1 million COVID-19 jabs administered by pharmacists!

According to today’s data from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), 1 million COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered by pharmacists since community pharmacists started administering vaccines.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said that pharmacists are key to getting Australia’s vaccination rates over the line.

 

“Today, pharmacists have achieved yet another milestone in the vaccine rollout, administering more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians.

 

“Pharmacist immunisers have been the key to bolstering vaccination rates across the country, and community pharmacy has managed the surge in demand brilliantly. This patient-centric approach is evidently paying dividends, with states like NSW and ACT now within touching distance of life-after-lockdown.

 

“Just yesterday, almost 40,000 vaccines were administered by pharmacists, a staggering achievement. It is apparent that increased vaccine choice and greater accessibility is having a positive impact amongst the community.

 

“To all those pharmacists who have remained open beyond business hours and on weekends in order to vaccinate their communities, I thank you – but moreover, Australia thanks you.

 

“Local pharmacies have fridges full of both AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, so I encourage all who remain unvaccinated to book in for their vaccination with their local pharmacist,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering all COVID-19 vaccines both safely and effectively to the public.

 

Last week, 1^st October, national eligibility for Moderna was expanded to include those aged over 60 years, offering greater vaccine choice and access to mRNA through pharmacies.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Victorian antigen tests welcomed by PSA – more needed

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s move to secure additional rapid antigen tests (RAT) for hospitals. However, government-funded routine RAT for community pharmacies is essential to ensure continuity of essential health services.

 

Yesterday, the Victorian Government announced they will secure 2.2 million rapid antigen tests for the Victorian health system, most of which are likely to be utilised through the hospital sector.

 

PSA Victorian Branch President, John Jackson, commended the move and called for government-funded rapid antigen testing for community pharmacists and their staff to be prioritised.

 

“We welcome the Victorian Government’s commitment to the funding of rapid antigen testing for hospitals. The provision of RAT will help protect Victoria’s hospitals workers, including pharmacists.

 

“Whilst this is welcomed news for the hospital sector and the pharmacists who work in hospitals, there is urgent need for antigen testing in our local pharmacies. On what seems to be a daily basis, pharmacies are being listed as exposure sites across locked down states. As a result, these pharmacies are required to close, and staff forced to isolate – we cannot afford further closures and must protect the health and wellbeing of Australia’s most accessible health care workforce, pharmacists,” Mr Jackson said.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said: “Rapid antigen testing would allow community pharmacies to bring their workforce back sooner. Returned in less than 15 minutes, negative rapid antigen tests will provide health authorities and community pharmacies with the confidence to reopen sooner, ensuring their communities continue to have access to essential medicines and health services such as vaccinations.

 

“At a quarter of the cost of a PCR test, rapid antigen testing must form a major part of the country’s COVID-19 response – allowing asymptomatic staff to be tested quickly, ensuring a safer workplace and maintaining community access to medicines and services.

 

“Now that Australians are seeing light at the end of the lockdown tunnel, how we manage this disease and future outbreaks will be the real challenge. Rapid antigen testing must be a cornerstone of life beyond COVID-19 – it will play a crucial role in limiting targeted lockdowns and protecting society’s most vulnerable,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes mandatory vaccination of Victorian health workers

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for the state’s frontline health workers.

 

Last night, Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer signed public health orders requiring all people who work in a health care setting to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The order applies to community pharmacy, hospitals, general practice and more.

 

From 15 October, in order to enter these worksites, a worker must have received their first dose of the vaccine by 15 October and 15 December for dose two.

 

PSA Victorian Branch President, John Jackson, applauded the move.

 

“As the state navigates its way out of its sixth lockdown and grapples a safe reopening, this is a step in the right direction. It protects health care workers. It protects patients. It further reduces the risk of further transmission through high-risk primary care settings.

 

“All health care workers and the community should be able to have confidence that everyone working to support health has heeded the health advice. That is, being vaccinated to protect themselves, their colleagues, and their patients.

