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South Australian pharmacists set to boost health care access as scope of practice expands

25 September 2024

 

South Australians will soon be able to access health care for a range of conditions from their local pharmacist, in a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Pharmacists who undertake postgraduate training will be able to treat skin conditions, ear infections, nausea and vomiting, gastro-oesophageal reflux, musculoskeletal pain and rhinitis, as well as provide wound management services. It is estimated that pharmacists could be delivering services by 2026.

 

The announcement, made on World Pharmacists Day, follows the successful rollout of pharmacy programs allowing South Australian women to access medication for a urinary tract infection and a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill through qualified pharmacists.

 

PSA South Australia and Northern Territory President Dr Manya Angley FPS welcomed the Minister’s announcement to expand pharmacy services in South Australia.

 

“Our profession is continually evolving to better meet the increasingly complex health needs of Australians, our ageing population and overstretched health system,” Dr Angley said.

 

“Pharmacists are successfully supporting patients with treatment for urinary tract infections, resupplying of the oral contraceptive and Mental Health First Aid. These programs are already showing positive outcomes, including a reduction in emergency department visits.”

 

Dr Angley reaffirmed PSA’s commitment to providing high quality education for pharmacists as scope of practice expands in the state.

 

“PSA is an industry-leader in pharmacist education and is looking forward to further supporting South Australian pharmacists to expand their scope of practice.

 

“South Australian health consumers need pharmacists delivering services through the Pharmacy Scope of Practice program. They need all pharmacists doing more to support safe and effective use of medicines and greater access to care when and where they need it.

 

“We’re proud to see South Australia harnessing the potential of pharmacists, allowing us to better support our patients.”

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

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Empowering pharmacists to meet Australia’s health needs

25 September 2024

Marking World Pharmacists Day today (25 September), Australia’s peak body for pharmacists the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) reaffirms the key actions that form its flagship vision Pharmacists in 2030, highlighting the growing role of Australia’s pharmacists in meeting health needs.

 

Pharmacists around Australia and the world are responding to health challenges every day. Whether this be improving access to essential medicines, vaccination services and health advice, or optimising medicine use for safety and efficacy, pharmacists are on the frontlines of Australia’s health care system every day.

 

Last month PSA released Pharmacists in 2030, mapping the direction of the pharmacy profession over the coming years. Pharmacists in 2030 further identifies the key areas for reform in both practice and workforce development necessary to meet the health challenges of the future.

 

Pharmacists in 2030 continues a strong focus on medicine safety and improving access to care and medicines, also building an increased focus on patient equity, sustainability and supports which empower pharmacists to be the best they can be.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said that the future PSA sees further harnesses the potential of pharmacists.

 

“Australians need the expertise of pharmacists more than ever before,” Associate Professor Sim said. “As medicine use continues to grow and our population ages, Australian health needs are becoming more complex.”

 

“PSA sees pharmacists in all areas of practice doing more to meet these health challenges, and supported to do more for their patients or the communities they serve.

 

“By 2030, we see community pharmacy formally recognised as a preventive and primary health care hub where pharmacists are appropriately funded to practise to full and top of scope and play a greater role in preventive health care, treatment of acute illnesses and management of chronic health conditions – particularly through an increased prescribing role.

 

“While most community pharmacies will remain broad in their health offering to the community, some will become more specialised and focused to meet specific needs.

 

“Many of these changes are already well underway with various scope of practice pilots and changes occurring in every state and territory. These innovations and initiatives have been driven by real patient need and health system demand.

 

“We also see the need for pharmacists wherever medicines are prescribed, dispensed, administered or reviewed. This means playing a bigger role in multidisciplinary health care teams.

 

“Some of these roles will be relevant to community pharmacists, particularly in outreach services, others will see pharmacists embedded in these teams, often being a key conduit to reduce medicine safety risks in liaison with a patient’s community pharmacy.

 

“To the 38,000 pharmacists practising around the country, make sure you take a moment to celebrate your contribution to the health and wellbeing of your community this World Pharmacy Week and particularly today on World Pharmacists Day. On behalf of PSA, thank you for all that you do,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

 

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

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Queensland Budget sets pharmacists up for Scope of Practice Pilot

11 June 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes education funding for pharmacists in the Miles Government’s 2024-25 Queensland State Budget.

 

Today’s state budget commits $6 million to enable pharmacists to complete additional training to support the state-wide rollout of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot. This includes completion of prescribing training and clinical practice training, and will allow participating pharmacists to treat and prescribe medicines for common health conditions and wellbeing services, making healthcare more accessible for Queenslanders.

 

PSA also welcomes the government’s $72.9 million investment in free vaccinations for Queenslanders, including $40 million to fund influenza vaccines for all Queenslanders aged over 6 months, $26 million to fund meningococcal B vaccines for eligible infants, children, and adolescents, and $6.9 million to fund RSV vaccines.

 

PSA Queensland President Mr Shane MacDonald said the budget gives pharmacists the support they need to prepare for Australia’s most progressive scope of practice pilot.

 

“Investment in pharmacists ensures that our workforce is ready to offer expanded health services to Queenslanders,” Mr MacDonald said.

 

“Financial support to help meet training costs means more pharmacists participating in the pilot, and more services in more communities.

 

“We thank the Miles Government for their continued support and collaboration with the profession to bring the Scope of Practice Pilot to Queenslanders, better utilising the skills and accessibility of pharmacists to improve access to healthcare across the state.

 

“PSA is pleased to again welcome the continuation of free influenza vaccines for Queenslanders in 2025, easing the cost burden of essential vaccines on Queensland families,” Mr MacDonald continued.

