Flood victims must have access to medicines. PSA calls for urgent restoration of full PBS Continued Dispensing initiative.

19 October 2022

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is again calling for the Federal Government to reinstate full continued dispensing arrangements amid widespread flooding in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

 

Continued dispensing arrangements came into effect in late 2019 allowing people separated from their medicines and prescriptions to access a standard box of their medicines as a one-off one month supply without a prescription.

 

Despite being in force for over two years without any known safety incidents, the Federal Government reduced the number of eligible medicines from over 900 to only 168 from 30 June 2022.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim says that while pharmacists are working harder than ever to ensure patients have access to the medicines they need, their hands are tied when it comes to supplying prescription medicines to those who have been most affected.

 

“We have been speaking with pharmacists who are staying open and trying to help patients with intermittent power, water damage and without stable phone and internet lines. They have told us the watered-down arrangements are putting them in an impossible situation of having to deny reasonable requests for lifesaving medicines or risk losing their AHPRA registration by breaking the law.

 

“There are common medicines, like anti-depressants, antiarrhythmic, anticoagulant, and antiepileptic medicines for example, that are dangerous to suddenly stop taking. In a disaster situation it is the patients on these sorts of medicines who will suffer without permanent continued dispensing arrangements in place.

 

“This is unacceptable. The current continued dispensing arrangements are simply not fit-for-purpose. Governments need to make sure that all patients have access to their medicines in emergency situations, regardless of what medicines they take,” Dr Sim said.

 

“It is vital the full PBS Continued Dispensing list is restored, as it guarantees access to full PBS quantities Australia-wide for people affected by an emergency. Without this, the quantity of medicines a pharmacist can supply varies depending where you are in Australia, which can be as little as only 3 day’s supply We all know emergencies last longer than that.

 

“Full continued dispensing is necessary to ensure medicines remain affordable in an emergency. Without PBS subsidy, either the patient or pharmacist has to wear the full cost of the medicine at a time where the individual costs of the disaster are starting to roll in.

 

The last thing these pharmacists and patients need is unnecessary bureaucratic red tape getting in the way of emergency patient care.

 

“After two years where this problem has been solved, it feels like we’ve gone back to Groundhog Day again. We cannot wait for the next natural disaster to revisit this issue yet again. Restoring full continued dispensing permanently will help improve our disaster response and protect the post-disaster health of our communities.”

 

 

 

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

PSA announces Consultant Pharmacists Conference 23 (CPC23)

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today announced the commitment to host the PSA Consultant Pharmacists Conference 23 (CPC23) as part of PSA’s accreditation support program. PSA’s CPC23 will be hosted in Adelaide, South Australia, from 5-7 May 2023.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim reaffirmed PSA’s commitment to supporting accredited pharmacists, saying that the Consultant Pharmacists Conference was a vital professional develop opportunity for many pharmacists.

 

“PSA is committed to preserving the legacy of AACP and we are very excited to be able to continue offering a dedicated national conference for accredited pharmacists, the Consultant Pharmacists Conference 23,” Dr Sim said.

 

“ConPharm had a long history of bringing together hundreds of accredited pharmacists from around Australia to connect and receive high-quality education targeted to the accredited pharmacists, those undergoing accreditation, and those looking to advance their practice.

 

The PSA Accreditation Expert Advisory Group has played a key role in ensuring that PSA’s accreditation offer supports the contemporary demands on accredited pharmacists. With this feedback, CPC23 will offer the best fit-for-purpose training development, engagement and networking opportunities for accredited pharmacists.

 

“PSA made a commitment to give career-long support to accredited pharmacists. PSA will work with the PSA Accreditation Expert Advisory Group to deliver a program that meets the needs of accredited pharmacists.”

 

PSA will also continue the proud tradition of the Consultant Pharmacist of the Year – announcing next year’s winner at Consultant Pharmacists Conference.

 

Dr Sim confirmed the continuation of the Consultant Pharmacist of the Year award saying, “I am delighted that PSA will be continuing these awards, when I look back at all the winners of the past, I see the names of so many incredible pharmacists – many of whom are advising PSA on how we can continue supporting accredited pharmacists.”

