Alice Hashiguchi wins 2019 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year award

27 July 2019

 

Alice Hashiguchi from the University of Western Australia has won the 2019 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Award, announced at the PSA19 Gala Dinner in Sydney tonight.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman congratulated Ms Hashiguchi on her exceptional achievement.

 

“The PSOTY Award gives outstanding pharmacy students the chance to showcase their counselling skills to their peers and the wider profession,” Dr Freeman said.

 

“We saw many rising stars of pharmacy apply their clinical knowledge and communication skills in this year’s competition.”

 

Kiralee Gross from James Cook University took home the People’s Choice award.

 

The judges were impressed by the strong field of finalists:

 

  • Alice Hashiguchi, University of Western Australia
  • Kiralee Gross, James Cook University
  • Alyssa Murray, University of Queensland
  • Patrick Bevan, University of Tasmania
  • Sadaf Keshtiar, Monash University
  • Samuel Watts, Monash University.

 

This year’s competition was once again sponsored by Mylan. The winner receives the National Travel Prize for pharmacy-specific education of an expenses-paid trip to a pharmacy conference.

 

Mylan Country Manager Sylvain Vigneault spoke of the organisation’s ongoing support of pharmacy students.

 

“Mylan has been a proud supporter the Pharmacy Student of the Year award since its inception.

 

“We recognise the important contribution that pharmacists make in facilitating better patient outcomes within their community. We feel strongly about encouraging pharmacy students to learn, grow and explore the role they will play, delivering better health in Australia,” he said.

 

“PSA thanks Mylan for their ongoing support of this award,” Dr Freeman said.

 

Photo caption: (L-R) 2019 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year Ms Alice Hashiguchi and Mylan Marketing Manager – Pharmacy Ms Jordana Sunderland

 

Media contact: Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer, 0487 922 176

Ayomide Ogundipe wins 2019 Intern Pharmacist of the Year

Saturday 27 July 2019

 

Talented intern pharmacist Ayomide (Mide) Ogundipe is the winner of the 2019 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award.

 

Presented at PSA’s flagship conference PSA19 today, the award recognises intern pharmacists who demonstrate outstanding performance in their development as professional pharmacists, acting as role models amongst Early Career Pharmacists (ECP).

 

Ms Ogundipe completed her internship at Pharmacy 777 in Perth in 2018.

 

During her intern year she was actively involved in PSA’s ECP Working Group in WA, was Executive Director of Public Relations at the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), and played a significant role in driving the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) Asia Pacific Regional Office initiatives.

 

Ms Ogundipe also successfully introduced a number of innovative programs and services to her practice, including Your Health Expo.

 

In accepting her award, Ms Ogundipe said her greatest learning experience as an intern was deciding her areas of interest and developing her professional practice in a manner that allows her to have a solutions-based outlook. She also provided advice to new pharmacy interns.

 

“Take ownership of your role and allow yourself to stay teachable – you are a few steps away from your general registration, use the year to consolidate everything you’ve learnt throughout your studies, build your professional experience and find areas that interest you. There is something to learn from everyone,” she said.

 

MIMS Australia is the leading sponsor of the award and contributed the major prize of $5,000 for the winner to put towards attending any pharmacy or educational conference approved by PSA.

 

Robert Best, CEO of MIMS Australia and New Zealand said, “For over 55 years, MIMS has been and continues to be, committed to supporting young healthcare professionals from all parts of the healthcare ecosystem.

 

“It is with immense pleasure that we support community and hospital pharmacists and the interns within them by providing world class medications information that support excellence in patient care and medication management.

 

“Being able to reward excellence in young innovative people and recognise their outstanding contributions is extremely exciting for the entire team at MIMS. These interns are the future of pharmacy!”

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman congratulated Ms Ogundipe on her achievements and dedication to the profession.

 

“Ms Ogundipe completed her internship to an exceptionally high standard, showing great initiative and openness to collaboration,” Dr Freeman said.

