Limits on dispensing to ensure equitable access of medicines

19 March 2020

 

From today, pharmacists will be enforcing Federal Government direction to limit dispensing and sales of prescriptions and certain over the counter medicines for the benefit of all Australians.

 

These limits will apply to particular classes of medicines for which unavailability would result in significant health impacts for patients should treatment be interrupted or delayed.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said limiting the dispensing of prescription and over-the-counter products to one month’s supply was necessary to address the issue of people stockpiling medicines due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“The Government has made it clear to the public that it is critical to stop stockpiling medicine to protect the access of medicines to all Australians,” he said.

 

“Demand for medicines has increased considerably in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has the potential for numerous product lines to be out of stock and some pharmacists are being pressured and abused to provide unsafe quantities of medicine.”

 

“There is currently no anticipation of widespread national medicine shortages, however if current levels of demand through excessive purchasing continue, supply interruptions will occur which is why these measures have been put in place.

 

“We need to put the brakes on selfish buying, some members of the community, who are stockpiling medicines, are abusing pharmacists and this clearly needs to stop.

 

“A bold decision has been made today to start putting a limit on the sale of certain medicines.”

 

Pharmacists will be asked to limit dispensing of certain prescription products to one months’ supply at the prescribed dose, and sales of certain over-the-counter medicines to a maximum of one unit per purchase.

 

In addition, pharmacists will be strongly encouraged to limit dispensing and sales of all other medicines to one months’ supply or one unit.

 

Dispensing of multiple repeats is only permitted for valid Regulation 49 prescriptions, which must only be written by prescribers when hardship provisions apply.

 

Associate Professor Freeman said pharmacists were working in the interests of the community and patients and it was important they were treated with respect.

 

“Pharmacists are working in the best interests of the community and their patients. The current supply network for medicines is adequate to meet demand and if we all do the right thing there will be enough medicines for all who need them.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

 

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Victorians to be better protected by removing barriers to vaccination by pharmacists

12 March 2020

 

Pharmacists will now be able to protect more Victorians against vaccine-preventable diseases in a move announced by the Victorian Government today that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

For the first time, trained pharmacists in Victoria will be able to administer Meningococcal ACWY to people aged 15 years and over. The minimum age for pharmacist-administered measles-mumps-rubella and whooping cough vaccines has been lowered to people aged 15 years (previously 16 years)

 

In addition, as previously announced by Victoria Health Minister Jenny Mikakos last year, trained pharmacists will also be able to administer influenza vaccinations to people aged 10 years and above (previously 16 years and over). All changes will come into effect on 1 April 2020.

 

Changes to the Secretary Approval: Pharmacist Immunisers gazetted today will also allow greater flexibility for pharmacists to provide vaccinations via mobile and outreach services of a hospital, pharmacy or pharmacy depot.

 

PSA Victorian President John Jackson welcomed the move to increase access to pharmacist-administered vaccinations services in Victoria, and in particular to formally lower the minimum vaccination age from 16 years to 10 years for influenza vaccinations in readiness for the 2020 influenza season.

 

“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure, increasing options for Victorians to access vaccination services is extremely helpful,” Mr Jackson said.

 

“Our members have experienced parent’s frustrations in recent influenza seasons where it was difficult to arrange access for their children to get their seasonal influenza vaccine and these changes will go a long way to addressing this hurdle.”

 

Mr Jackson commended the government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more Victorians from influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

“Pharmacists are well trained in the administration of these vaccines and are more accessible to the community than any other health provider. Pharmacists have become an integral part of Victoria’s vaccination provider network, and these changes will allow pharmacists to make a greater contribution to increasing immunity in our community,” he said.

 

PSA commends the Victorian Government and the Department of Health and Human Services for continuing to support the use of pharmacists’ expertise and training.

 

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has advocated for many years, including most recently in PSA’s Victorian pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to deliver more vaccinations to a wider age range of patients. We will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government to remove more barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to protect the Victorian community.”

