PSA COVID-19 Senate submission highlights issues in Australia’s response

Friday 17 July 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Governments response to COVID-19 highlights the serious challenges faced by pharmacists as they were neglected by legislators and left out of key policy responses during the pandemic.

 

Pharmacist across the country rose to the challenge of COVID-19, keeping their doors open to ensure the community had physical access to critical health services and essential medicines.

 

PSA’s submission details the issues experienced by pharmacists, including barriers which restricted pharmacists from providing patients the best possible care during the pandemic. with the submission also tables recommendations to ensure limitations can be proactively adapted into future benefits to all Australians.

 

The key issues highlighted in the submission centres around medicines shortages, digital image prescribing, regulatory confusion between the Commonwealth and State jurisdictions and the challenges with medicine shortages.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the findings in the submission also examined the extraordinary strength and purpose pharmacists demonstrated in supporting Australians under unparalleled pressure and community panic.

 

“Pharmacists and their staff feel forgotten by State and Federal Governments during this pandemic,” he said.

 

“Community pharmacists remained open throughout the entire pandemic to deliver health care and meet the needs of patients, carers and the public.

 

“It is disappointing that pharmacists were not always fully consulted when policy and implementation decisions were being made, including those affecting the pharmacy profession.

 

“There were even cases when the law had to be circumvented in order to provide the care expected by patients due to disparities between State and Federal legislation.

 

“It is necessary to raise concerns and provide recommendations to ensure the Government is prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19 as well as future public health emergencies.”

 

In the submission, PSA provided 15 recommendations including ensuring adequate supply of personal protection, invoking systematic medicine supply restrictions in a timely manner and providing clear public heath messaging.

 

A/Prof Freeman said that while PSA acknowledges the Australian Government’s rapid and decisive response that helped Australia contain the pandemic, this does not mean that there were not lessons to be learnt for the future.

 

“I have no doubt that legislative changes and decisions made by the Government contributed to lower infection rates in the global context however there were challenges in some policies and decisions made that had a negative impact on pharmacists.

 

“In putting forward this submission I hope the good work of pharmacists under extreme pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic is recognised and our recommendations lead to positive change going forward that will help pharmacists support patients and all Australians.”

 

To view the PSA submission please visit: http://www-dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/200717_Submission_to_Senate_inquiry_into_COVID-19.pdf

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

Tasmanian Patients Embrace Electronic Prescribing

Thursday July 16 2020

 

Tasmania became the latest state to use electronic prescribing via communities of interest with TerryWhite Chemmart Prospect Vale in Launceston successfully dispensing medicines via a token model just last week.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Tasmania Branch President Ella Van Tienen said electronic prescribing will present a significant addition to how patients will receive and use prescriptions and it is important that it is first operated through communities of interest before being rolled out to the wider community.

 

“The introduction of electronic prescribing will have a big impact on workflow and many pharmacies are in the process of connecting to a prescription delivery service so they can access and dispense electronic prescriptions,” she said.

 

“While some pharmacies will take up electronic prescribing immediately others will probably need a little bit of time to prepare, however once implemented into pharmacists’ workflow it will streamline dispensing services significantly.

 

“To assist pharmacies preparing for electronic prescribing, PSA has set up a dedicated support line to help pharmacies get ready for electronic prescribing and this service will now be available until the end of September.”

 

Communities of interest that will focus on the Active Script List (ASL) model are due to commence from next month, with wider availability of that model from October, according to ADHA advice.

 

All states and territories have made legislative changes to recognise electronic prescriptions except Queensland who are likely to implement the changes in the next couple of weeks.

 

PSA’s specially trained electronic prescriptions team are available to answer questions on electronic prescribing between 8:30am – 7:00pm Monday to Friday on 1300 955 162 or by emailing ep@psa.org.au.

 

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

Recognising pharmacists providing diabetes support

Wednesday 15 July 2020

 

People with diabetes make up to 180 diabetes-related health decisions every day – amassing to over 65,000 individual decisions a year.  This National Diabetes Week 2020 is focused on mental and emotional health issues faced by individuals with diabetes.

 

The Heads Up on Diabetes campaign is aimed at raising awareness of this burden and recognising the vital support being provided to people with diabetes by Australian Pharmacists and Pharmacist diabetes educators.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is taking stock to recognise the important relationship between a person who has diabetes, their pharmacist and health care team.