 

“We also acknowledge the small cohort of health workers who have genuine medical contraindication to vaccination and welcome provisions to support people who have rare, but genuine, contraindications to vaccination,” Mr Jackson said.

 

PSA calls on all state and territory governments to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all health workers – including those working in primary care such as community pharmacies.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA releases Guidelines for Pharmacists Providing Smoking Cessation Support

In December 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced that from today, 1^st October 2021, a prescription will be required to access liquid nicotine for inhalation (vaping), following a change to its scheduling.

 

To manage these legislative changes, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), with support from the Commonwealth Department of Health, has developed guidelines and education to support Australian pharmacists through the transition.

 

Claire Antrobus, Manager, Practice Support and project lead, explained why such support is required.

 

“From today, a prescription will be required to access nicotine vaping products. When nicotine vaping products are prescribed under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme or the Special Access Scheme they can be dispensed through local pharmacies.

 

“As a result of these legislative changes, we are likely to see patients presenting to pharmacies, to access nicotine vaping products via prescription. PSA has worked with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Section, Quit Victoria, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to develop guidelines and education which equips pharmacists with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage the transition.

 

“These guidelines outline the pharmacist’s role in providing smoking cessation support and key requirements for dispensing nicotine vaping products, including counselling and safety considerations.

 

“There are currently no nicotine vaping products registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, so access to these unapproved therapeutic goods will occur via the Special Access Scheme, Authorised Prescriber Scheme or Personal Importation Scheme pathway.

 

“These guidelines provide information for pharmacists about the key considerations for supporting patients to stop smoking, including the special considerations for nicotine vaping products,” Ms Antrobus said.

 

On Wednesday night, PSA hosted a smoking cessation webinar for members – detailing the role in which pharmacists will be required to fulfil when their patients seek smoking cessation advice. Upon completion, pharmacists will receive CPD credits. The recorded session can be accessed via this link.

 

To access the Guidelines for Pharmacists Providing Smoking Cessation Support, please visit this link. Further information is also available on the TGA website.

 

PSA, in collaboration with Quit Victoria, has developed two education modules to support pharmacists:

 

https://my.psa.org.au/s/training-plan/a110o00000E66Wc/smoking-cessation-brief-advice-training-for-pharmacists-part-1

 

https://my.psa.org.au/s/training-plan/a110o00000E66Uc/dispensing-nicotine-vaping-products-part-2

 

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have also updated their Stop Smoking Guidelines to support the transition. These can be found here.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

World Pharmacists Day – Pharmacists: Always trusted for your health

Today marks World Pharmacists Day, providing an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible work and dedication of our pharmacists, both nationally and abroad.

 

This year’s theme is Pharmacists: Always trusted for your health, and over the past week, PSA has been shining a spotlight on a variety of different practice areas and highlighting the many roles that pharmacists are trusted to fulfil.

 

PSA National Vice President, Renae Beardmore, reflected on the past year and praised the efforts of Australia’s most accessible healthcare workforce. 

 

“Pharmacists across the country have done an incredible job continuing to put the health and welfare of their patients and communities first, amidst increasingly difficult circumstances. On behalf of the PSA, I thank you.

 

“Our profession is an essential cog in the Australian healthcare system, and as an essential service, has been called upon by governments and the public to protect society’s most vulnerable. 

 

“In the face of adversity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the 2019/20 bushfires, our pharmacists have remained accessible, approachable and have gone above and beyond to ensure that patients have had the care that they need, when they need it.

 

“You have stepped up once again to help expedite the vaccine rollout, which is now starting to pay significant dividends across the country – helping the nation achieve its vaccination targets. Pharmacists have now administered over 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Australians through pharmacies, hospitals, general practice, and Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). A remarkable achievement in such a short space of time. 