 

Media contact: Stefanie Johnston 0417 910 738

 

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Federal Government’s $17.6 billion stimulus package will assist Australians and support pharmacists during COVID-19

Thursday, 12 March 2020

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s $17.6 billion stimulus package which will support vulnerable Australians and the health professionals who support them during the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

The announcement includes grants of up to $25,000 with a minimum payment of $2000 for small and medium businesses that employ staff with an annual turnover of up to $50 million and will be provided through the tax system, tax free.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said this announcement on the back of yesterday’s health package would assist in supporting community pharmacies and the pharmacists they employ during COVID-19.

 

“A significant number of pharmacies around Australia will be eligible for the grant at the maximum level which will allow them to continue to support their workforce and continue to provide an invaluable service to the community,” he said.

 

“As frontline health professionals, pharmacists will continue to play a key role during COVID-19 and the influenza season and these measures announced today will provide important stimulus to many pharmacies to continue to provide much needed healthcare to their patients.

 

As part of the announcement, the Government has also increased the instant asset write-off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanded access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50million) until 30 June 2020.

 

Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct an additional 50 per cent of the asset cost in the year of purchase (through to 30 June 2021).

 

PSA also welcomes the pragmatic measure of abolishing waiting-periods for social security sickness payments for casual workers, who may miss shifts because they contract coronavirus or are asked to self-isolate,

 

“This measure will not only financially support those who are sick or in isolation, but also reduce the likelihood of people who are unwell attending work,” A/Prof Freeman said. “This is particularly important in the health sector, where many frontline health professionals and support staff are employed on a casual basis”.

 

PSA will continue to work with the Government and provide details to the profession of these initiatives.

 

“Support for the profession, including the announcement yesterday of funding for home medicine services and electronic prescriptions together with today’s business and social security measures are essential to ensure pharmacists can continue their crucial role protecting Australians.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media: 0487 922 176

 

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Home medicines services and electronic prescriptions to support Australians during COVID-19

Wednesday, 11 March 2020

 

Pharmacists will be able to better support vulnerable patients following the Federal Government’s announcement to fund home medicines services as part of its $2.4 billion COVID-19 health package.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman welcomed the Government’s announcement that $25 million will be allocated to fund home medicines services which will enable patients to have their PBS prescriptions filled online or remotely, and have their medicines delivered to their home.

 

These measures will support the announced telehealth Medicare items for GPs to help contain the spread of the virus and allow GPs to conduct consultations via phone or video.

 

“However, the effectiveness of this initiative will depend on the successful roll-out of electronic prescription which the Federal Government has committed an additional $5 million of funding to fast track software capability,” he said.

 

“PSA has been working with the Government to build capability for electronic prescriptions for many years. Fast-tracking of e-prescriptions is appropriate to ensure people in isolation are able to receive their essential and regular medicines to maintain their health.

 

PSA supports the approach in fast tracking electronic prescriptions but more needs to be done to support community pharmacy in the adoption and implementation of this initiative.

 

“This is particularly significant as we know that people with other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, are at higher risk of complications of COVID-19.”

 

Associate Professor Freeman welcomed the funding of home delivery services as a pragmatic measure to ensure those people unable to leave their homes were not out of pocket at a time they were more likely to be under increased financial stress

 

“PSA has been working closely with the Federal Government to highlight issues pharmacists on the frontline are experiencing in supporting their patients, including security of medicine supply, the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), stockpiling of medicines and the continuation of emergency dispensing provisions,” he said.

 

“We will continue to work with the Government and the Health Minister, Greg Hunt, to ensure the roll-out of these initiatives is practical, effective and well-communicated to the pharmacist workforce.

 

“PSA will continue to inform the profession the details of these initiatives as they are worked through with the Department of Health.

 

“Australians look to their pharmacists for their healthcare advice and as frontline health providers it is important that pharmacists are supported by Government so they can continue to provide care for their patients.”

 

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

 

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Leading NSW pharmacists honoured

Friday, 6 March 2020

 

Forbes based pharmacist Sarah Hazell has received the NSW pharmacist of the year award at the Annual Celebration of Excellence in Pharmacy, hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll presented the award to Ms Hazell at the Crown Plaza in Terrigal on Friday night.

 

Jennifer Culverson won the NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the year award and Michael Flannery was presented with the NSW Lifetime Achievement honour.

