PSA welcomes Federal Government mental health initiative

18 May 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the announcement made by the Federal Government that will see an extra $48.1 million put towards the COVID-19 mental health plan.

 

Announced by the Federal Minister Greg Hunt, $7.3 million will be used for research and real-time data, $29.5 million for outreach to vulnerable communities and $11.3 million for communication and other outreach programs.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said this announcement would not only benefit health professionals, including pharmacists that have been on the frontline during COVID-19, but all Australians.

 

“This has been a tough time for many Australians, including pharmacists who have continued to provide an essential service to the community throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

 

“Pharmacists working during COVID-19, have not only had to care for patients but also had to look after the safety and wellbeing of their colleagues, family and friends, as well as themselves.

 

“I would ask any pharmacist’s struggling at the moment to reach out for help.

 

“PSA is delivering Mental Health First Aid training to Australian Pharmacists and Pharmacy staff to support them – as they support the community.

 

“Pharmacists are often the first health professional people will see in a disaster, PSA is committed to equipping pharmacists and pharmacy staff to be able to identify patients who might be in need of professional mental health services and referring them to the care they need.”

 

There are a range of support services available including on our PSA microsite, the pharmacist Support Service or Beyond Blue.”

 

Support services are available on the dedicated PSA COVID-19 microsite: www-dev/coronavirus

 

Pharmacists’ Support Service is available on 1300 244 910 and Beyond Blue 1800 512 348.

 

Media contact: PSA media: 0487 922 176

 

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Supply of PBS medicines now allowed in Queensland through digital image

Friday, 15 March

 

Queensland has become the latest state to allow the prescribing of PBS medicines through a digital image following an announcement by Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles.

 

Under this Special Arrangement, which begins Monday 18 May, prescribers can provide a digital image or copy of a person’s prescription following a telehealth consultation to the patient’s pharmacy of choice via fax, email or text message.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President Chris Campbell welcomed the announcement which brings Queensland in-line with all the other states and territories when it comes to digital image prescribing.

 

“This announcement will greatly decrease workload for pharmacists who will no longer be required to manually process prescriptions,” he said.

 

“The process for pharmacies to receive a patients prescription from the prescriber will now be a lot quicker and provides Queenslanders with more options to reduce the need to leave their home during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

“This eliminates the issue of patients having to wait sometimes days for paper prescriptions to reach the pharmacy following a telehealth consultation.

 

“It is important Queenslanders continue to receive timely healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and I congratulate the Queensland Government on making this necessary change.”

 

Digital image prescriptions will remain in place until the end of September 2020 with paper prescriptions also available during this period like they have always been.

 

For more information please visit the dedicated PSA COVID-19 microsite

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

 

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Pharmacists in NSW now able to administer vaccinations outside of pharmacy

8 May 2020

 

Those most vulnerable in New South Wales will now be better protected following an announcement by the NSW Government today that will allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations outside of a community pharmacy.

 

In a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, pharmacists are now able to provide vaccinations in places such as residential aged care settings, Aboriginal Medical Services, private and public hospitals and community health centres as well as community pharmacies.

 

PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll congratulated the NSW Government and welcomed the initiative which will ensure community pharmacists can help vaccinate more people against vaccine preventable diseases such as influenza.

 

“This will be particularly beneficial to people having difficulties accessing vaccinations, such as those who may be housebound or residents of aged care facilities,” he said.

 

“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure due to COVID-19, increasing options for more people in NSW to access vaccinations is vital.

 

“We are seeing a particularly large uptake of people accessing the influenza vaccine this year and pharmacists continue to play a role in keeping our communities safe.”

 

This change comes just two months after the NSW Government announced that pharmacists are able to administer the influenza vaccination to children aged 10 years and above, helping to increase the vaccination rates across the state.

 

As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA will continue to work with the NSW Government to remove barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to better protect the community.”

 

Media contact: PSA NSW State Manager, Simone Diamandis – 0414 574 754

 

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Updated medication management practice guidelines now available.

22 April 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has updated practice guidelines for pharmacists on conducting medication management reviews and providing Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services to residential aged care facilities to incorporate current best practice when providing these services.

 

The Guidelines for comprehensive medication management reviews provide pharmacists with best practice guidance when providing medication management review services, such as Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs).

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the updates to these guidelines are timely given the recent Federal Government announcements to make medication review programs available via telehealth and allow two additional HMR and RMMR follow-ups with patients following the initial review.

 

”The revised guidelines are designed to support pharmacists in providing quality medication management services and improve the quality use of medicines in the community,” he said.