 

Photo: (L-R) CEO of MIMS Australia and New Zealand Mr Robert Best; 2019 PSA MIMS Intern Pharmacist of the Year Ms Ayomide (Mide) Ogundipe; and PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman

 

Media contact: Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer, 0487 922 176

New PSA fellows recognised for outstanding service to the profession

Saturday 27 July 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) last night announced seven new Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contribution to PSA and the pharmacy profession.

 

The 2019 PSA Fellows are:

 

  • Mr Tim Perry, NSW

Mr Perry has owned and managed community pharmacies in Sydney for 25 years. In recent times, he has worked as a non-dispensing Clinical Pharmacist in various medical practices. He also established his own Medicines Review Company, playing a key role in medicine safety through the provision of HMRs and RMMRs in collaboration with community pharmacies, GPs and other healthcare teams.

 

  • A/Prof Rebekah Moles, NSW

A/Prof Moles is a pharmacist with experience in community and hospital pharmacy as well as research into the Quality Use of Medicines both in pediatric dosing and in transitions of care – post hospital discharge. She has dedicated much of her time to both the education and professional development of pharmacists across Australia. She is also a volunteer on PSA’s NSW Branch Committee where she supports PSA’s advocacy messages through meetings with state and federal politicians.

 

  • Mr Phil Dibben, NSW

Mr Dibben has been a community pharmacy owner for over 40 years in the Newcastle area. In the 1990s, he was influential in bringing Breath-a-Tech, a revolutionary asthma treatment device, to the market. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Master of Pharmacy Program at the University of Newcastle where he is a member of the pharmacy advisory group.

 

  • Mrs Karen Carter, NSW

Mrs Carter is a community pharmacy owner in Gunnedah and Narrabri. She has worked in both hospital and community pharmacy across the span of her pharmacy career and is also an accredited pharmacist – providing HMRs and RMMRs. Recognising the severe impacts of the drought in her region, Mrs Carter was proactive in liaising with PSA to establish a course to ensure pharmacists were equipped to best support the mental health challenges faced by the community.

 

  • Dr Claire O’Reilly, NSW

Dr Claire O’Reilly is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Pharmacy School.

She was previously National Vice President of PSA (2011-2014) and was the first pharmacist to be appointed to the Medical Services Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the Federal Government on the strength of evidence for the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medical technologies.

 

  • Mr Bill Suen, VIC

Mr Suen contributed to a number of pharmacy practice changes during his tenure as PSA Victoria State Manager. He worked with the Victorian Branch Committee to establish the Victorian Family Tree mentoring program to support young pharmacists and PSA members develop their careers. This has now evolved into a national mentoring program. He also advocated for developments in pharmacy practice including: pharmacist-administered vaccinations; real-time prescription monitoring; and pharmacotherapy training and enhanced roles for pharmacists.

 

  • Ms Michelle Lynch, VIC

Ms Lynch is the National Hospital Pharmacy Manager at Ramsay Health Care and current PSA National Vice President. She has previously served as PSA Victoria Branch Committee Vice President and President. One of her most significant contributions to the profession was in the Parliamentary Inquiry into the roles and opportunities for community pharmacy in primary and preventative care in Victoria in 2014. Speaking at the inquiry, she advocated for expanding the role of pharmacists to improve health outcomes and reduce medicine-related harm.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman congratulated the new Fellows and acknowledged the significant impact they have had throughout their careers.

 

“Each of the people recognised this evening have made, and continue to make, outstanding contributions to the pharmacy profession,” he said.

 

“On behalf of PSA, I thank them for their ongoing service and dedication to improving pharmacy practice and patient care.”

 

Photo caption: (L-R) Dr Chris Freeman; Dr Claire O’Reilly; A/Prof Rebekah Moles; Ms Michelle Lynch; Mr Tim Perry, Mr Phil Dibben; Mrs Karen Carter

 

 

Media contact: Carly Lusk, Public Affairs Officer, 0487 922 176

Roles and remuneration: unlocking opportunities for pharmacists to support improved patient care

Saturday 27 July 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia today launched its new report Pharmacists in 2023: Roles and Remuneration which describes the current and future roles of pharmacists and fair remuneration for their professional contribution.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said that remuneration for Australian pharmacists did not, in the main, reflect their skills, training, expertise or responsibility in the healthcare system, and changing this is the most important issue for PSA members.