 

“PSA has been with you every step of the way, by ensuring that you are equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources required to help your patients and the community at large. None of this would be possible without our members – we need you to stand behind the Society in achieving the outcomes we all want, and that our patients need and deserve.

 

“Pharmacists practising to full scope and being remunerated appropriately for not only the sacrifices made, but the expertise and attention to detail that the role requires, must be acknowledged and supported by governments and policy makers,” Ms Beardmore concluded. 

 

PSA also marked World Pharmacists Day by holding the 2021 PSA Viatris Awards Ceremony last night, to recognise some of our outstanding pharmacists for their high standards, professionalism, and commitment to the profession. 

 

Ms Beardmore proudly congratulated the 2021 award winners for their excellence in and devotion to Australian pharmacy. 

 

“Year on year, it is becoming more challenging for our judges to decide on the winners of these prestigious awards – an indication of just how promising the future of pharmacy really is.

 

“These pharmacists are exemplars to the profession and maintained the highest standards of commitment and professionalism – and I congratulate them on their outstanding efforts over the past 12 months, particularly in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“You have all stepped up when your patients and communities have needed you the most. You have had to contend with public panic, anxiety, constantly changing regulations, medicine shortages and unfortunately in some cases, abusive behaviour. On behalf of the PSA and Australia, I thank you.”

 

The 2021 PSA Excellence Awards winners are:

• Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year Award – Zoe Robinson, QLD
• MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Erin Cooper, ACT
• Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Maria Berbecaru, TAS
• Symbion Pharmacist of the Year – Linda Badewitz-Dodd, NSW
• Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award – Valerie Constable, VIC
• Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumous) – John Ware OAM, VIC

 

PSA CEO, Mark Kinsela, thanked the Award’s sponsors for their ongoing support.

 

“I would like to thank Viatris, Symbion and MIMS for once again sponsoring these awards in recognition of Australia’s exceptional pharmacists, and Viatris for helping the PSA to deliver such a wonderful virtual event in the face of COVID-19 restrictions.

 

“These longstanding partnerships demonstrate how critical the pharmacy profession is to our country’s healthcare system, acknowledging excellence across the entire spectrum of pharmacy practice,” Mr Kinsela said.

 

Symbion CEO, Brett Barons, said the PSA Excellence Awards are the pre-eminent individual awards in the industry.

 

“Being involved in these awards is one of the most enjoyable parts of my role, and this year will be Symbion’s 17^th straight year as award sponsor – we are extremely proud of our long association. 

 

“Our purpose at Symbion is to ‘connect communities to care’. This purpose is certainly consistent with what this year’s winners have always done. It is therefore wonderful to see that the rest of the community has recognised the incredible role Australian pharmacists are playing at the frontline,” Mr Barons said.  

 

Viatris Australia Country Manager, Sylvain Vigneault, said: “We are proud to sponsor the PSA Excellence Awards and celebrate the brilliant work that pharmacists do to look after the health of Australians. The awards are timely with World Pharmacists Day, and the theme this year – ‘Pharmacy: Always trusted for your health’ represents the challenging but incredible work of pharmacists over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re delighted to also sponsor the Pharmacy Student of the Year award and would like to extend our congratulations to Zoe Robinson for winning this award.”

 

Congratulations to the 2021 PSA Excellence Award winners, and Happy World Pharmacists Day to all of Australia’s pharmacists. 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Victorian pharmacists recognised for a lifetime of service and legacy of achievement

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has paid tribute to two Victorian pharmacists, Valerie Constable and John Ware OAM, for their significant service to Australian pharmacy, as dual recipients of the PSA Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award at today’s 2021 PSA Viatris Award Ceremony. 

 

For more than three decades, Valerie (Val) Constable has helped pave the way to optimise standards of pharmacy education and practice, becoming a trusted mentor to many.