 

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

 

”These guidelines will also provide guidance and support for pharmacists in implementing program changes in practice, such as the utilisation of follow-ups after the initial HMR or RMMR.”

 

They include guidance on considerations when recommending and undertaking follow-ups after the initial review, as well as highlighting the importance of collaboration and communication with the healthcare team and the role of pharmacists as part of this team when providing medication management review services.

 

The Guidelines for Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) services provides best practice guidance for pharmacists providing Quality Use of Medicines services in residential aged care facilities.

 

Information is provided on how to plan and undertake QUM activities that form part of a QUM Plan for the facility and will contribute to continuous quality improvement.

 

There are also examples of QUM activities that pharmacists may undertake and suggestions for the frequencies at which these activities should be undertaken are provided.

 

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

 

Media contact: PSA media: 0487 922 176

 

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Remunerated medicine review follow-ups now allowed

21 April 2020

 

Australia’s elderly will be better supported to avoid medicine-related harm following important changes to Home Medicine Review (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) programs announced by the Government today.

 

In a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), from Tuesday April 21, accredited pharmacists will be allowed two additional HMR and RMMR follow-ups with patients within nine months of the initial review.

 

Previously allowed just one review per patient every 24 months, PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said allowing additional medicine reviews was a necessary step to ensure elderly patients were properly cared for when it comes to the medicines they are taking.

 

“As medicines experts it is essential that pharmacists are able to properly review patient’s medications as well as provide advice to other members of the health care team to ensure the safe and quality use of medicines for the elderly,” he said.

 

“At a time where so much attention is given to managing the immediate COVID-19 pandemic, we must also not lose sight on the importance of chronic disease management and the safe and quality use of medicines.

 

“Medicine-related problems lead to 250,000 hospital admissions each year costing $1.4 billion annually. Patients who take more than one medicine are at risk of problems associated with their medicines and HMRs are vitally important in identifying these issues.

 

“The PSA has long advocated for a system that allows for medicine reviews to be conducted frequently that is dependent on patient’s needs, with meaningful follow-up and I commend the Government for making this necessary change.”

 

The programs will also now be able to be referred by other medical practitioners, not just General Practitioners which will allow for specialists in aged or chronic care to refer where a GP may not be available.

 

A/Prof Freeman said this measure on the back of the Government’s announcement last Friday to allow medicine reviews via telehealth will help deliver on the recommendations contained in the interim report into the Royal Commission into Safety and Quality in Aged Care.

 

“These services are very important for patients at risk of medicine related harm and important for the pharmacists and pharmacies whose livelihoods are supported by providing these essential medicine review services,” he said.

 

“I am proud that or skilled profession will be able to continue its vital role in supporting medicine safety through these medicine review programs.

 

“PSA will continue to work with the Government, the aged care sector and other healthcare professionals, residents and families to improve medicine safety in the community.”

 

Media contact: PSA media: 0487 922 176

 

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Medication reviews via telehealth to better protect Australians

17 April 2020

 

Australians will be better supported to avoid medicine-related harm during the COVID-19 pandemic following the announcement that pharmacists will able to undertake a MedsCheck, Diabetes MedsCheck, Home Medicines Review or Residential Medication Management Review via telehealth.

 

In a move that has been strongly supported by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the Government announced today that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where a patient has been identified as eligible, according to the relevant program rules medication reviews can take place via video or teleconference from 21 April 2020.

 

PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said this measure to allow medicine reviews via telehealth will ensure those most vulnerable in the community were able to remain isolated but still receive vitally important medicine reviews.

 

“Throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists are adapting and innovating to ensure they continue to provide the best healthcare for their communities,” he said.

 

“Allowing medicine reviews via telehealth whether it be on videoconference or teleconference is a commonsense decision made by the Government to ensure Australians continue to receive the support and medicine safety information they need without the risk of contracting COVID-19.

 

“This announcement also helps reduce the risk to pharmacists, who now no longer need to deliver essential comprehensive medication reviews face to face and run the risk of getting contracting COVID-19 themselves.”

 

A/Prof Freeman said while PSA welcomes this announcement he will continue to work with the Government and other healthcare professionals to improve medicine safety in the community, particularly around Home Medicine Review (HMR) follow-ups.

 

“Currently pharmacists can provide just one HMR per patient every 24 months with similar restrictions imposed on RMMR and MedsCheck programs and I am calling on the Government to allow pharmacists to be able to perform additional follow-ups as clinically necessary,” he said.

 

“As medicines experts it is essential that pharmacists are able to properly review patient’s medications as well as provide advice to other members of the health care team to ensure the safe and quality use of medicines for the elderly,” he said.