 

“As the complexity of pharmacy practice increases, pharmacists need properly remunerated and supported career pathways,” he said.

 

“Our new roles and remuneration report provides the pathway to achieve increased remuneration by 2023 – remuneration that reflects the value that pharmacists deliver in patient care.”

 

In constructing the salary ranges, PSA looked at other health professions with similar training and expertise, here in Australia, and internationally.

 

It is PSA’s view that the most appropriate mechanism to support increased remuneration for pharmacists is to link remuneration with activity as well as the skills, expertise, and training of the pharmacist.

 

“The Advanced Practice Framework is the most logical application of this and, while this may take some time to implement, it is clear we need to forge a path that delivers better value for pharmacists – we believe this is the way,” Dr Freeman said.

 

Dr Freeman said that PSA believed that pharmacists need to be valued appropriately in order to retain the best and brightest in the profession.

 

“We will therefore continue to advocate for pharmacists – for recognition of their training, expertise and role as custodians of medicine safety – and the reflection of these in remuneration packages,” Dr Freeman said.

 

“We call on other stakeholder groups and the Australian Government to work together to achieve the necessary changes.”

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

Toward a stronger future for Australia’s pharmacists

Saturday 27 July 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) enabling closer cooperation representing and empowering the majority and spectrum of Australia’s pharmacists and technicians.

 

The MoU, announced at the members’ breakfast on the second morning of PSA’s National Conference in Sydney, outlines a framework for commitment and cooperation between the PSA and SHPA.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman says codifying the sharing of ideas and resources will ultimately benefit members, patients and consumers.

 

‘It is a pleasure to welcome leaders of SHPA to PSA19 and make this shared commitment to unite the pharmacy profession in the context of healthcare delivery, strengthen our advocacy to enhance patient outcomes and to lift the profile and engagement of pharmacists within the healthcare team.

 

‘It is an exciting time for PSA as we prepare to take a seat at the table for negotiations regarding the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) and undergo an organisational transformation to strengthen the advocacy and training we provide to our members.

 

‘In the same vein, this MoU is about embracing strategic commonalities and finding new ways of working closer with SHPA to deliver a wider range of events, services and supports for members, while uniting the pharmacy profession toward our common goals.’

 

SHPA President Peter Fowler says the synergy between the SHPA Strategic Plan 2019-2023 and PSA’s Pharmacists in 2023: For patients, for our profession, for Australia’s health system makes a strong case for closer cooperation.

 

‘In our respective five-year plans for the future of pharmacy in Australia three areas of alignment clearly stand out: Achieving excellence in pharmacy care benefiting all Australians; supporting pharmacist members to thrive and succeed; and amplifying members’ voices to effect real and positive change.

 

‘These will be the backbone of this MoU – identifying and developing new approaches, in partnership, to improve the practice, impact and membership experience of all PSA and SHPA members.’

 

Photo: PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman (left) signs the MoU with SHPA President Peter Fowler

 

For more information contact:
Nick Sharp-Paul, SHPA Head of Strategy and Communication nsharp-paul@shpa.org.au – 0411 098 838
Monika Boogs, PSA Advocacy Manager Monika.Boogs@psa.org.au – 0419 423 693

 

About PSA
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is the only Australian Government-recognised peak national professional pharmacy organisation representing all of Australia’s 31,000 pharmacists working in all sectors and across all locations. PSA is committed to improving Australia’s health through excellence in pharmacist care and works to identify, unlock and advance opportunities for pharmacists to realise their full potential, to be appropriately recognised and fairly remunerated.

 

PSA leads and supports innovative and evidence-based healthcare service delivery by pharmacists. PSA provides high-quality practitioner development and practice support to pharmacists and is the custodian of the professional practice standards and guidelines to ensure quality and integrity in the practice of pharmacy.
www-dev

 

About SHPA
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) is the national, professional, for-purpose organisation for leading pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working across Australia’s health system, advocating for their pivotal role improving the safety and quality of medicines use. Embedded in multidisciplinary medical teams and equipped with exceptional medicines management expertise, SHPA members are progressive advocates for clinical excellence, committed to evidence-based practice and passionate about patient care.
www.shpa.org.au

Ask the Pharmacist app wins big at Pharmacy Shark Tank

Friday 26 July 2019

 

Community pharmacist Shannon Lawrence has taken out this year’s Mylan-sponsored Pharmacy Shark Tank at PSA19 with her ‘Ask the Pharmacist’ app.

