Congratulations to First PSA-Accredited Pharmacist

15 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the first PSA-Accredited Pharmacist has completed their training with PSA. Congratulations to Thao Phan MPS-AACPA on completing their accreditation, and for being the first to do so with PSA!

 

Ms Phan graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from Monash University in 2020, and practices as a community pharmacist in Cairns, Queensland.

 

“When PSA announced that they were offering the credentialing program, I made a decision immediately. I would complete my accreditation with PSA, knowing they will accompany and support me in every step of the process,” Ms Phan said.

 

“I have been a PSA member since I started my pharmacy course. PSA has provided me with great support throughout my internship and the first year of my career as a pharmacist.

 

“I found the MMR stage 1 online course extremely helpful. It provided me with a detailed description of the steps involved and the skills needed to undertake Medication Management Reviews. The knowledge I learnt from these resources made it much easier for me to pass the assessments of the accreditation process.

 

“The Accreditation Team at PSA always provide timely and helpful responses to all my inquiries. I would highly recommend PSA accreditation training to other pharmacists.

 

“I’m very excited to conduct my first review and help promote MMRs to more doctors and patients in the community.”

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS congratulated Thao on being the first PSA Accredited Pharmacist, and said she was proud to get such positive feedback on the program.

 

“Congratulations to Thao Phan MPS-AACPA on being the first PSA-accredited pharmacist,” Dr Sim said.

 

“We are so excited to see the PSA Accreditation Credentialing Program growing as the new Home of Accredited Pharmacists.

 

“We are incredibly proud to offer a complete package of high-quality education, training and ongoing career support for accredited pharmacists and those looking to pursue accreditation.

 

“PSA’s Accreditation Credentialing Program is giving pharmacists the knowledge, communication skills, and counselling to provide high quality, complex medication review services through collaborative care models with other health care providers.

 

“Accreditation provides opportunity for career pathways and progression, a key pillar of PSA’s ongoing advocacy for roles, remuneration and recognition of pharmacists,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

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

Vale Dr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED FPS

9 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED FPS.

 

Dr Alistair Lloyd has had a significant impact on pharmacy education and practice in Australia, through his leadership roles within the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, the Victorian College of Pharmacy, and Monash University.

 

In 1996, Alistair was awarded the inaugural Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia for his contributions to the pharmacy profession. He was the first to receive what is now an annual award.

 

Alistair was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) by the Governor-General in the 2001 Australia Day honours lists for service to the pharmacy profession and patient care through integration of pharmacy, medical and nursing services, and for improving labelling on medications and standardising prescription conventions.

 

Alistair Lloyd has made many outstanding and valuable contributions to the pharmacy profession as a community pharmacist and in the various senior leadership roles with the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, the body responsible for running the Victorian College of Pharmacy until 1992.

 

In 2013, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Monash University honoured Dr Lloyd by launching the Alistair Lloyd Scholarship for Excellence and Leadership in honour of the philanthropist and pharmacy industry stalwart. The scholarship provides $10,000 per year to a student commencing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree at Monash. The scholarship was first awarded in 2015 and is awarded every two years.

 

He has long been known as Victoria’s most recognised pharmacy leader and visionary for the profession.

 

“Dr Lloyd has made many outstanding and valuable contributions to our profession, both in his work as a community pharmacist and in senior leadership roles within PSA.

 

“Dr Lloyd’s legacy will continue with his many pharmacy students and colleagues whom he led throughout his impressive career.

 

“On behalf of the pharmacy profession, my deepest condolences are with the Lloyd family, their friends, and many colleagues in Victoria,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

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

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

PSA launches its first Equality Statement

 

8 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today launched its Equality Statement, calling for pharmacists to reflect on how they provide more inclusive, appropriate and discrimination-free healthcare for LGBTQIA+ Australians. The statement also calls on healthcare bodies to make changes to better facilitate inclusive health care.

 

Practical ways pharmacists can support LGBTQIA+ individuals include avoiding heteronormative and cisnormative language, ensuring pronouns and chosen names are routinely used included in healthcare records, and recognising partners or family of choice as legally authorised decision makers in their health.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS said that all healthcare professionals have a duty to foster an accessible, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment to improve health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people.

 

“LGBTQIA+ communities are incredibly resilient and adaptable, but still experience disproportionately worse health outcomes than the wider population,” Dr Sim said.

 

“57% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have reported discrimination due to their sexual orientation, and almost 80% of these participants had experienced discrimination due to gender diversity.

 

“This is simply unacceptable.

 

“Stigma and discrimination cause significant negative health effects and leads to people avoiding healthcare entirely. Everyone should have equal access to healthcare. As some of the most accessible health care professionals, pharmacists have a specific duty of care to patients to ensure that healthcare is provided in an inclusive and appropriate way for all people.

 

“World Pride and Melbourne Midsummer festival are times where we celebrate the diversity of the community we live in and reflect on achievements in reducing and acknowledging discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA+ people in the past.

 

“Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting transgender and gender diverse patients undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy. PSA is proud to offer pharmacist education in trans- and gender diverse health care in pharmacy, and to support pharmacists in providing inclusive care.