 

“PSA-accredited pharmacists will be able to access professional support and professional development throughout your entire career, not only through your training. This is an important part of the support AACP has provided, and PSA is proud to carry on that legacy.”

 

To register for more information on the Consultant Pharmacists Conference 23 (CPC23), visit the CPC23 website.

 

SAVE THE DATE: Consultant Pharmacists Conference 23 (CPC23)

 

Date: 5-7 May 2023

 

Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia

 

 

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

 

SA Pharmacists to deliver Japanese encephalitis virus vaccines

18 October 2022

 

The South Australian Government has today announced that pharmacists will soon be able to deliver free Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines to people over five years of age who travel to, live or work along the River Murray.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the announcement, with SA/NT President Veronika Seda highlighting the role of pharmacists in ensuring that the vaccination is accessible to all eligible people.

 

“Pharmacists play an important role in enabling access to vaccinations for every eligible person living in South Australia,” Ms Seda said.

 

“While 90% of JEV infections are asymptomatic, the virus can cause a rare and potentially life-threatening infection of the brain. It’s vital that we encourage the uptake of JEV vaccines in affected areas.

 

“As the most accessible health care professionals, community pharmacists completely support any measures that strengthen the health and wellbeing of our communities. Pharmacists are skilled and ready to provide any additional advice people may need regarding mosquito borne diseases, such as JEV.”

 

The vaccine will be available to patients free of charge, with pharmacists receiving $20 (inc. GST) in remuneration for each dose delivered. This is less than pharmacists receive for delivering an influenza vaccination, despite JEV vaccinations requiring a longer consultation.

 

“As the organisation representing all pharmacists practising in Australia, PSA is concerned that the rate of remuneration for South Australian pharmacists delivering JEV vaccinations is insufficient.

 

“JEV has a strict eligibility criteria, which requires pharmacists to spend more time consulting with patients. That extra time is time taken away from the dispensary and helping other patients, which can have a significant impact in small, regional, or rural pharmacies.

 

“In comparison, general practitioners are delivering the same service, administering the same vaccine, and are able to claim $39.75 for each patient under Medicare. Pharmacists deserve to be paid the same rate,” Ms Seda concluded.

More information on the Japanese encephalitis virus and vaccines can be found here.

 

 

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

Outstanding QLD pharmacists recognised

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Queensland Branch yesterday celebrated the outstanding pharmacists through its annual awards, presented at the Queensland Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU).

 

PSA Queensland Vice-President Karla Wright, presented the awards on Saturday night and thanked them for their ongoing dedication to the profession.  

 

The 2022 PSA Queensland Pharmacist of the Year was awarded to Lakis ‘Lucky’ Zeniou.

 

The 2022 Professor James Dare Queensland Pharmacy Graduate of the Year was awarded to Renee Buckland from James Cook University.

 

The 2022 Queensland Early Career Pharmacist of the Year was awarded to Elisha Noone.

 

The 2022 Queensland Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Carmel Delahunty.

 

Ms Wright congratulated all award winners on their achievements, and thanked all Queensland pharmacists for their hard work over the last year.

 

“Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees,” she said.

 

“These pharmacists have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their leadership and commitment to the health and wellbeing of their communities. PSA is proud to be celebrating all that makes Queensland pharmacists great.

 

“The 2022 QLD ATU has demonstrated the commitment and dedication of our profession, bringing together pharmacists from around Queensland to collaborate and celebrate our many successes.”

 

 

Media notes on award winners

 

2022 PSA Queensland Pharmacist of the Year – Lakis ‘Lucky’ Zeniou.

 

Lucky is passionate about the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities and is a role model and advocate for the integration of pharmacists into the primary health care teams of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs).

 

Lucky has been working with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) sector for over 12 years, including his current role for the past 7 years as Senior Pharmacist at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH). Together with his team they provide oversight for the delivery of quality use of medicine initiatives within the 19 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service clinics located in South East Queensland. Prior to working at IUIH, he was the Queensland QuMAX Support Pharmacist, which involved implementing QuM measures within ACCHO’s throughout Queensland and liaising with community and hospital pharmacies to encourage QuM initiatives through collaboration and improved cultural safety.