 

“In a time where so much attention is given to managing the immediate COVID-19 pandemic, we must also not lose sight on the importance of chronic disease management and the safe and quality use of medicines”

 

“Medicine-related problems lead to 250,000 hospital admissions each year costing $1.4 billion annually. Patients who take more than one medicine are at risk of problems associated with their medicines and medication review services are vitally important in identifying these issues.

 

For further information please visit the dedicated PSA COVID-19 Webpage.

 

Media contact: PSA media: 0487 922 176

 

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Queenslanders to be better protected during COVID-19

11 April 2020

 

Queenslanders will be better protected by pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic with increased access to vaccines and essential medicines following a number of announcements made by the Queensland Government today, many of them not yet seen in other states and territories.

 

In a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), pharmacists will be able to supply an alternative suitable medicine to a patient if supplies of a usual medicine are unavailable, once enacted under protocols currently under development by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for prescribed Schedule 4 restricted drugs.

 

Patients will also be able to receive a maximum PBS quantity or pack size without a prescription, where the pharmacist is satisfied there is immediate need, usually a months’ supply for most medicines.

 

PSA Queensland President Chris Campbell congratulated the Queensland Government for making these necessary changes that will assist pharmacists in providing necessary care to their patients and the community.

 

“PSA fully supports and thanks the Queensland Government for this common-sense approach that will provide certainty to patients who cannot access their medicines due to the impact of COVID-19 or might be worried about a certain medicine being out of stock, “he said.

 

“Queensland is the first state or territory to enable pharmacists to implement the TGA therapeutic substitution protocols when they are released, which is one of many measures the Government, through pharmacists are tackling the growing issue of medicines shortage around Australia.

 

“Dispensing therapeutic substitutions to patients is well within the current skillset of every pharmacist in Queensland and it is very important we continue to work with the Government and TGA to ensure there is as little bureaucratic red tape as possible and patient care and safety are paramount.

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has called for and worked with the Queensland Government to give pharmacists more scope to ensure patients continue to receive essential medicines and these changes are a good step forward.”

 

The Queensland Government also announced that pharmacists will be able to administer the meningococcal vaccine to children aged 10 and older (previously 16 and older) as well as allowing Queensland pharmacists to be the first pharmacists in Australia to provide the Pneumococcal vaccination, adding to the growing number of immunisations provided by pharmacists in Queensland.

 

Mr Campbell said as part of these announcements by the Health Minister Steven Miles, community pharmacists will also be able to administer the COVID 19 vaccination when it is available, another Australian first.

 

“This forward thinking plan will allow the most rapid uptake of COVID 19 immunisation possible, leveraging off the wide network of pharmacists in the state and will help to rapidly protect Queenslanders and will save lives,” he said.

 

“Pharmacists are on the front line of health care and are doing a tremendous job of supporting the community during the COVID crisis.

 

“We are seeing more and more patients get the influenza shot this year in pharmacy than ever before, last year over 2 million influenza vaccinations were provided by pharmacists, this year with the improvement in access from 10 years and older in QLD people are quite rightly choosing to be Immunised.”

 

PSA will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Queensland Government to support pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources can be found through the PSA COVID-19 web page: www-dev/coronavirus

 

PSA contact: Chris Campbell PSA QLD President 0401 704 097

 

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People in the ACT better protected following vaccination announcement

8 April 2020

 

Families with children aged 10 and older will today be able to access the influenza vaccination through community pharmacy. This means more members of the ACT Community can access vital influenza vaccinations prior to the flu season, through their local professional pharmacist.

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed decisions by the ACT Government to: lower the age of influenza vaccination in community Pharmacy to 10 years old; remove the restriction on administering the influenza vaccination to a person who is pregnant; and for the first time to enable trained pharmacists in the ACT to administer measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines to people aged 16 and older.

 

PSA ACT Branch President Renae Beardmore said this announcement is timely given the ongoing threat of COVID-19 leading into the flu season and also brings the ACT in-line with other states and territories.

 

“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure due to COVID-19, increasing options for more people in the ACT to access vaccinations is vital,” Ms Beardmore said.

 

“The decision to lower the age to 10 years and older for the influenza vaccine will protect younger children and make it more convenient for families, improving rates of immunisation across the ACT.

 

“Pharmacists are more accessible to the community than any other health provider and combined with the trust consumers have in the profession, these changes will allow pharmacists to make a greater contribution to increasing immunity across the ACT.