 

“The Australian healthcare system has the opportunity to better support LGBTQIA+ people at all stages of care. The onus is on each of us to better understand the unique health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities and how to support all patients.”

 

The Equality Statement was driven by PSA’s Early Career Pharmacists who are passionate about building the health system’s capacity to support all people.

 

“I thank Amber Loomis and the Early Career Pharmacists for their contribution to PSA’s Equality Statement, for their dedication to improving inclusive healthcare in Australia.”

 

The PSA Equality Position Statement is available here.

 

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

Federal Budget has the opportunity to strengthen healthcare access – will the Government take it?

2 February 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has used its pre-Budget submission to urge the Albanese Government to invest in national vaccination programs and strengthen access to health care for all Australians.

 

PSA has urged the government introduce a Medicare Benefits Schedule payment for pharmacist immunisations modelled on the Level B payment available to GPs.  The MBS fee would be available in all primary care locations pharmacists vaccinate, including community pharmacies and general practice.

 

PSA’s 2023-24 Pre-Budget Submission also highlights the need for nationally consistent vaccination standards that allow all patients to receive all vaccinations from their local pharmacist, regardless of their age or type of vaccination.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said that the Federal Government has the opportunity to ensure that every Australian has equitable access to vaccination, regardless of where they live.

 

“Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective interventions against preventable disease,” Dr Sim said.

 

“We need to be doing everything we can to remove barriers and encourage more Australians to get vaccinated and be protected against preventable diseases like influenza, Meningococcal and HPV.

 

“For many Australians pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers, with extended opening hours and short wait times. We could be taking advantage of this, but instead governments have restricted the vaccinations we can provide in a pharmacy or general practice.

 

“Each state and territory has its own set of rules in place about which patients can be vaccinated by pharmacists, depending on age and the vaccination itself.

 

“In NSW, a pharmacists can provide a catch-up vaccination for a HPV shot missed during COVID lockdowns, but not in the ACT.

 

“A five-year-old can be vaccinated against influenza by a pharmacist in Victoria, while they would have to wait up to six weeks for a GP appointment in the Northern Territory or Tasmania – some of the jurisdictions with the worst wait times for GP appointments.

 

“These differences make no sense, and place people’s health at risk.

 

“It is not fair that children in one state might have greater access to a vital vaccination than children in another state.

 

“Pharmacists have already administered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccines over the last two years, on top of millions more influenza vaccines. This shows that the pharmacist profession is ready, and that Australians want to be able to access pharmacist-led vaccination.

 

“Empowering pharmacists to deliver vaccines has been proven, time and time again, to boost vaccination rates.

 

“Expanding access to life-saving vaccinations is a common sense move that will improve the health and wellbeing of Australians, while also freeing up GP appointments for more complex health needs.

 

“Harmonising vaccination standards across the country, allowing pharmacists to play a greater role in vaccination programs, will reduce confusion across states, among the public and healthcare professionals.

 

“Above all else it’s about improving access to healthcare,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

PSA’s 2023-24 Budget Submission is available here.

 

More information on pharmacy numbers, state regulations and other data is available on request.

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

Page announced as new PSA Victoria President

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the election of Dr Amy Page FPS as President of PSA’s Victorian branch.

 

Dr Page is a consultant pharmacist and has served on the PSA Victoria branch since 2017 including as Vice-President. In 2015 she was also awarded a Fellowship of the PSA.

 

Page is recognised as a national expert in the quality use of medicines, with her research and clinical practice focusing on older people with multimorbidity, polypharmacy and dementia. She was one of Australia’s first pharmacists to practice in a GP clinic, championing non-traditional practice settings and interprofessional collaboration.

 

As a clinical pharmacist and researcher, she leads the development of innovative projects that engage multidisciplinary teams and bridge the gaps between clinical practice, research and education to improve outcomes for patients. Her current work is building capacity and support for pharmacists as they transition in to new roles on-site in residential aged care facility.

 

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to lead Victorian pharmacists,” Dr Page said.

 

“It’s an exciting time to be in pharmacy.  Pharmacists have opportunities to work in a range of different practice settings and play a greater role in the health and wellbeing of our communities.

 

“The Victorian Government announced a trial allowing pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and medicines for other conditions, giving our profession the opportunity to take the first steps in practising to top of scope.

 

“I’m excited to have a greater role in supporting PSA to be the home of accreditation, giving accredited pharmacists the opportunity to achieve the best results for our patients. The 2023 Consultant Pharmacists Conference (CPC23) in May will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with accredited pharmacists from around Australia and learn from one another.”

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS congratulated Dr Page on her election, and acknowledged John Jackson for his service as Victorian President.

 

“I’m very proud to have Dr Page stepping up to lead Victorian pharmacists,” Dr Sim said.

 

“Dr Page has been heavily involved in PSA for many years, and brings a wealth of experience to role especially during such an exciting time for pharmacy.

 

“PSA is very thankful to outgoing Victorian President John Jackson MPS for his dedication and service to Victoria’s pharmacists. He has been an integral part of the PSA team for ”

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0410 505 315     E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.