 

2022 Professor James Dare Queensland Pharmacy Graduate of the Year – Renee Buckland.

 

The Professor James Dare Queensland Pharmacy Graduate of the Year recognises achievements in pharmacy beyond just academic success.  Renee was nominated for this award for her outstanding commitment to pharmacy and her promising career in the sector.

 

2022 QLD Early Career Pharmacist – Elisha Noone.

 

Elisha has a special interest in palliative care and is currently completing her Masters of Palliative Care through Flinders University. She is a pharmacist advocate with a passion to integrate pharmacists within the palliative care sector.

 

Elisha is the Project Pharmacist – Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative (BSPCC) on the palliPHARM initiative, works on PallConsult, a 24/7 palliative care advice hotline for doctors, NPs, paramedics and pharmacists and supports the Specialist Palliative Care in Aged Care Project which supports people at end-of-life residing in Residential Aged Care Facilities. Most recently Elisha has been supporting Queensland state-wide Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) services.

 

2022 QLD Lifetime Achievement Award – Carmel Delahunty.

 

Carmel Delahunty has been a pharmacist for 46 years since her traineeship in 1976 at McSweeny’s at Oriel Rd & Toombul Pharmacies.

 

Through her career, she has owned and operated multiple pharmacies, health food stores, perfumeries and photo developing stores.

 

Additionally, Carmel has been an active member of the pharmacy industry, holding the position of Secretary for QLD Pharmacy Ball Committee in 1990’s which at its peak was attended by approximately 1,000 pharmacists. Carmel was also an inaugural member of the Advisory Committee at QUT Pharmacy School, mentoring many pharmacy students and pharmacists over her career.  

 

Carmel has been an early adopter & advocate of expanding pharmacy practice through her career. She has completed an Advanced Diploma of Nutritional Pharmacy in 1996, is certified as a Counsellor for Preventative Medicine Movement, was a member of the Advisory Committee at the Endeavor College of Natural Medicine and is registered as an Immunisation Pharmacist. She has continued to contribute to the pharmacy industry, most recently working for QLD Health manufacturing Covid Vaccines during the peak vaccine demand.

 

Carmel is also a Fellow of the Australian College of Pharmacy and a Fellow of the Australia Institute of Company Directors.

 

On top of all this, she has managed to raise 4 children and volunteer her time to multiple community groups.

 

 

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

Tasmanians can now access pharmacist advice after hours

13 October 2022

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to launch the Tasmanian Afterhours Advice Line to support the health and wellbeing of all Tasmanians when their regular pharmacy is closed.

 

The Tasmanian Government-funded advice line is now available to all Tasmanians seeking support or advice from an expert pharmacist from 6pm to midnight, seven days a week. The advice line will be trialled over 8-months.

 

PSA Tasmanian President David Peachey said that the launch of the advice line will improve access to essential healthcare and further support the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians.

 

“We’re proud to bring the Pharmacist Advice Line to Tasmania as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the health of our communities,” Mr Peachey said.

 

“Pharmacists are medicine safety experts, and play a significant role in the day-to-day management of medicines too. Tasmanians can now call us when most local pharmacies are closed and get the same expert advice on dosages, medicine safety, drug interactions.

 

“When Tasmanians call the pharmacist advice line with minor ailments we can also act as a triage point, giving them advice on whether to go to their pharmacist, GP, or hospital for treatment.

 

“We see afterhours patients with minor ailments go straight to the emergency department because there is often no other option. It doesn’t have to be this way, pharmacists have the skills and experience to help in many of these cases.

 

“We want to play our part in reducing pressure on the rest of the health system, so that healthcare remains accessible for everyone.

 

 

“PSA is proud to be working with the Tasmanian Government to ensure that healthcare is accessible to all patients when they need it. We sincerely thank Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff for his ongoing support for Tasmania’s pharmacists.”

 

 

The Pharmacist Afterhours Advice Line is available from 6pm to midnight, 7 days a week, at 1300 742 769.  More information on the service is available here.