 

Ms Beardmore commended the Government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more people in the ACT from influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has advocated for many years, including most recently in PSA’s 2020-21 ACT pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to deliver more vaccinations to a wider range of patients.

 

“PSA will continue to work closely with the ACT Government to remove barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to better protect the community.”

 

PSA Contact: Angela Drayton: 0419 241 344

 

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Australians to access medicines without a prescription during COVID-19

31 March 2020

 

All Australians will be able to access their essential medicines continued by a pharmacist at PBS prices if their prescription has run out under continued dispensing arrangements announced by the Federal Government today.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the announcement made by the government which will see continued dispensing arrangements extended until at least the end of June and the implementation of medicine substitution when medicines are out of stock following consultation with states and territories.

 

“This will enable Australians to continue access their vital medicines as a “one-off” in an emergency if they cannot get a prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

 

“Subject to professional guidelines and state and territory regulation, the initiative allows for a standard pack size of most ongoing prescription medicines to be provided, usually equivalent to one month’s supply.

 

PSA has been working with the Federal Government to ensure the emergency measure is extended during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Medicines supplied under this arrangement are available at regular PBS prices – standard co-payments being $6.60 for concession card holders, and up to a maximum of $41 for general patients.

 

A/Prof Freeman congratulated the coordination of states and territories and the Commonwealth on working to enact the regulatory changes required in relation to both PBS funding and legality of supply and noted that it is understood that all states and territories if not already aligned intend to have aligning legislation.

 

“While this announcement is welcomed by PSA, we will continue to call for permanent emergency supply provisions of this nature.

 

“Whether it be a bushfire, pandemic or any other emergency, Australians need to be confident they can access medicines in an emergency from the time they strike.

 

“We will continue to work with the Federal Government, in collaboration with its state and territory counterparts, after this crisis subsides to permanently incorporate effective and nationally consistent emergency supply provisions.”

 

“As front line health professionals, pharmacists continue to play a vital role during the current COVID-19 pandemic and it is important they receive all the tools necessary to ensure they can deliver services in a timely manner that meets the health care needs of their patients and the community.”

 

The Federal Government also announced it will be implementing changes to allow community pharmacists to substitute dose strengths or forms of medicines without prior approval from the prescribing doctor, if a medicine is unavailable at the time of dispensing.

 

“PSA strongly supports this announcement having worked in partnership with the Department of Health and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia for this much needed change.
“We will continue to work with the Government on the implantation of this common sense initiative.”

 

Media contact: 0487 922 176

 

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Prescribing Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

Saturday, 21 March 2020

 

Open letter to Prescribers

 

As the National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) representing Australia’s 32,000 Pharmacists, we are providing this open letter to all Australian prescribers regarding the Prescribing hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.

 

On the background of some promising data showing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 and with President Trump’s announcement yesterday, 20 March 2020, that the drug hydroxychloroquine may support the care of patients affected by COVID-19, Australian community pharmacies have seen unprecedented demand for the drug.

 

PSA is receiving reports from Australian pharmacists that they are receiving prescriptions from: doctors prescribing for other doctors and their families; as well as dentists prescribing to the community and their families; Non-medical prescribers prescribing bulk amounts of the drug. If this medication does indeed have the efficacy that we would desire against COVID-19 then it needs to be prescribed and used judiciously. The stock of this medication needs to be managed effectively and utilised for those who may genuinely need it.

 

Our strong advice to pharmacists at this point in time, until further advice is available, is to refuse the dispensing of hydroxychloroquine if there is not a genuine need, and that need is for those indications for what it is approved for – inflammatory conditions or the suppression and treatment of malaria The current stock of hydroxychloroquine needs to be managed sensibly, it needs to be available for those who are currently being prescribed this medicine, and it may also be needed for treatment of COVID-19 in the future. We are urging pharmacists to manage their existing stock if they have it sensibly, ensuring those who are currently prescribed the medicine have an existing supply.

 

PSA will continue to work with the Minister for Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) with regards to the appropriate management of national stockpiles and medicines stock in Australia. PSA would like to keep safe any stock of hydroxychloroquine held in local pharmacies – so it is available to treat patients who genuinely need this medicine. The only way this is possible is for prescribers to not write prescriptions for this medicine as a ‘just in case’ measure and for pharmacists to refuse the supply outside of these indications at this point in time.

 

While the data may not yet be clear, if hydroxychloroquine is shown to be effective for COVID-19, we want every dose available to treat those who may require it.

 

Yours sincerely,

Associate Professor Chris Freeman

PSA National President

 

Media contact: PSA media:  0487 922 176

 

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