 

“Knowing that every patient will have access to a vaccination at no cost, pharmacists can proactively plan now for the 2025 flu season.”

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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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PSA release pharmacist prescribing position statement

15 April 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has released its Pharmacist Prescribing position statement, highlighting the growing need for pharmacists to practise to their full and top of scope.

 

Ahead of the release of the next Scope of Practice Review Issues Paper, PSA clarifies support for pharmacist prescribing through emphasising patient safety and quality practice, and make clear that pharmacists have the required competencies to conduct both prescribing and dispensing.

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PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said that regulation should exist to support timely access to medicines, not limit it.

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“Pharmacists should not be prevented from helping patients when they need care,” A/Prof Sim said.

 

“Pharmacists can prescribe medicines within their scope of practice. The red tape and regulation that gets in the way of pharmacists helping patients needs to go.

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“Pharmacists currently prescribe within a limited formulary, namely under Continued Dispensing arrangements and Pharmacist-Only medicines, but we have the skills and knowledge to do more.

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“Current emergency supply provisions do not adequately mitigate the risks associated with ceasing therapy when a patient cannot access their medicines for a wide range of reasons.

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“We need to remove the out-of-date regulatory barriers that get in the way of delivering timely, effective health care.

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“We’ve seen in other countries pharmacists are prescribing a wider range of medicines than in Australia. This has been successful in providing safe access to medicines where patients have had trouble accessing other prescribers.

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“The emergence of pharmacist prescribing pilots in many Australian jurisdictions is further evidence that pharmacist prescribing is driven by real demand on the ground, and serves to address a gap to improve overall health system capability and capacity.

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“We know that the Scope of Practice Review is long, so we have renewed our position statement to meet the evolving health needs of our population.”

 

The position statement also clearly articulates PSA’s commitment to quality and safety measures for pharmacist prescribing.

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”Prescribing and dispensing remain as two discrete clinical activities, and pharmacists’ practice in these two activities will continue to be underpinned by appropriate clinical governance to ensure quality and standards,” A/Prof Sim said.

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“This position solidifies our commitment to evidence-based health service delivery.

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“PSA strongly believes in the implementation of evaluation and quality frameworks for prescribing services, ensuring that all health service delivery is responsive to the care and therapeutic needs of patients.”

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PSA’s Pharmacist Prescribing Position Statement is available here.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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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.

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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

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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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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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“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.

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“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.

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

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“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.

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“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.

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

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Launch of new PPS Quality Improvement and Self-Assessment Implementation Program

14 October 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today officially launched the Professional Practice Standards Quality Improvement and Self-Assessment Implementation Program to help pharmacists better understand and implement the standards into their practice.

 

The Implementation Program enables pharmacists to identify their individual scope of practice and the Standards relevant to them, as well as self-assess against these.
Upon completing the program, pharmacists are provided with a tailored action plan to help them improve their practice.

 

Speaking at the Western Australia Annual Therapeutic Update in Perth, PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS strongly encouraged pharmacists to take advantage of the Quality Improvement and Implementation Program to improve their practice.

 

“When we launched the new Professional Practice Standards earlier this year, we knew that it would fundamentally change the way pharmacists interact with and apply professional standards to their own practice,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Our Implementation Program allows each pharmacist to take an individual approach to applying the Standards in practice, no matter what our area of practice or specialisation.
“Self-assessing performance against these standards allows all of us to better our practice, and to deliver better care to all Australians.

 

“As pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to evolve, it is vital we continually assess our own performance and whether we are consistently enabling the delivery of safe, high-quality, reliable, and clinically effective healthcare services.

 

“I encourage all pharmacists, in all areas of practice and in all career stages to make the most of the Professional Practice Standards Quality Improvement and Self-assessment Implementation Program as a contemporary, evidence-based resource to guide their quality professional practice.

 

“By incorporating these standards into daily practice, pharmacists will ensure safe, effective and person-centred care for all Australians,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

The launch of this interactive program reaffirms PSA’s dedication to supporting pharmacists to provide top-quality healthcare services to the community. PSA remains committed to equipping pharmacists with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their roles and improve patient outcomes.

 

The Professional Practice Standards, the implementation program, and more are available at https://www.psa.org.au/practice-support-industry/pps/

 

 

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

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Pharmacist scope pilot to expand, improving access to care for all Queenslanders

25 September 2023

 

This World Pharmacists Day, Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman MP has announced that the North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot will be expanded statewide, allowing pharmacists to administer a wider range of vaccines and prescribe medicines for common health conditions.

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Speaking at FIP World Congress in Brisbane this afternoon, Minister Fentiman confirmed that participating pharmacists will be able to administer more types of vaccines, and prescribe treatments such as:

  • The oral contraceptive pill
  • Asthma medication
  • Nausea and vomiting medication
  • Nasal congestion and runny nose medication
  • Mild skin condition treatments
  • Some heart disease risk reduction
  • Support to quit smoking

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA’s) Queensland President Shane MacDonald MPS welcomed the announcement.

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“Pharmacists in Queensland are an integral part of the primary healthcare system, providing a range of services and access to care for all communities.

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“The Minister’s announcement is a welcome step toward improving access to care for patients around the state and allowing for a greater number of Queensland pharmacists to practise to their top of scope.

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“All Queenslanders will benefit from being able to access timely, quality care from their local pharmacist.

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“Queensland has often led the nation on pharmacist scope of practice. Other jurisdictions are watching the results of trials here in Queensland and following suit.

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“This is a vote of confidence from the Queensland Government in the skills and expertise of our pharmacists, which PSA looks forward to supporting during its implementation.”

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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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