 

2023 Australia Day Honours recognises extraordinary pharmacists

26 January 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates the pharmacists honoured in today’s Australia Day Honours.

 

Four pharmacists were recognised for their outstanding service to their communities and to the pharmacy profession, as well as a former PSA General Manager.

 

The following Australians received Honours from the Governor General:

• Mr Richard John French MPS (NSW) – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• Mr Phillip Andrew Greenwood (ACT) – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• The late Mr Nazminali Hudda MPS (QLD) – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• Mr Graham Edward Reed MPS (NSW) – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)
• Mr Donald Charles Lawie (QLD) – Medal of Order of Australia (OAM)

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim FPS acknowledged their tireless work and thanked them for their commitment to the pharmacy profession.

 

“The pharmacists recognised today have dedicated their lives to the health of their communities,” Dr Sim said.

 

“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I congratulate all the pharmacists who have been recognised today.”

 

Richard French MPS is recognised for his service to the community of Muswellbrook, NSW, including his professional service as a community pharmacist for 35 years. Mr French also served as the local co-ordinator of the Guardian Pharmacy Angel Knitting Program between 2000 and 2016.

 

Phillip Greenwood is recognised for his service to the not-for-profit sector, including his service as a General Manager with PSA.

 

The late Nazminali Hudda MPS is recognised for his service to the Nizari Ismaili Muslim community of Queensland, as well as his 38 years as a community pharmacist in both the United Kingdom and Australia.

 

Graham Reed MPS is recognised for his service to Australian cricket, and is a life member of the Pharmaceutical Society of New South Wales.

 

Donald Lawie is recognised for his service to the community of the Cairns region as a pharmacist and compounding chemist in Babinda over 60 years.

 

 

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

 

Pharmacy Student of the Year wildcard announced

18 January 2023

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has proudly awarded Ingrid Stroud from the University of Canberra with the 2023 Pharmacy Student of the Year wildcard as part of the National Australian Pharmacy Students Association (NAPSA) Congress.

 

The PSOTY award recognises and celebrates Australia’s outstanding pharmacy students. The award showcases the knowledge, skills and abilities of select students to the broader pharmacy profession, whilst giving them the opportunity to apply, and be judged on, their counselling skills.

 

The PSOTY wildcard is awarded to an outstanding student to compete alongside state finalists in the national PSOTY competition held at PSA23.

 

The 2023 competition was judged by PSA Chief Executive Officer Mark Kinsela, Early Career Pharmacist Erin Cooper and NAPSA representative Emma O’Donnell.

 

The judges congratulated Ingrid Stroud and commended all finalists on their skills as the next generation of pharmacists.

 

“Each of the competitors should be very proud of the knowledge and skills they presented,” Erin Cooper said on behalf of the judging panel.

 

“The Pharmacy Student of the Year competition requires students to communicate with their patient, take patient history and make a clinical recommendation for treatment.

 

“It is heartening to see the future of our profession on show, demonstrating a high level of clinical knowledge, capability and passion – it’s clear that the future of pharmacy is incredibly bright.

 

“Congratulations to Ingrid on taking out this year’s wildcard competition. We look forward to seeing you at PSA23 for the national finals.”

 

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0410 505 315     E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

PSA welcomes refreshed National Medicines Policy

20 December 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the updated National Medicines Policy, announced today by Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP.

 

The National Medicines Policy is a framework for ensuring Australians have timely access to affordable, quality medicines that are used appropriately.

 

The refreshed plan elevates the need to address access challenges, particularly equity and equality for all Australians, and is consistent with PSA’s plan for the future, Pharmacists in 2023, placing patients at the centre of care supported by pharmacists as medicine experts wherever medicines are prescribed, supplied or administered.

 

Dr Fei Sim, National President of PSA, congratulated Professor Michael Kidd AM on delivering an improved policy which meets the contemporary needs of Australians.

 

“Medicines are our most common intervention in health care. It is essential that Australians have access to quality and affordable medicines when they need them.” said Dr Sim.

 

“PSA has long advocated for the NMP to be reviewed, so we are very pleased to see the Minister deliver on this today. We welcome support for national pharmacovigilance systems, however it is crucial that these systems be nationally coordinated and real-time in order to significantly reduce harms which can be caused by medicines.

 

“We also welcome the recognition that clinical indicators will need to be used to evaluate policy, as this is something else PSA has been fighting for over many years. It is great to see Minister Butler commit to regular 5-yearly reviews to ensure the NMP remains up to date.

 

“PSA has long been concerned about the preventable harm caused by medicines and has driven the conversation on medicine safety in Australia. We are excited to see changes in policy which should help drive solutions and improve medicine safety for all Australians and look forward to partnering with the government and other organisations to deliver on the goals of this policy.

 

PSA would like to thank the Expert Advisory Committee members including Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom AO, Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin MPS, Mr David Herd, and Mrs Jan Donovan for their contributions.

 

Media contact:   Candice Burch M: 0403 973 097     E: Candice.burch@psa.org.au

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.