Leading innovation in Quality Use of Medicines as PSA’s impact grows
14 November 2024
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today released its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the meaningful, real-world impact of its projects across the healthcare sector in 2024. From developing pharmacists’ roles in palliative care and Aboriginal health services to pioneering mental health and loneliness training, PSA is leading the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) agenda, driving medicine safety and improving access to care for Australians.
PSA’s Projects team managed over 40 initiatives in the 2023-24 financial year, partnering with government bodies, Primary Health Networks, and other health stakeholders to address priority health areas. The Impact Report showcases these projects, including:
Accessible first aid in a mental health crisis: Upskilling more than 400 pharmacists and pharmacy staff in South Australia to recognise early warning signs of mental ill health, with 97.3% of participants reporting increased confidence in providing initial support.
Tackling the loneliness epidemic: A world-first training initiative that addresses loneliness as a health risk, with more than 1,200 pharmacists enrolling in this program in its first three months, giving them tools to tackle social isolation and improve patient outcomes.
Pharmacists supporting palliative care: Establishing foundation training pathways for pharmacists to upskill in palliative care, as well as preparing to pilot 6 new models of community palliative care pharmacist roles in 2025/26.
The report also highlights the personal impact of these projects, including stories of pharmacists like Natasha, who are on the ground supporting rural patients in end-of-life care, demonstrating the critical role pharmacists can play in improving comfort, access, and safety for patients managing terminal conditions.
On the release of PSA’s first Impact Report, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS expresses gratitude to all involved stakeholders and highlights the importance of engaging with the health sector through project partnerships.
“As the government-recognised peak body representing all 39,000 pharmacists across all areas of practice, we are proud to be connecting pharmacists and health sector innovators to improve healthcare for all Australians,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“This Impact Report showcases projects that drive the Quality Use of Medicines and medicine safety, that enhance access to care and expand scope of practice through new pharmacy services, from palliative care to upskilling our workforce in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and mental health care.
“These projects equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and make meaningful impact in their communities. Each project serves as a vital resource, contributing to the ongoing growth and adaptability of the pharmacy profession.
“Projects are fundamental to allow innovative ideas to be trialled, validated and improved, and importantly generate the evidence that is needed to enable widescale implementation and translation into everyday policy and practice.
“I’d like to thank all the stakeholders and partners who worked with PSA over the past 12 months, and all the pharmacists who have engaged with training or put their hand up to be part of a practice trial. The success of these programs and the positive impact on patient care is only possible with your support,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.
The PSA 2024 Impact Report is available for download on the PSA website here.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
