fbpx

Tag: SA

Contact Us

Contact us on 1300 369 772 Monday to Friday, business hours

Share this page

South Australian pharmacists welcome oral contraception access

11 April 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the announcement of oral contraceptive pill resupply services through South Australian community pharmacies from May 2024.

 

Announced by SA Health Minister Chris Picton MP today, the Community Pharmacy Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) Resupply Services Scheme authorises appropriately trained pharmacists to resupply certain oral contraceptive pills to South Australian women* aged 17 to 50.

​

It is a requirement that the requested OCP was initiated by a medical practitioner or other authorised prescriber, and the patient has a history of stable continuous use for a minimum of 2 years prior to resupply through community pharmacy. Medicines included in the protocol include low and standard dose estrogen, and progestogen only contraceptive pills.

​

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President Dr Manya Angley FPS said the move secures timely access to care for thousands of women.

 

“Improving the accessibility to and continuity of contraceptive medicines is essential to empower women to manage their reproduction. This program will make oral contraception more accessible to more South Australian women, particularly those in regional and rural areas,” Dr Angley said.

 

“Pharmacists are also some of the most accessible health care professionals, giving consumers safe, and equitable access to quality health care and advice as well as provision of medicines, now including approved oral contraceptive pills.”

 

Dr Angley said that pharmacists can now complete PSA’s Contraception Essentials online training module in preparation for the program’s start on 6 May 2024.

 

“PSA’s Contraception Essentials online training program is open for enrolment to support pharmacists with the required approved, high-quality education ahead of the program’s start.

 

“I strongly encourage all South Australian pharmacists to complete the PSA training program now so that services can be delivered immediately,” Dr Angley said.

 

* These services are inclusive of transgender, gender diverse, intersex or non-binary people assigned or presumed female at birth.

​

​

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

Share this page
Share this page

SA expands pharmacy services to UTI treatment, 24/7 pharmacy opens

6 February 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the opening of the first 24/7 community pharmacy in Adelaide over the weekend by SA Health Minister Chris Picton.

​

At the opening, Minister Picton also announced that pharmacists who undergo additional training will be able to supply treatment for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) from March 2024.

​

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President Dr Manya Angley FPS said that the round-the-clock access to medicines and health advice – including treatment for uncomfortable UTIs – gives consumers confidence in accessibility to health care.

​

“With support from the State Government, consumers in Adelaide now have 24-hour access to pharmacists, providing peace of mind that if they get sick or need after hours health advice, they will be able to access expert care from a trusted health professional,” Dr Angley said.

​

“Health care needs can change unpredictably at all hours of the day or night. People who require medicines for pain management or other palliative care medicines can be assured they can access them around-the-clock, along with the advice and expertise of pharmacists ready to help.

​

“Pharmacists are critical to improving the accessibility of care and reducing unnecessary stress on our hospital systems, helping to triage, manage and consult on acute common ailments like uncomplicated UTIs.

​

“Giving consumers an option for acute care outside of visiting an emergency department is key, especially out of hours where there are fewer options for care.

​

“PSA is looking forward to continuing our work with the South Australian Government and Minister Picton to further improve access to quality healthcare, utilising South Australia’s excellent pharmacists.”

​

PSA’s Managing uncomplicated cystitis training program is now available to all South Australian pharmacists. Successful completion allows the pharmacist to provide an assessment and treatment, if deemed appropriate, for uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 18 to 65, once the program commences in March 2024.

​

National Pharmacies in Norwood, South Australia is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chemist Warehouse at the Saints Shopping Centre in Salisbury Plain and Chemist Warehouse at Clovelly Park will begin operating 24/7 in coming weeks.

 

 

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

Share this page
Share this page

SA announces expanded vaccinations ahead of 1 Jan

22 December 2023

 

The South Australian Government have today announced expanded scope of pharmacist immunisers, allowing the administration of vaccines from 5 years of age as per both the South Australian and National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedules This means from 1 January 2024, eligible patients can receive all vaccines on the NIP schedule in pharmacies free of charge.

​

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS welcomed the move.

​

“Improving access to  and removing cost barriers to receiving NIP vaccines in community pharmacies is a big win for South Australians,” Dr Angley said.

​

“As a state our focus should be on removing barriers to vaccination, cutting the red tape that prevents qualified pharmacist immunisers from delivering more vaccines to more people while easing pressure on GPs.

​

“For pharmacists this is not only an opportunity to provide more vaccination services but also to drive public health messaging, encouraging vaccine uptake particularly in vulnerable cohorts.

​

“Our health system needs all immunisers to play a role in delivering vaccines wherever there is a patient need.

 

“I am proud to see years of PSA’s advocacy has led to real outcomes not only for the pharmacists who will be able to play a greater role in delivering vaccines, but for our communities who will be able to access eligible vaccines closer to home, at their convenience.

