharmacists unleashed.

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“As the next phase of consultation begins, we are continuing to advocate directly to government for the future of our profession and importantly, the future of our patients.”

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A/Prof Fei Sim currently sits on the Cormack Review’s Expert Advisory Committee, representing the pharmacy profession.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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WA women to have access to UTI care through pharmacists

4 August 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the West Australian Government’s commitment to improving access to care for thousands of women suffering from urinary tract infections each year.

 

From today, 4 August 2023, pharmacists who have undergone specific training will be able to prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients aged 18 to 65 years old. The training is now available to all WA pharmacists.

 

PSA Western Australia President Kristian Ray welcomed the move, saying that patient’s access to care should be front of mind.

 

“Pharmacists are well positioned to play a greater role in primary health care and will make UTI treatments more accessible for more West Australians,” Mr Ray said.

 

“There are hundreds of thousands of women living in Western Australia that will benefit from this policy, particularly in rural and remote WA where there are significant barriers to accessing timely care.

 

“This program is about improving access to care where it is clinically appropriate, and working with the rest of the primary care team to promote a collaborative care model for Western Australians.

 

“There are robust referral pathways in place for patients who suffer from recurring UTIs, or might fall outside of the clinical inclusion criteria.

 

“As some of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities.

 

“As pharmacists, we are committed to working collaboratively with the entire health sector to deliver best outcomes for patients.

 

“I am looking forward to working closely with the Government to ensure the success of the program, improving access to safe, timely care,” Mr Ray concluded.

 

The PSA training program Managing Uncomplicated Cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection) is now available to all WA pharmacists. More information is available here.

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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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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