 

A humble and highly regarded professional, Val was a leader for women in pharmacy. She was a preceptor, mentor, and role model to many and always made herself available to provide support and advice to any member of the profession who sought her wisdom or assistance. Val’s principles are epitomised by Pharmacists Support Services (PSS), the anonymous volunteer support service that she helped establish, and led for many years.

 

In 1991, Val was the first female in 135 years to be elected President of the PSA’s Victorian Branch. She rose above the glass ceiling through outstanding commitment, integrity, and professionalism. For over 35 years, Val and her husband Bob provided patient-centred care to their local communities through their pharmacies in Footscray and Pascoe Vale in Melbourne. She was a mentor to numerous trainees, many of whom have gone on to be prominent members of the profession.

 

Val recognised the need for greater structure in pharmacy training and worked with other pharmacists to establish the Chapter of Pharmacy Practice Tutors, and co-authored manuals on medical conditions treated through pharmacies. She was also a Board member of the National Asthma Campaign (precursor to the National Asthma Council), involved with educating pharmacists in asthma recognition and management, and development of the Asthma Management Plan. 

 

John Ware, former National President of PSA and State President of PSA’s Victorian Branch, received this award posthumously, following his passing in January this year. John also received the PSA Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award last year. 

 

He is a former President of the Australian College of Pharmacy Practice and Chair of the Faculty Council of the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University. As Chair of the Victorian College of Pharmacy he led the team that integrated the monodisciplinary college of Pharmacy into a single faculty structure of Monash University. 

 

John was one of only a small number of Australians to have been awarded a Fellowship of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). He contributed globally in the field of Pharmacy including as President of the Western Pacific Pharmaceutical Forum and as President of the FIP Foundation.

 

Notably, John established the concept of pharmaceutical care for Australia, enhancing the role of pharmacists in medication management. John and his wife Nariel have established the Ware Fellowship, to invest in postdoctoral research into leadership in pharmacy education. 

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said: “Both Val and John have had such a tremendous impact on the profession, we made the decision to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to both of them this year. 

 

“John had demonstrated sustained dedication to the pharmacy profession and had been a driving force in the development and expansion of the role of the pharmacist in Australia.

 

“Val has been a trailblazer in her own right, forging the path for women in the profession to follow. She has been a mentor to many pharmacists and has made substantial gains for pharmacist involvement in respiratory care,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Chief Executive of Symbion, Brett Barons, said: “John’s family should be extremely proud of his contribution to pharmacy not only in Australia but also globally. Our purpose at Symbion is to connect communities to care. This is very much aligned with how John Ware lived his life. 

 

“Val should also feel extremely proud of the role she has played in being a true trailblazer for current and aspiring female pharmacists. She has shown that with persistence and a true ethos in helping others anything can be achieved. 

 

“The Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award is wonderful recognition of John and Val’s lifelong contribution to pharmacy, and I could not think of two more worthy recipients.”

 

Congratulations to Valerie and John, the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Merimbula pharmacist awarded Pharmacist of the Year!

NSW South Coast pharmacist and pharmacy owner, Linda Badewtiz-Dodd, has claimed the prestigious PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year honour for 2021. 

 

This evening at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Viatris Excellence Awards, the Merimbula-based pharmacist was recognised as an exemplar of the Australian pharmacy profession.

 

Linda is a shining example of a community pharmacist and pharmacy owner excelling in patient care, innovative professional practice, and community service. Her Merimbula pharmacy provides a wide range of services, including medication reviews, sleep apnoea services, and vaccinations to name just a few. Linda and her practice go above and beyond for their local community, providing high quality care and personalised support. 

 

Her strong community spirit and devotion to serving the Merimbula community was evidenced during the 2019 bushfires, when Linda provided emergency support to the town while her own home was under threat. During the crisis, Linda’s efforts supported the residents of nearby evacuated towns on the South Coast, including Eden and Bermagui, by mobilising face masks and essential medicines from Canberra. She continues to demonstrate her care for the community through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Upon receiving the award, Ms Badewitz-Dodd said. “I’m just a pharmacist doing my thing, for my community and my customers – that’s what I do and that what a pharmacist is.