 

Professor Carroll congratulated Ms Hazell for her continued commitment in providing positive health outcomes to the local community.

 

“Sarah has a great understanding of the Forbes local community and has shown a real focus on developing not just pharmacists’ career progressions but also pharmacy assistants, nurses and dispensary technicians,” said Professor Carroll.

 

“Among many of her achievements, Sarah has enhanced indigenous health by initiating a QUMAX agreement with local medical centres, also developing a health hub with health professionals utilising clinic rooms such as Podiatrists, a Registered Nurse, an Audiometrist and Physiotherapists.

 

“Sarah is a leader in her community and a mentor to young pharmacists and is a well-deserved winner of this award.”

 

Jennifer Culverson from Orange was also recognised for her achievements, receiving the NSW Early Career Pharmacist of the Year award.

 

“Not only is Jennifer heavily involved in the education of pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University, she has also played a key role within the respiratory space on the medical ward at Orange Health Service over the past twelve months,” Professor Carroll said.

 

“Jennifer has the upmost respect from her colleagues and has shown outstanding commitment to expand the pharmacists’ role within the hospital setting through research and innovation.

 

“Over a period of time, Jennifer has demonstrated admirable qualities and displayed a high level of drive, determination and passion to extend the role of a pharmacist in the rapidly changing field of healthcare.”

 

Jennifer was also the recipient of the PSA/Bayer ECP grant valued at $8,500, which supports early career pharmacists in attending the main conference program at PSA’s Offshore Conference in Edinburgh and Belfast in 2020.

 

Professor Carroll also congratulated Sydney based pharmacist Michael Flannery who was presented with the NSW Lifetime Achievement award.

 

“Michael is the perfect example of the community pharmacist and has shown terrific passion and dedication to the pharmacy profession over many years.

 

“Managing Director and founder of Instigo, Micahel is also the founder of Pharmacy Catalyst and CEO of Life Pharmacy Group that has numerous examples of partners who Michael has mentored and supported from school student, through cadetship, to intern to Pharmacist and through to owner.

 

“Michael has also represented the pharmacy industry nationally and internationally as well as sitting on a number of committees and working groups.”

 

PSA Contact: Simone Diamandis: 0414 574 754

Government decision will protect more SA children from influenza

Friday, 6 March 2020

 

South Australian children will have increased access to life saving vaccinations thanks to changes in pharmacists’ scope of practice announced today by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade.

 

“Last year we saw South Australia hit by one of the worst flu seasons on record and the best way to protect our community in the future is through immunisation,” Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) South Australian President, Robyn Johns said.

 

“The more barriers we can remove to people getting vaccinated the better. The goal is herd immunity, having as many members of our community protected from infectious diseases like the flu as possible.

 

“Research shows consumers find pharmacies highly accessible because there is usually one in our neighbourhood or nearby and they are generally open longer hours than other primary health care services.

 

“Pharmacists already provide a range of vaccinations including flu vaccinations for South Australians 16 years and over. Now, pharmacists can extend this proven, safe service to children 10 years of age and above.”

 

“The Government is to be commended for bringing South Australia into line with pharmacist vaccination in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, leading the way for other jurisdictions.”

 

Pharmacists authorised to provide vaccination services are trained in the administration of medicines. Pharmacists’ training to administer vaccines is similar to that completed by other health care professionals. The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, indigenous health workers and other immunisers.

 

“We believe this decision will protect more South Australians from influenza by increasing immunisation rates within our community at a time when people are concerned about protecting themselves from the communicable diseases,” Ms Johns said.

 

“We need people to be protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly at this time when there are concerns about the impact of coronavirus in our community.”

 

PSA continues to advocate for a national approach to pharmacist administered vaccinations to reduce confusion, ensure better access for patients to quality vaccination services and utilise the pharmacist workforce appropriately.

 

Media contact: Helen Stone, 0418 846 426

Pharmacists to boost influenza vaccination rates for children in NSW

Pharmacists in New South Wales will be able to administer the influenza vaccination to children aged 10 and above, in a move announced by the NSW Government that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

PSA NSW Branch President, Professor Peter Carroll, congratulated NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on today’s announcement to enable pharmacists to better protect the community from influenza from mid-March.