 

Two of the three pharmacy ‘sharks’ – Cathie Reid, Co-Founder of Australia’s Epic Group and Fernando Lizarraga, Mylan’s Product Manager each chose to invest $3,000 in Ms Lawrence’s app which would enable patients to seek pharmacist advice easily and quickly via their smartphone.

 

Ms Lawrence was one of three finalists who pitched their ideas to the sharks and fielded questions in front of a live audience about how they would address unmet clinical needs or advance patient care and pharmacy practice.

 

Joey Calandra, PSA’s General Manager Market Engagement and third ‘shark’, invested $3,000 in Natalie D’Onofrio’s Mobile Pharmacist Vaccinators service. The service aims to ensure rural locations or those with sole pharmacists are still able to benefit from the expansion of pharmacist immunisation services.

 

Brooke Veasey and Brad Butt were awarded the $1000 People’s Choice Award for their Life Cardiac Clinic program – aimed at supporting patients with cardiovascular disease after their first
cardiovascular event.

 

Mylan’s Country Manager Sylvain Vigneault said that innovation is one of Mylan’s core values.

 

“No profession can progress without challenging the status quo. The opportunity for pharmacists to find new ways to provide better healthcare to Australians is exciting. We are proud to sponsor this year’s Shark Tank.”

 

The Shark Tank panel commended all three finalists on their dedication to bringing their innovative projects to life.

 

 

PSA19 Shark Tank winners
(L-R) Shannon Lawrence, Fernando Lizarraga, Brooke Veasey, Brad Butt, Cathie Reid, Joey Calandra, and Natalie D’Onofrio.

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

 

Digitally empowered pharmacists to lead the way in medicine safety

Friday 26 July 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today released its digital health report Connecting the dots: Digitally empowered pharmacists.

 

The report, funded by the Australian Digital Health Agency, describes how digital health initiatives and technological transformation will empower pharmacists to be more accountable and responsible for medicine safety and efficacy.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said the transformation to a more digital workplace was long overdue.

 

Medicine-related problems cause 250,000 hospital admissions and 400,000 emergency department presentations in Australia each year, costing the healthcare system $1.4 billion annually.

 

“Gaps in information and time delays in accessing important information are the two most significant factors contributing to medicine misadventure,” he said.

 

“This transformation will connect the dots of a currently fragmented health system, where health professionals such as pharmacists have had to make health decisions without accessing sometimes critical health information.”

 

The Australian Digital Health Agency’s program of work, particularly in medicine safety, will drive this transformation. This program of work strongly aligns with system changes needed to achieve the outcomes identified in the PSA’s Pharmacists in 2023 report.

 

Key projects which will transform care include: electronic prescriptions; real-time prescription monitoring; pharmacist input into My Health Record; enhanced incident reporting capabilities, improving pharmacovigilance; and improved medicine information for consumers.

 

The Australian Digital Health Agency’s Chief Clinical Health Information Officer, Angela Ryan, says increasing the safe and quality use of medicines is a priority area of the National Digital Health Strategy, approved by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council in 2017.

 

“All healthcare providers, including pharmacists, GPs and specialists, play a role in supporting the safe use of medicines by their patients. The Australian Digital Health Agency is collaborating with governments and industry on digital solutions that will support healthcare providers to manage their patients’ medicines,” she said.

 

Connecting the Dots: Digitally empowered pharmacists provides readers with multiple case examples which describe a ‘new normal’ of seamless healthcare, protecting medicine safety, backed by the power of digital health. These examples will help pharmacists understand the digital transformation which is taking place and contextualise them to real, tangible patient examples.

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

PSA19: Minister Hunt reaffirms commitment to addressing medicine safety

Friday 26 July 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) flagship conference PSA19 opened today with Federal Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing medicine safety.