 

“We need, as a profession, to all step up. We need to all be providing a service that is part of an integrated healthcare model. Collaborating with other health professional and other allied health professionals is where we need to be if want to stay in this space.”

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said: “Linda exemplifies the extraordinary lengths that pharmacists have gone to ensure the public continued to have access to healthcare when they needed it the most. Linda puts the community first in everything she does, and I know, she will not let anything get in the way of that.

 

Chief Executive of Symbion, Brett Barons, said: “Symbion were very closely involved with many pharmacists impacted by the 2019 bushfires so we saw first-hand what Linda and her community experienced during that terrible time. It is wonderful that her service to her customers and the community spirit she clearly instils in Merimbula has been recognised with her being awarded the Symbion Pharmacist of the Year Award.”

 

Congratulations to Linda, the 2021 Pharmacist of the Year!

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Tasmanian pharmacist awarded Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates Maria Berbecaru on being awarded the PSA Symbion Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) of the Year.

 

Tonight, during the 2021 PSA Viatris Awards Ceremony hosted by livestream, the Hobart-based pharmacist claimed the esteemed award for her exemplary practice in the ECP category – comprised of Australian pharmacists with less than ten years’ experience.

 

Maria is an accredited pharmacist and a young pioneer of clinical pharmacy practice in aged care. Notably, she implemented an embedded clinical pharmacist service an Australian aged care facility. 

 

Maria has taken responsibility for medicines safety and quality use of medicines at the aged care facility. She is responsible for coordinating quarterly psychotropic medicines reviews, swallowing assessments for medication administration, and has developed gold-standard collaborative arrangements with general practitioners, including participation on rounds.

 

“Our vulnerable, older population in residential aged care facilities are at significantly higher risk of medication-related harm compared to other members of our society. So with the right support, the right guidance and a sustainable funding model in place, embedded residential clinical pharmacists will become the norm. 

 

“We will be pivotal members of the healthcare team, to promote safe prescribing, safe administration and usage of medicines – minimising the risk of any medication-related harm and improving the quality of care for the residents,” Ms Berbecaru said. 

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, commended Maria on her achievement and acknowledge the importance of pharmacists in aged care.

 

“On the back of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, it is clear that pharmacists have a critical role in improving the safe and effective medication use. Maria is clearly committed to leading this area of practice and it is great to see a model connected in with community pharmacy and General Practitioners.

 

“Maria has established a model and measurement tools to clearly show the benefits to aged care staff, to residents, to medical practitioners and to the community pharmacy in having an on-site resident clinical pharmacist. 

 

“Her efforts continue to evolve pharmacists’ role in aged care, expanding the profession’s scope of practice and improving the lives of aged care residents, their loved ones, and their carers,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Chief Executive of Symbion, Brett Barons, said: “One part of Symbion’s vision is to ‘lead the way by developing innovative solutions’ and this very much aligns with Maria’s implementation of her integrated community pharmacy-delivered medication supply and clinical service model. It is innovation and engagement such as this which will continue to provide optimum care for our aged care community.” 

 

Congratulations to Maria, the 2021 ECP Pharmacist of the Year!

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Canberra Intern Pharmacist, Erin Cooper, named MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year!

Talented Canberra-based intern pharmacist, Erin Cooper, has won the 2021 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award.

 

Announced during the PSA Viatris Award Ceremony online this evening, the award recognises intern pharmacists who demonstrate outstanding performance in their development as professional pharmacists.

 

Erin has been an exemplar intern pharmacist at Capital Chemist Wanniassa and in the role of National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) President simultaneously. She also contributed to the NSW Early Career Pharmacist Group during her studies, as well as her pharmacy school student body, the Orange Pharmacy Students Association (OPSA). 

