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

Join us tomorrow afternoon for the PSA 2021 Excellence Awards

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) virtual Excellence Awards ceremony will take place tomorrow, Friday 24^th September, from 5:30pm-6:15pm – via YouTube livestream.

 

The event is sponsored by Viatris, along with award sponsors Symbion and MIMS. The Symbion Excellence Awards acknowledge the standout achievers of the profession: those involved in innovative practice, those who are striving to raise practice standards, and those who, through their professionalism, provide a model of practice which others strive to emulate.

 

The MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year, Symbion Pharmacist of the Year, Symbion Early Career Pharmacist of the Year and Symbion Lifetime Achievement Award winners will be announced tomorrow evening, as part of World Pharmacists Day celebrations. Zoe Robinson, the winner of the Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year award, announced at the PSA21 virtual conference, will also make a guest appearance.

 

PSA extends its sincere thanks to the event sponsor, Viatris, and award sponsors, Symbion and MIMS, for their ongoing support of these annual awards, in recognition of outstanding pharmacists and students. 

 

The Intern of the Year winner will receive a prize of $5,000, and winners of the other categories will receive a prize of $9,000 to spend on PSA conferences, courses, membership or subscriptions.

 

Please join us via the below link as we celebrate excellence across our profession, for what is sure to be a unique virtual event.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ6R89hJTWc

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

World Pharmacists Day is fast approaching

World Pharmacists Day is this Saturday, 25^th September, and this year’s theme is Pharmacy: Always trusted for your health.

 

This week, in the lead up to World Pharmacists Day, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) will be shining a spotlight on a variety of different practice areas and highlighting the many varied roles that pharmacists are trusted to fulfil, to demonstrate the significance of pharmacists on the frontline of Australia’s healthcare system.

 

PSA National Vice President, Renae Beardmore, said: “Australian pharmacists are our most accessible frontline health workers, leading by example through the current global health crisis, and throughout the 2019 bushfires.

 

“They have all stepped up when their patients and communities needed them the most – and are some of Australia’s unsung heroes.

 

“They have had to contend with public panic, anxiety, constantly changing regulations, medicine shortages, and unfortunately in some cases, abusive behaviour. They have also had to contend with the fear of becoming sick, and the fear of taking it home to their own families.

 

“And they have stepped up once again, playing a crucial role in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout with pharmacies having administered over half a million vaccines so far.

 

“No matter the practice environment, PSA continues to fight for improved working conditions and fairer recognition for our frontline heroes.

 

“This week we aim to educate Australians on the full scope in which pharmacists practice, and the significant role we play as custodians of medicine safety.”

 

Ms Beardmore went on to discuss Friday night’s Excellence Awards, PSA’s most esteemed acknowledgement of exemplary practice across the profession.

 

“This Friday, 24th September, PSA will be hosting the 2021 Excellence Awards – being held as a public livestream broadcast on YouTube. Please join us at 5:30pm in recognising exemplars of our critical profession.

 

“I encourage all Australian pharmacists, current and former, to get involved in this week-long celebration by printing off our trust speech bubbles, writing and sharing your own trust statements, photos and patient stories – all of which can be accessed via our website, and joining us for the Awards this Friday evening,” Ms Beardmore said.

 

For more information on this week’s schedule or how you can get involved, please visit our World Pharmacists Day website or contact media@psa.org.au.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA welcomes first pharmacist-led vaccine pharmacovigilance system

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the new pharmacist-led pharmacovigilance system that will monitor potential adverse events following vaccination with the Moderna Spikevax vaccine.

 

The University of Western Australia and MedAdvisor are a working together to deliver a real-time, pharmacovigilance monitoring system that will provide critical safety data on the Moderna vaccine. This system will feed information into Australia’s national vaccine safety surveillance program, AusVaxSafety – a program that is supported by pharmacists across the country.

