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Tas expands pharmacy services to UTI treatment

12 February 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement that pharmacists will be authorised to supply treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) from March this year.

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Every community pharmacist in Tasmania will be able to take part in additional training to offer the program which is modelled on services already operating in other states.

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PSA Tasmania President David Peachey MPS said the move utilises the state’s most accessible health care professionals to continue supporting timely patient care.

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“PSA welcomes Minister Barnett’s move to give Tasmanians greater access to safe health care when and where they need it,” Mr Peachey said.

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“We have already seen UTI prescribing programs work successfully around the country – and in Queensland for quite a few years now.

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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 are key to strengthening the health care system. Regional and rural communities across Tasmania 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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PSA’s Managing uncomplicated cystitis training program is now available to all Tasmanian 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 from 1 March 2024.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

 

“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.

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

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“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.

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

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

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Ongoing contraceptive supply trial to begin this week

27 September 2023

 

Following an announcement from Health Minister Ryan Park MP, New South Wales has become the first Australian jurisdiction to authorise the extended supply of oral contraceptives by pharmacists under the NSW Pharmacy Trial.

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) New South Wales President Luke Kelly FPS welcomed the start of the program, which was first announced in November 2022.

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“Improving safe access to contraception is essential to improving health care for all Australians,” Mr Kelly said.

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“Pharmacists participating in the trial will be able to continue the supply of an existing low-risk contraceptive without renewed prescription, better supporting contraceptive adherence as well as saving patients time and money.

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“This trial will make oral contraception more accessible to more women in New South Wales.

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“Pharmacists are ready and able to improve healthcare for all Australians, offering safe, accessible, and equitable access to contraception and expert advice on their options.

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“Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional and are well placed to support patients in accessing timely care.

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“This is about making sure that Australians can access safe contraception when and where they need it,’ Mr Kelly concluded.

 

NSW Pharmacists can enrol in the NSW – Contraception Essentials training program here.

 

For more information on the NSW Pharmacy Trial, visit NSW Health.

 

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

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