 

“This is a significant announcement from the NSW Government and will protect younger children from influenza and significantly increase immunisation rates in the state,” he said.

 

“During 2019, NSW recorded the highest confirmed cases of influenza in Australia with children particularly susceptible to the flu. Studies have found that less than a third of children are being immunised each flu season and influenza causes a substantial number of ICU admissions in Australian children each year.”

 

Professor Carroll said NSW children would now be better protected from influenza as today’s announcement would allow families greater access to the vaccine and was particularly timely with the upcoming flu season.

 

“Allowing pharmacists to vaccinate makes it more convenient for families, providing greater access to the influenza vaccine and improving rates of immunisation,” he said.

 

“Already, this year there has been 4,725 confirmed cases of influenza in NSW and with the likely convergence of a COVID-19 pandemic with winter influenza, this move will help to bolster immunity in NSW.

 

“Boosting vaccination rates and preventing influenza outbreaks can ease pressure on our GP surgeries and hospital emergency departments.

 

Professor Carroll said as the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has previously advocated, including most recently in PSA’s NSW pre-budget submission, to allow pharmacists to improve access to influenza vaccinations for adolescents.

 

“PSA commends the NSW Government and NSW Health for continuing to progress recommendations made to better protect the community,” he said.

 

Media contact: PSA NSW State Manager, Simone Diamandis – (02) 9431 1100

Leading SA and NT pharmacists honoured

Respected Northern Territory pharmacist Shelley Forester has received the SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year Award at the Annual Celebration of Excellence in Pharmacy hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon Stephen Wade MLC presented the award to Ms Forester at the Adelaide Pavilion on Friday night.

 

Dr Renly Lim from South Australia won the SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist Development Award and Raymond Truong was presented with the 2019 PSA Gold Medal.

 

PSA SA/NT President Robyn Johns congratulated Ms Forester and commended her significant contribution in the establishment and operation of the Maningrida Pharmacy service with Mala’la Health Service in 2014.

 

“This service was a pioneer of how a community pharmacy and an ACCHO can collaborate to improve the access to a pharmacist for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Ms Johns.

 

“Shelley has been a longtime supporter of the NT Pharmacy Program and is a critical supporter of local PSA initiatives including the Early Career Pharmacist and My Health Record.”

 

“Not only is Shelley a terrific mentor for early career pharmacists but she has also shown a commitment in hiring NT interns and is a worthy recipient for the SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year award in recognition of her tireless dedication to NT Pharmacy.”

 

President elect of the Young Pharmacists’ Group FIP Dr Renly Lim received the SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist Development Award.

 

“Dr Lim is an outstanding early career research pharmacist who is significantly contributing to the development of the pharmacy profession nationally and internationally,” said Ms Johns.

 

“Not only is Dr Lim an existing leader for young pharmacists internationally, she was also lead author of PSA’s Medicine Safety report, providing the evidence which led to quality use of medicines and medicine safety becoming Australia’s 10^th national health priority.”

 

Ms Johns also congratulated PSA Gold Medal winner Raymond Truong, who completed the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at the University of South Australia in 2019.

 

“Raymond is entering his intern year and is a well-deserved winner of the 2019 PSA Gold Medal Award.”

 

Media contact: Helen Stone 0418846426

 

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Increased Home Medicine Review caps from March 2020 will help reduce the harm caused by medicines

Friday, 28 February 2020

 

Australia’s elderly will be better supported to avoid medicine-related harm under a relaxing of caps restricting access to Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) announced today.

 

In changes announced today, accredited pharmacists will be able to provide up to 30 HMRs per month from 1 March 2020, an increase of the current 20 HMRs per month cap which has existed since February 2014.

 

“PSA welcomes this change which will help increase consumer access to HMRs across the country,” National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman said. “PSA have been calling for better access to medicine reviews for some time, most recently through recommendations contained in our Medicine Safety: Aged care report released earlier this week.”

 

“Medicine-related problems lead to 250,000 hospital admissions each year costing $1.4 billion annually. Medicine review services undertaken by accredited pharmacists, such as HMRs, are a key way in which problems with medicines are identified and resolved in partnership with consumers and their general practitioner.”