 

 

 

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

JOINT STATEMENT: AACP to cease operation

Brisbane to host FIP World Congress 2023

22 September 2022

 

 

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today confirmed that the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) 2023 World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will take place in Brisbane from 24-28 September 2023.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim, who is attending the 2022 World Congress in Seville, said that she was proud to be bringing the international event down under.

 

“This will be an opportunity for Australian pharmacists to connect with international pharmacy leaders like never before, right here on our own shores,” Dr Sim said.

 

“The FIP World Congress is well known for being the premier global conference for the pharmacy profession, featuring internationally acclaimed speakers and exciting social events for pharmacists in a variety of practice settings.

 

“We are very proud to be working closely with FIP to bring the World Congress to Brisbane, and to showcase the hard work and dedication of Australian pharmacists to the world.”

 

PSA also congratulates Paul Sinclair AM MPS, who was elected as the next FIP President and will serve from 2023-2027.

 

“To be able to host the World Congress here in Australia, under the leadership of the first ever Australian President is a momentous occasion that we are excited to share with pharmacists from around the country.

 

“We are excited to work with Paul and the FIP team to strengthen our international engagement and make a global impact.”

 

 

Mr Sinclair said: “I am honoured to have been elected as the next president of FIP and to be the first Australian to hold this post.”

 

“I look forward to working with all our Member Organisations to deliver the FIP mission and to promote Pharmacy in all its forms worldwide. FIP Congress in Brisbane next September will be a great opportunity to showcase Australian pharmacy to the world.”

 

FIP President Dominique Jordan also expressed his excitement about FIP heading to Australia for the first time in 20 years.

 

“FIP, the home of the global pharmacy family, is delighted to be going to Brisbane next year under the banner ‘Pharmacy building a sustainable future for health care’,” Mr Jordan said.

 

“Sustainability — for people and our planet — is a concept ingrained in global development. Development must be sustainable to be successful. Universal health coverage must be sustainable. We are very pleased to be holding our next annual congress in Australia after a gap of 20 years; FIP’s last World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences being held in Sydney in 2003.

 

The entire FIP team is looking forward to working with our members the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, and the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association to develop a vibrant event that will gather expertise and experiences from a vast international network for the benefit of all, as One FIP. Together, we will agree principles, long-term goals and short-terms actions to maximise the contribution of pharmacy.”

 

 

 

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

Flood-affected pharmacists are begging for support

16 September 2022

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today joined the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and other health sector leaders to call for immediate funding and support for healthcare providers in flood affected areas of northern New South Wales.

 

Members of the Natural Disaster and Emergency General Practice and Primary Health Partnership Group (the NDE Group) are in Lismore today, including PSA NSW President Chelsea Felkai.

 

Ms Felkai says that pharmacists in the region had shown their passion and dedication during these disasters, putting the health and wellbeing of their communities first.

 

“We’ve seen pharmacists on the back of jetskis trying to get medicines to people who need them, that’s how dedicated they are.

 

“Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, meaning we need plans in place to ensure that quality health care is accessible after a disaster. The NSW Rural Doctors Network’s Healthcare Flood Recovery Grant Proposal would allow pharmacists to get back to doing what they do best – providing expert health advice to the community.

 

“Many of these pharmacists have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of stock, and some have lost their pharmacies all together. We cannot support the health of our communities if the government doesn’t support us.

 

“PSA is proud to stand with leaders from across the healthcare sector to call for greater funding and support to re-establish quality, accessible health care in flood-affected regions.”

 

Ms Felkai added that mechanisms like permanent, one-month emergency supply arrangements also need to be put in place to allow patients to easily access their essential medicines in the event of a disaster.

 

Current temporary emergency supply arrangements require the medicine to have been previously prescribed, as well as evidence that the patient is in immediate need of the medicines for continued treatment. These arrangements were introduced during the 2019 bushfires to ensure continued access to medicines, but the NSW Authority expires on 30 September 2022.

 

“Permanent one-month supply arrangements would allow patients to continue taking their ongoing medicines during and after a disaster, where their scripts and documents may have been destroyed and prescriber appointments aren’t available.

 

“The Commonwealth continued dispensing arrangements are not fit for emergency purpose.  Many of the medicines where there is an absolute imperative to continue therapy have been left off this arrangement – things like anticoagulants, antidepressants, epilepsy medicines. In a disaster situation it is the patients on these sorts of medicines who will suffer.