 

Credentialled diabetes educator and pharmacist Kirrily Chambers said Pharmacists are 7-14 times more likely than any other health care professional to see people with health conditions therefore are in the best position to talk to people with diabetes about their concerns and help them navigate their diabetes.

 

“Understanding diabetes is a complex and complicated health condition, and most people learn in their own time,” she said.

 

“Pharmacists can help in this journey since they will normally see the person frequently and knowing when to refer is also a critical part of the health care team.

 

“Pharmacists help patients understand why they are taking their medication and that type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition which means over time they will need an increase in dose of tablets and maybe long term insulin.”

 

Ms Chambers also addressed how pharmacists help diabetes patients with their mental and emotional health.

 

“Like any health professional it is very important that we are careful with our language with individuals with diabetes so as not to make a person feel guilty for having it,” she said.

 

“Correct language, I believe, is one way we can help reduce the mental burden of chronic health conditions including diabetes and if pharmacists make correct language a focus, we remove the guilt and open channels of communication which allows people to feel comfortable to ask questions and learn more when they need to.”

 

As part of National Diabetes Week the Federal Government announced a $47 million investment in research to help fast track new treatments for diabetes and heart disease, also recently extending funding for the National Diabetes Service Scheme for a further 12 months.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the announcement and praised the role of pharmacists in treating and caring for people with diabetes.

 

“Pharmacists play a very important role as part of the diabetes care team from screening for the disease through to treatment and medication management,” he said.

 

“As medicines experts pharmacists assist people with diabetes in understanding their diabetes medicines, improve self-monitoring, and blood glucose control ultimately reducing the risk of a patient developing complications associated with diabetes.

 

“The delivery of MedsChecks services encourages pharmacists to work collaboratively with the person with diabetes, prescriber and other relevant members of the healthcare team to enhance patient care as well as support the physical and mental wellbeing of patients.

 

“It is important that diabetes week helps shine a light on the physical and mental health challenges faced by those suffering from all types of diabetes which can lead to meaningful discussion about the impacts diabetes can have on a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

 

“I strongly encourage all patients living with diabetes to makes sure they are connected with their pharmacist as part of their broader healthcare team.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media 0487 922 176

New Training Modules to support QUM services

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has developed three online CPD modules to support pharmacists in providing optimal Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services to residential aged care facilities.

 

The three modules which all cover key topics relevant to these services are Providing a QUM service, Psychotropic medicines and Antimicrobial stewardship.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said these modules would greatly assist pharmacists in providing QUM services to our most vulnerable in aged care facilities.

 

“These modules will assist pharmacists to lift the bar in providing these services according to best practice and support the Guidelines for Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services which were updated and released in April this year,” he said.

 

“Our recent Medicine Safety: Aged Care report found that over 95 percent of people living in aged care facilities have at least one problem with their medicines detected at the time of a medicines review with most having at least three problems.”

 

“Pharmacists have an incredibly important role to play in reducing medication-related harm and ensuring medicines are used safely and appropriately.”

To accompany the modules, a suite of resources have been developed to assist pharmacists in providing QUM services.

 

These resources include audit tools for psychotropic medicines and antimicrobials, sample informed consent form, sample letter to prescribers on antimicrobial prescribing and use, staff presentations and fact sheets on psychotropic medicines and antimicrobials.

 

Also included are fact sheets for GPs, medical specialists and aged care staff on changes to HMR/RMMR rules (including referral and follow-ups), QUM Plan template and Sample QUM.

 

These guidelines have been developed with funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and can be found at: http://www-dev/mmg.

 

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

PSOTY state winners vie for national honours

State finalists have been selected for the 2020 Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) award, with the national competition to be held on Saturday July 18.

 

Students from all states competed against their peers to demonstrate their pharmacy knowledge and counselling techniques from which one finalist from each state was chosen to take part in the national event.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the PSOTY award gives pharmacy students the chance to showcase their skills to their peers and the wider profession.

 

“The caliber of students competing this year is incredibly high and I congratulate all the state winners who will be competing in the national competition,” he said.

 

“These awards encourage pharmacy students to learn and grow and provides an opportunity for them to further explore the role they will play as pharmacists.”

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the finals will be run live via webinar with the students to be presented with a patient who will act out a variety of symptoms.

 

Students will be able to ask the patient questions to find out more information and will then recommend a course of treatment and provide counselling advice with the panel of judges to pick the winning student as well as a winner chosen by the audience viewing online.

 

The winner will receive funding for pharmacy-specific education.