 

Whist grappling with her own stressors as a result of working throughout the bushfire season, from almost choking on smoke, to dealing with COVID-19 and the disruption of normal workflows and study expectations – Erin took it upon herself to develop a NAPSA Intern Guide to help all interns, not just herself, break through this critical year of their careers. 

 

She consistently exceeds the expectations of her role at the pharmacy, implementing various professional services, supporting other pharmacists, and above all, supporting the health of her local community. 

 

“It’s pretty exciting to know that what I’ve done, not only in my workplace, but through all my leadership activities during my intern year, has not only improved my role as a pharmacist, but obviously had an impact on others around me – and it’s really lovely to be acknowledged for that. 

 

“I’m excited for where our role as pharmacists is expanding to, particularly with the increase in vaccinations we can provide – and professional services and the way they’re building in pharmacy, and I’m excited to see what new things we’ll be able to achieve in those roles in the future,” Ms Cooper said.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said: “Erin has demonstrated aptitude in patient medication management and professional leadership well beyond her years of experience. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Erin’s career.”

 

Robert Best, CEO and Executive Director of MIMS Australia & MIMS New Zealand, said: “MIMS is delighted to again sponsor the PSA Intern of the Year Award. The calibre of interns, such as Erin, is phenomenal, and the future of Pharmacy in Australia is strong. 

 

“On the eve of World Pharmacist Day, the theme of ’trust’ couldn’t be more important. It’s trust, that clinicians and pharmacist place in MIMS, so when we look at the depth, breadth and quality of Interns coming through, Erin’s achievements and building of her patient and colleague’s trust is a standout. As the role of pharmacy truly expands, this focus on trust will continue to grow. We congratulate Erin and wish her all the best for the future.”

 

MIMS Business Development Director, Kumar Singh, also congratulated Erin on the award and her achievements during her intern year.

 

Congratulations to Erin, the 2021 MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year!

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Rapid Antigen Testing needed to keep ACT pharmacy doors open

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) ACT Branch welcomes Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s commitment to introduce rapid antigen testing in the ACT, and calls on the ACT Government to fund rapid antigen testing for ACT pharmacies as a matter of priority.

 

Since the ACT entered lockdown on 12^th August, there have been 82 COVID-19 exposures in 37 of the ACT’s 82 pharmacies. This often means pharmacies need to close for a period of time whilst employees get tested, impacting the community’s access to medicines.

 

By introducing and funding rapid antigen testing for pharmacists and their staff, pharmacists will be able to monitor their workforce more closely and get back-to-work sooner after a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure, ensuring that the vital care that pharmacies offer to the community can continue.

 

PSA ACT Branch President, Renae Beardmore, said: “Becoming an exposure site places huge pressure on a pharmacy. They will often need to reduce their hours or services if their staff are required to quarantine. Delays in contact tracing and receiving test results add to these pressures.

 

“At $10 a test, this a very cheap but worthwhile investment for the ACT Government. Rapid antigen testing would allow asymptomatic pharmacy employees to be tested quickly, ensuring a safer workplace and maintaining community access to medicines and services.

 

“Achieving our vaccination targets is absolutely the first step in order for Canberra to come out of lockdown. However, the second crucial step is to introduce rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic Canberrans – and pharmacies need to be prioritised.

 

“Pharmacists have done a great job protecting their staff and the community from exposure to COVID-19 in community pharmacy, by wearing of PPE and implementing other distancing measures. Rapid antigen testing now needs to play a significant role in reducing isolation periods of essential workers and identifying infection prior to onset of symptoms in high risk settings – such as pharmacies,” Ms Beardmore said.

 

Rapid Antigen Testing will allow community pharmacies to bring their workforce back sooner while awaiting PCR test results. Returned in less than 15 minutes, negative rapid antigen tests will provide health authorities and community pharmacies the confidence to reopen sooner to ensure their communities continue to have access to essential medicines and health services such as vaccinations.

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463