 

“Emergency supply is a last resort but giving pharmacists the ability to continue providing medicines in these situations is vital to public health, especially during disasters.”

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim reiterated her support for the Lismore community and extends sincere gratitude to the pharmacists who continued providing services to their communities during the disaster.

 

PSA was proud to provide affected pharmacists with copies of the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) to support their roles in the weeks following.

 

“We were proud to be able to personally offer our support to every pharmacist in the region. Times like this reminds us all once again the indispensable role pharmacists play in the community as primary healthcare providers to ensure the local community has continued access to medicines and health care.

 

“We cannot wait for natural disasters to happen before we put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities. Making continued dispensing arrangements permanent for all medicines, for example, would allow pharmacists to take a proactive role in the post-disaster health of their communities.”

 

 

 

 

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.

 

2022 World Patient Safety Day – Pharmacists key to reducing medicine harm

16 September 2022

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is tomorrow celebrating the World Health Organisation’s World Patient Safety Day, championing medicine safety on a global scale. The theme for this year’s World Patient Safety Day is Medication Without Harm.

 

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said that World Patient Safety Day is a reminder for patients and pharmacists.

 

“Unsafe medicine practices and errors with medicine are the leading cause of avoidable harm across the world,” Dr Sim said.

 

PSA’s first medicine safety report, Medicine Safety: Take Care estimated that medicine-related problems cause 250,000 hospital admissions each year, with an annual cost of approximately $1.4 billion, and at least half of these hospital admissions being preventable.

 

“Pharmacists are the custodians of medicine safety and play a significant role in making sure that our patients are safe when taking medicines. A large part of our role as pharmacists is to talk with our patients to promote the highest standards of medicine safety to ultimately reduce the risks that lead to medicine errors and medicine-related harm.

 

“This is why pharmacists need to be embedded everywhere that medicines are used.”

 

“Medicine safety is the responsibility not only of the health care provider, but also of the patient themselves.

 

“On this World Patient Safety Day, we urge all Australians to check their medicine cabinet, check expiry dates, and throw away any expired medication. It is vital that all patients know their medications and always take them as instructed to avoid medicine harm. If you are unsure about anything related to your medicines, go and speak to your local pharmacist.

 

“While World Patient Safety Day is a great reminder of our goal to reduce medicine-related harm, we must practise safe medicine practises every day,” Dr Sim concluded.

 

Medicine Safety Facts

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care report found that:

• 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year because of medication error, misuse and misadventure.
• Another 400,000 presentations to emergency departments are likely to be due to medication-related problems.
• This costs Australia approximately $1.4 billion in hospital admissions alone.
• 50% of this harm is preventable.
• Over 90% of patients have at least one medication-related problem post-discharge from hospital.
• One in five people are suffering an adverse medication reaction at the time they receive a Home Medicines Review.
• 2 million Australians have experienced an adverse medication event in the last 6 months.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Aged Care report found that:

• Over 95% of people living in aged care facilities have at least one problem with their medicines detected at the time of a medicines review; most have three problems
• One in five unplanned hospital admissions among people living in aged care facilities are a result of taking medicines generally considered potentially inappropriate for older people.
• 40-50% of people living in aged care are on medicines that have the potential to cause sedation or confusion.
• 50% of people with dementia are taking medicines with anticholinergic properties, which can worsen confusion and other symptoms of dementia.
• One fifth of people living in aged care are on antipsychotics; more than half use the medicine for too long.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Rural and Remote Care report found that:

• 72,500 rural and remote Australians are admitted to hospital each year due to medicine-related problems.
• The estimated cost to the Australian healthcare system of these admissions is $400 million each year. At least half of this harm is preventable.
• 3 million rural and remote Australians do not take their medicines at all or as intended adding an estimated $2.03 billion to our annual healthcare costs.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Disability Care report found that:

• People with disability face challenges at all stages of medicine use – prescribing, dispensing, administration and adherence, and monitoring.
• Almost 3 in 4 people with intellectual disability in a residential facility have been chemically restrained for more than five years.

 

 

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.