 

STATE FINALISTS

Emily Stevenson: University of Technology Sydney (NSW)

Thomas Duong: Monash University (VIC)

Batul Al Shakarji: James Cook University (QLD)

Emma Dunham: University of Tasmania (Tas)

Yik Xiian Chai: University of South Australia (SA)

Kurtis Gray: University of Western Australia (WA)

Melinda James (Wildcard winner – Qld)

 

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

PSA highlights unnecessary barriers in QLD COVID-19 submission

Tuesday 7 July 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) submission to the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee inquiry into the Queensland Government’s health response to COVID-19 highlights the serious challenges faced by pharmacists in Queensland during the pandemic.

 

Pharmacists across the state rose to the challenge of COVID-19, remaining open to ensure the community had physical access to critical health services and quality medicines.

 

PSA’s submission outlines the key issues faced by pharmacists, particularly barriers which restricted pharmacists from providing patients the best possible care during the pandemic along with recommendations to ensure limitations can be transformed into future benefits for Queenslanders.

 

Key issues highlighted in the submission centre around legislative disparities, lack of access to personal protective equipment and management and communication of medicine shortages.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald said while the Queensland Government’s overall health response helped contain the pandemic there are areas where improvements can be made to ensure that Queensland patients and families are better protected in the future.

 

“Pharmacists and their staff felt forgotten by the Government during this pandemic and it is disappointing that pharmacy leaders and pharmacists were not always fully consulted when policy and implementation decisions were being made,” he said.

 

“There are over 1200 community pharmacies in Queensland and as far as PSA is aware not a single one closed during the pandemic, remaining open to provide care, immunisations, medicines and supplies to all Queenslanders.

 

“It is necessary that we not only raise concerns but provide recommendations to ensure Queenslanders are better protected in the future or during a second wave of COVID-19.”

 

In the submission, PSA provided 11 recommendations including a mechanism to consult with PSA on matters relating to the supply of therapeutic goods, the appointment of a Queensland Chief Pharmacist, uniform legislations across all jurisdictions in consultation with other state and territories and adequate supply of personal protective equipment for hospital and community pharmacists and pharmacy staff.

 

Mr MacDonald said he hopes the submission will highlight the good work of pharmacists and pharmacy staff in Queensland under extreme pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“I am extremely proud of how the profession stood up and cared for the community during the pandemic and hope the recommendations lead to positive change going forward that will better allow pharmacists to care for their patients in Queensland.”

 

To view the submission please visit: https://my.psa.org.au/s/article/QPHCDSDFVPC

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

PSA welcomes new Rural Health Commissioner

Friday 3 July 2020

 

Rural health advocate, medical practitioner and researcher Associate Professor Ruth Stewart has been appointed as Australia’s next National Rural Health Commissioner (NRHC).

 

The Federal Government recently extended and expanded the office of the NRHC which will also see a broader focus to allied health including pharmacy in rural and remote areas.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the announcement, congratulating A/Prof Stewart on her appointment.

 

“Associate Professor Stewart brings a wealth of experience to this role and we look forward to working with her on behalf of pharmacists to improve rural health outcomes around Australia,” he said.

 

“As the most accessible healthcare provider, pharmacists are well-placed to perform a much greater role in Australia’s rural and remote communities.

 

“Highlighted in PSA’s Pharmacists in 2023, it is important to align incentives for pharmacists to support rural and remote communities as well as equip pharmacists with skills and knowledge to deliver closing-the-gap initiatives for indigenous Australian’s.”

 

“Importantly reducing unnecessary barriers to the Closing the Gap PBS Co-payment Measure has been identified within the 7^th Community Pharmacy Agreement.

 

“PSA also welcomes the intent to expand the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance within the 7^th Community Pharmacy Agreement to the modified Monash Model classification which will increase the eligibility for an additional 800 pharmacies.”

 

Following the NRC Discussion Paper for Consultation: Rural Allied Health Quality Access and Distribution late last year, PSA called for a number of actions to address the unique needs of the rural pharmacy workforce.”

 

A/Prof Freeman said it is important to prioritise the support that is available to rural pharmacists who play such an important role in the healthcare system.

 

“Unless we prioritise the support that is available to our rural practitioners, we will potentially lose our rural pharmacists and a crucial level of service delivery,” he said.

 

“As part of the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement $24.6 million has been allocated to rural support programs which is a good step forward.”