​

“We look forward to continuing to work with SA Health and the SA Government to ensure that all South Australians have access to quality health care, no matter where they live,” Dr Angley concluded.

​

​

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

Share this page
Share this page

SA’s 24/7 pharmacies deliver quality care and peace of mind

4 December 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Malinauskas Government’s investment in supporting pharmacies to open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to deliver expert care when and where South Australians need it.

​

Three pharmacies have been selected to participate in the program, covering Central, North and South Adelaide.

​

PSA South Australia President Dr Manya Angley FPS said the government’s support for around-the-clock access to pharmacist expertise will reduce pressure on emergency departments.

​

“Many South Australian parents know the stress of sick kids, especially when illness strikes overnight,” Dr Angley said.

​

“24-hour access to pharmacists gives Adelaide residents the peace of mind that if they get sick or need after hours health advice, they will be able to access expert care from a trusted health professional.

​

“Giving South Australians another option for after-hours care will improve health outcomes, while also reducing pressure on our emergency departments.

​

“We know that 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year, with another 400,000 presenting to emergency departments as a result of medication misadventure.

​

“Health care needs can change unpredictably at all hours of the day or night. People who require medicines for pain management or other palliative care medicines can be assured they can access them around-the-clock, along with the advice and expertise of pharmacists ready to help.

​

“PSA is looking forward to continuing our work with the South Australian Government to improve access to quality healthcare through our excellent pharmacists.”

​

​

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

Share this page
Share this page

South Australian women to have greater access to health care

20 November 2023

 

South Australian women will soon be able to access medication for a urinary tract infection (UTI) and a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill from their local pharmacist.

​

From March 2024, women aged 18 to 65 experiencing symptoms consistent with an uncomplicated UTI will be able to speak to trained community pharmacists for assessment and access to a one-off course of antibiotics, if they meet specific clinical criteria.

​

From May 2024, women will also be able to obtain a resupply of their oral contraceptive from trained community pharmacies without a prescription.

​

Every community pharmacist in South Australia will be able to take part in additional training to offer both programs which are modelled on services already operating in other states.

​

These measures were key recommendations made by a South Australian parliamentary committee, chaired by Jayne Stinson MP, which investigated UTIs and access to treatment for women in SA.

​

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) South Australia President Dr Manya Angley welcomed the move.

​

“PSA welcomes Minister Picton’s move to give South Australians greater access to safe health care when and where they need it,” Dr Angley said.

​

“We know that around half of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and that timely access to treatment is key to alleviating discomfort and preventing further complications or hospitalisation.

​

“Pharmacists in South Australia will be able to better support contraceptive adherence as well as saving patients time and money.

​

“Pharmacists are key to strengthening the health care system. Regional and rural communities across South Australia will benefit enormously from being able to access treatment from their local pharmacist, freeing up our hardworking rural GPs for more complex patient needs.

​

“I join pharmacists across South Australia in saying that we look forward to working with the Minister and SA Health to ensure that these programs are implemented with the health needs of women at the core,” Dr Angley concluded.

​

​

​

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

Share this page
Share this page

Parliamentary Committee supports pharmacist-initiated UTI treatment in SA

27 September 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the final report of the Select Committee on Access to Urinary Tract Infection Treatment tabled in the South Australian Parliament today.

​

The report recommends that:

  • antibiotic medication to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) be made available from South Australian pharmacists;
  • the program be permanent; and
  • that the model be implemented as soon as practicable.

 

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President Dr Manya Angley FPS-AACPA welcomed the report’s recommendations, calling on Health Minister Chris Picton MP to accept them in full.

 

“By implementing the Committee’s recommendations, the South Australian Government has the opportunity to improve access to care for patients across our state,” Dr Angley said.

 

“Almost all Australians will soon have access to treatment for UTIs from their local pharmacist as more programs are stood up. We cannot let South Australia fall behind.

 

“Regional and rural communities across South Australia will benefit enormously from being able to access treatment from their local pharmacist, freeing up our hardworking rural GPs for more complex patient needs.

​

“We know that around half of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and that timely access to treatment is key to alleviating discomfort and preventing further complications or hospitalisation.

 

“As healthcare professionals we have a duty to provide timely, appropriate care to our patients, which means empowering our communities to access care in a way that best suits them.

​

“PSA strongly supports the recommendations made in the Committee’s final report, and calls on the Minister to action them as soon as possible.

​

“I join pharmacists across South Australia in saying that we forward to working with the Minister and SA Health to ensure that the program is implemented with the needs of patients at its core,” Dr Angley concluded.

​

​The Select Committee on Access to Urinary Tract Infection Treatment’s final report can be found here.

​

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

Share this page

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.

© 2024 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. All rights reserved.