 

This is the first pharmacist-led pharmacovigilance system, and around one hundred pharmacies will be participating. The system actively follows up with patients who have received the Moderna vaccine in the days following vaccination, providing real-time insight into potential adverse events that may have occurred as a result of immunisation. This pharmacy-based system will allow government and industry to better monitor and respond to potential adverse effect signals from the Moderna vaccine.

 

Dr Fei Sim, PSA Board Member and Chair of the Contemporary Community Pharmacy Practice Community of Specialty Interest, expressed her support for the system and explained why this is so important for the community and the profession.

 

“As a practising pharmacist immuniser and pharmacy owner, I am very pleased that such a system has been developed, and that this is the first system to be implemented by pharmacists. Local pharmacists have administered over half a million COVID-19 vaccinations so far, and are having conversations with their patients on a daily basis.

 

“This system will help ensure that pharmacists and their patients are equipped with the most accurate, reliable, and up-to-date safety information – and will play a significant role in addressing any remaining hesitancy in our community.

 

“Where other pharmacovigilance systems – such as those used for the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines – have largely been implemented by General Practice and vaccination hubs, this is the first system to be solely implemented by pharmacists. This reinforces the crucial role that pharmacists play as part of Australia’s immunisation workforce, and as custodians of medicine safety,” Dr Sim said.

 

PSA looks forward to the rollout of the Moderna vaccine and is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering all COVID-19 vaccines both safely and effectively to the public.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Tasmanian Branch welcomes new leadership

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Tasmanian Branch welcomes new leadership, electing a new Branch President and Vice President.

 

Earlier this week, PSA’s Tasmanian Branch Committee elected David Peachey as Branch President, and Anne Todd as Vice President.

 

PSA also congratulates Ilwoo Park and Hany Aita on their elevation to members of the Branch Committee.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, congratulated the newly elected members and thanked Dr Ella van Tienen for her service as Branch President.

 

“I congratulate David and Anne on their appointments to lead the Branch. Drawing on their extensive experience and skillsets, they will advocate for the profession and promote membership across Tasmania.

 

“David is a strong proponent of contemporary pharmacy practice, driven by best practice and placing the patient at the centre of care delivery.

 

“Their appointments will ensure members’ interests are represented as part of the Member First pillar of PSA’s Strategic Intent.”

 

A/Prof Freeman extended thanks to Dr van Tienen for her outstanding contribution to the role and the pharmacy profession.

 

“Over the past five years, Ella has led the Branch by example and we are delighted that she will continue to serve the Branch as State Manager.

 

“I would also like to thank Shane Jackson for his interim leadership in the role, now resuming his seat as one of the two Vice President’s on the Tasmanian Branch Committee,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA is excited by these appointments and is relishing the opportunity to work closely with this experienced group of leaders.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA CSI Week: The Respiratory Care CSI

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced the final Community of Specialty Interest (CSI) of CSI Week, devoted to respiratory care.

 

From today, the Respiratory Care (RC) CSI, Chaired by Professor Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich, has been made available to PSA members.

 

The RC CSI was established with an initial focus on the current status of asthma management in pharmacy practice, and the role of the pharmacist in respiratory management. This group aims to develop a framework for a Respiratory Toolkit and a National Respiratory Advocacy Strategy.

 

Professor Bosnic-Anticevich shed light on the new forum.

 

“It is quite clear that over the last 5-10 years the respiratory landscape has been changing. Our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic obstructive lung diseases, specifically asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, has meant that the delivery of care has also needed to change. This has implications for pharmacy and pharmacists, and while guidelines provide the overall context for the delivery of care, they are rarely fit for purpose for pharmacy.

 

“The Respiratory CSI will bring together pharmacists across the spectrum of practice, from research, education, and advocacy. It will enable a dynamic and vibrant platform where practising pharmacists will have the opportunity to input and impact on the strategies developed for the delivery of respiratory care in the community and across the continuum of care.

 

“This CSI will ensure that practice-based initiatives for respiratory care are developed and enabled by pharmacists for pharmacists. It is only through this profession-based approach that patients with respiratory conditions can receive maximum benefit from pharmacy services, which are effective and sustainable in the real world setting.