 

“PSA look forward to working with Government on these programs as well as progressing regional and rural health reforms with the NRHC and other healthcare bodies.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

Continued dispensing arrangements extended

Wednesday July 1

 

The Federal Government has announced from today it will extend the temporary Continued Dispensing Emergency Measures until at least 30 September 2020, allowing Australians to continue to access essential medicines at PBS prices if their prescription has run out.

 

Medicines supplied under this arrangement must have been previously prescribed and be for the continuation of current essential treatment where it is impractical to obtain a prescription.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the announcement and once again urged the Government to make continued dispensing arrangements permanent.

 

“This is a commonsense decision by the Federal Government with COVID-19 still posing a considerable risk in many parts of Australia,” he said.

 

“While the extension of the continued dispensing emergency arrangements is pleasing, PSA will continue to call for emergency supply provisions of this nature to be made standard practice.

 

“It is important that patients requiring chronic therapy are supported in emergency situations and can continue to receive their medication.

 

“All Australians for that matter need to be confident they can access vital medicines when faced with an emergency or disaster.”

 

A/Prof Freeman said PSA has been working with the Government to ensure all Australians can access essential medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“We will continue to work with Federal, State and Territory Governments during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to implement nationally consistent emergency supply provisions.”

 

“As front line health professionals, it is important that pharmacists have the necessary tools to ensure they can meet the health care needs of their patients and the community in a timely manner.”

 

Media contact: 0487 922 176

Improved access to important medicines in QLD

Thursday 25 June 2020

 

Queenslanders will now have improved access to oral contraceptives and medicinal cannabis following legislative amendments made by the Queensland Government.

 

While women have been able to access a supply of PBS subsidised oral contraceptive without a valid repeat prescription since 2012, this amendment will provide access to non-PBS subsidised brands of oral contraceptives.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Queensland Branch President Shane MacDonald welcomed the amendment that will help address the inequity of access to oral contraceptives.

 

“Enabling the supply of all brands of oral contraceptives to women, under similar circumstances to those stipulated in the PBS Continued Dispensing Determination is a common sense approach by the Queensland Government, he said.

 

“It is important that women in Queensland are able to access the brand of oral contraceptive they require when there is an immediate need for the supply to allow for continued treatment.”

 

The Queensland Government also announced it has made an amendment allowing all Queensland medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 and schedule 4 medicinal cannabis without the requirement to have a Queensland Health approval.

 

Previously, only specialist medical practitioners were able to prescribe these medicines without first applying for Queensland Health approval.

 

Mr MacDonald said this amendment will remove duplication in the approval process and simplify prescribing of medicinal cannabis.

 

“Decreasing the administrative burden and improving access to medicinal cannabis is an important step to ensure patients continue to access cannabis products legally,” he said.

 

“Any process that removes red tape and allows pharmacists and prescribers to focus on clinical care and medication safety, ultimately leads to better outcomes for patients and more efficient use of resource.

 

Approval from Queensland Health is still required when prescribing a schedule 8 medicinal cannabis product for a drug dependent person and the usual approval process for prescribing controlled drugs applies.

 

Media contact: PSA Queensland Branch President: Chris Campbell 0422 845 836

Nominations open to recognise pharmacist excellence

Thursday 25 June 2020

 

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Symbion Excellence awards and MIMs Intern Pharmacist of the year award.

 

The awards recognise and applaud outstanding pharmacists including the Pharmacist of the year, Early Career Pharmacist of the year, Lifetime Achievement award and Intern Pharmacist of the year.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman encouraged all pharmacists to nominate themselves or their peers for these prestigious awards.

 

“2020 has been an extraordinary year, one where pharmacists have gone above and beyond to serve the community, PSA wants to acknowledge you and to highlight the very best our profession had achieved this year,” he said.

 

“The Excellence and Intern Pharmacist of the year awards focus on pharmacists who have exemplified a contribution to the profession and have maintained the highest standards of commitment and professionalism.”

 

“There have been countless examples of pharmacists who continue to go above and beyond in this terrific profession and it is great to be able to recognise some of them in this way.”

 

The MIMs Intern Pharmacist of the year will receive a prize of $5000 with all three Symbion Excellence Award winners to receive $9000 to spend on PSA conferences, courses, membership or subscriptions.

 

Nominations close on Thursday 16 July 2020 with the winners to be announced as part of World Pharmacist Day on September 25 2020.

 

To nominate yourself or another pharmacist online please visit the following link: http://www-dev/award-nomination-form/.

 

For further information: awards@psa.org.au

 

Media contact: 0487 922 176