 

Home Medicine Reviews not only can improve a patient’s quality of life, but can save lives. We know that patients who take more than one medicine can be at risk of major problems associated with their medicines. Home Medication Reviews can improve the outcomes from medicine use in Australia, said Associate Professor Freeman.

 

“Our members have told us of significant delays consumers have experienced waiting for the calendar to tick over to the next month before being able to receive a HMR from their pharmacist who has hit their HMR cap for the month”, Associate Professor Freeman said. “Australians living in rural and remote parts of the country are one of the main groups to struggle with health care accessibility. The cap of 20 HMRs per month particularly hits hard on consumers living in rural communities where there is usually no other accredited pharmacists available to provide the service.”

 

“PSA has called for the removal of these caps since their inception. We would like to thank the Minister for Health for this announcement today on behalf of all pharmacists and their patients. We are pleased with today’s announcement as a first step and we are committed to continue working with Government to further improve access to medicine review services.”

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176

Medicine safety in aged care is a game of Russian roulette

A new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia shows that medicine safety for our older Australians is a game of Russian roulette and our most vulnerable are unnecessarily being put at risk every day.

 

“Our Medicine Safety: Aged Care report sounds an urgent alarm that medicine safety in aged care must be tackled without delay,” said Pharmaceutical Society of Australian (PSA) National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman.

 

“The Royal Commission has shone a light on significant shortcomings in residential aged care. Unfortunately, our report has found we are also neglecting vulnerable older Australians when it comes to protecting them from medicine-related harms.

 

“One of the most shocking findings of our report is that 20 per cent of unplanned hospital admissions for aged care residents are a result of inappropriate medicines use.”

 

Half of all residents are taking medicines that cause sedation or confusion, with 20 per cent taking antipsychotics and more than half of these residents taking these medicines for far too long.

 

“While medicines are meant to help patients, in many instances these types of medicines can make symptoms worse, cause excessive drowsiness and make residents more likely to experience significant injury from a fall,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

“Pharmacists are medicine experts and in collaboration with other health professionals and carers can help identify and diminish the risk of medicine side-effects and harmful interactions. One way pharmacists already do this is through medication reviews.

 

Currently, these can generally only be conducted once every two years. When they are, nearly all aged care residents have at least one problem with their medicines and most have three problems.

 

The Government has gone some way to addressing this by providing $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home, and new restrictions and education for prescribers on the use of medication as a chemical restraint.

 

“The Commonwealth Government has recognised the need to address medicine safety and quality use of medicines and declared medicine safety as the 10^th National Health Priority Area.

 

This commitment needs to translate into actions and sustainable funding. When it comes to protecting older Australians, we must support pharmacists to spend more time in aged care and enable them to conduct more frequent medication reviews and follow-ups.

 

“Pilot programs which have embedded pharmacists in the aged care team have achieved demonstrable improvements in medicine safety and quality use of medicines.”

 

Jean Fry who is a resident of Goodwin David Harper House said there were many benefits of having a pharmacist in residential aged care homes.

 

“In my opinion, every nursing home should have its own pharmacist to help residents maintain independence and safety regarding their medications,” Jean said.

 

And Peter Heaume, son and representative of parents Jane and Ern who have both been aged care residents said it was invaluable having a pharmacist take the time to explain each drug and its purpose to him.

 

“It gave me confidence that I could make an informed decision and both understand and agree to the changes proposed. I found it very informative and also beneficial,” he said.

 

Pharmacists in aged care can provide training and advice on medicines to support others involved in the care of residents.

 

“Aged care staff, trying to do the right thing, often alter medicines. For example, if a resident finds it difficult to swallow, they may crush a medicine, not realising this can negatively impact its efficacy,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

PSA has a 10-point plan to protect our older Australians from medicine harm and is calling on the Commonwealth to implement these recommendations in order to keep aged care residents safe.

 

“Pharmacists are key to improving the quality and safe use of medicines in aged care. We look forward to working with the Government, the aged care sector, other healthcare professionals, residents and families to improve this untenable situation,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

Media contact: PSA Media – 0487 922 176