 

“Members will gain the opportunity of having a voice and providing advice and influence into the development of strategies for the profession around respiratory care. They will have the professional advantage to engage with leaders within the respiratory field and to influence the development of policy recommendations.

 

“In addition, they will gain access to the latest medical findings in the field of respiratory medicines, have the opportunity to develop leadership skills within the profession, and will gain exposure to inter-professional colleagues as they relate to respiratory care. Their involvement can evolve as their needs and ambitions change over time,” Professor Bosnic-Anticevich said.

 

To register for the RC CSI, please visit https://my.psa.org.au/s/csi-groups/respiratory-care. For more information on PSA CSIs please visit our website.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

PSA CSI Week: The Interdisciplinary Team-based Care CSI

On day two of CSI Week, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced its third Community of Specialty Interest.

 

Today, 14^th September, PSA has launched the Interdisciplinary Team-based Care (ITBC) CSI, Chaired by consultant clinical pharmacist, Debbie Rigby.

 

An interdisciplinary approach is the preferred model of care to optimise medication management by working collaboratively, with a common purpose, to set goals, make decisions, and share resources and responsibilities.

 

The care team need to work together to provide and implement a medication management plan that meets the patient’s goals and needs. The ITBC CSI will connect, engage, and empower pharmacists with a passion for collaboration, judicious and safe use of medications, and optimal patient outcomes.

 

Ms Rigby explained how this group will further the PSA and the profession as a whole.

 

“The Interdisciplinary Team-based Care CSI will bring pharmacists working across different models of care and programs such as HMRs and RMMRs together. The forum allows them to discuss hot topics and challenges with other pharmacists, share interesting patient cases, identify educational needs, and provide a voice to inform PSA on policy and advocacy.

 

“Medicine safety is a national health priority, and pharmacists can contribute much more to this important issue through an interdisciplinary approach. An interdisciplinary approach involves team members from different disciplines working collaboratively, with a common purpose, to set goals, make decisions, and share resources and responsibilities.

 

“The introduction of CSIs is an exciting member benefit, with the potential to provide a voice for pharmacists working in innovative and future models of practice. Members of the CSI will have input into relevant consultation papers, evaluation and review of current professional programs, and CPD planning and delivery – helping to create our preferred future as pharmacists.

 

“Creating a social network of pharmacists both practicing and aspiring to practice in collaborative care, will provide opportunities to pick the brains of clinical experts and benefit from their experience. PSA will benefit from the perspective and experience of pharmacists practising in interdisciplinary team-based care to better target their member offerings,” Ms Rigby said.

 

To register for the ITBC CSI, please visit https://my.psa.org.au/s/csi-groups/interdisciplinary-teambased-care.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

TAS pharmacists ready to immunise +12 years against COVID-19

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Tasmanian Branch welcomes advice from the Tasmanian Department of Health on Friday that pharmacists will be able to administer the Moderna vaccine to Tasmanians 12 years and older.

 

Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine is expected to start arriving at approved Tasmanian pharmacies later this week, with all approved pharmacies expected to have the vaccines by the end of September. The vaccine will be available for anyone aged 12-59.

 

PSA Tasmanian Branch Vice President, Shane Jackson, welcomed this announcement.

 

“Tasmania’s vaccination rate continues to track well against other jurisdictions. With local pharmacies exclusively set to receive the first doses of Moderna around the country, this allows pharmacists to administer the Moderna vaccine to those aged 12 and over – improving vaccine accessibility for Tasmanians.

 

“The data shows that pharmacists have played a significant role in the rollout thus far, and with increased vaccine choice, pharmacists, as one of our most accessible healthcare workforces, must continue to play a key role in vaccinating younger Australians,” Mr Jackson said.

 

PSA looks forward to the arrival of the Moderna vaccine over the coming days and is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering all COVID-19 vaccines both safely and effectively to the public.

 

Approved pharmacies offering the Moderna vaccine from 12 years and older will be loaded on the COVID-19 Eligibility Checker later this month https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-checker.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463