 

Minister Health said the government stood by its earlier commitment to PSA and will work with the Society to address the issue of medicine-related harm in Australia.

 

“The Australian Government will now move, through the Council of Australian Governments arrangements, to make the quality and safe use of medicines a national health priority,” he said.

 

Minister Hunt also highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring pharmacists are able to practice to their full scope.

 

“I get what you do and we’re going to back what you do,” he said.

 

“It makes absolute sense that if we have a group of highly trained medical and health professionals that we should use the full range of those skills.

 

“This really is a moment where pharmacy has the greatest potential to impact on national health outcomes of any time in the last century.”

 

Minister Hunt also discussed PSA’s role as a signatory to the upcoming 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA).

 

He said PSA would not just be a co-signatory but a critical part of the design in relation to the code of ethics, practice standards and pharmacy services.

 

In his speech, PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman detailed PSA’s ongoing commitment to medicine safety.

 

“650,000 emergency department presentations and hospital admissions are related to medicines misadventure every year, at an alarming cost of $1.4 billion dollars annually,” he said.

 

“Importantly, it is considered that 50% of this harm is preventable – that is $700 million Australian dollars could be saved if we better managed medicines in Australia.”

 

 

(L-R): Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman at PSA19

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

 

 

PSA announces 2019 Excellence Award winners

26 July 2019

 

Three outstanding pharmacists have been honoured for their high standards of commitment and professionalism in the 2019 PSA Excellence Awards.

 

The Early Career Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacist of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award were announced at PSA’s flagship conference PSA19 in Sydney today.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said he was delighted to congratulate this year’s award winners.

 

“The Excellence Awards show the impact pharmacists have throughout the various stages of their careers,” he said.

 

“What unites today’s winners is not only their commitment to the profession and innovative practice, but their dedication to improving patient outcomes.”

 

The 2019 PSA Excellence Awards winners are:

 

  • Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Fei Sim, WA

 

  • Pharmacist of the Year – Peter Crothers, NSW

 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Col. (Rtd) Bill Kelly, ACT

 

In accepting her award, Dr Sim spoke of her many influencers and mentors who have helped shape her career. She said not only was the award very meaningful to her, but it was also recognition that she was on the right path.

 

“I see it also as an acknowledgement of the great mentorships I have received from my mentors and the amazing team I work with every day, at Curtin University, Caring Pharmacy, PSA and the communities,” she said.

 

Mr Crothers said his award was recognition of the work of rural community pharmacists and highlighted the unique career opportunities to be gained in rural pharmacy.

 

“One of the best ways to become highly clinically competent is by combining formal learning with rural practice – especially remote rural practice – where you’ll be exposed to more patient-intimate and collaborative models of care and a wider range of clinical, logistical and other situations that you must ‘own’ and deal with,” he said.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Col. (Rtd) Bill Kelly commented on the greatest change he has observed in the profession over his career.

 

“It has undoubtedly been the change to a more clinical, responsible and responsive role to the provision of health care with not only an increased emphasis on medication management through various initiatives such as medication reviews and the like but also now with pharmacy’s immunisation role and the potential to work to an enhanced scope of practice,” he said.

 

The award winners each receive a Symbion Education Grant valued at $9,000. The grants are possible thanks to Symbion’s long-standing support of the awards.

 

CEO Symbion Brett Barons said the PSA Excellence Awards provide much deserved recognition of those pharmacists who have made a substantial contribution to the profession.

 

“On behalf of everyone at Symbion, we extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and thank them for their dedication and for inspiring all sectors of the profession,” he said.

 

“As a proud sponsor for the past 15 years, we are delighted to be supporting their ongoing education and efforts to provide an exceptional level of care to the community.”

 

Videos of the award winners are available on PSA’s YouTube page.

 

PSA Symbion Excellence Award winners at PSA19
(L-R) PSA CEO Dr Shane Jackson, Symbion General Manager Strategic Groups Mr David Beaton; Pharmacist of the Year Mr Peter Crothers; Lifetime Achievement Award winner Col. (Rtd) Bill Kelly; Early Career Pharmacist of the Year Dr Fei Sim; and PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk,
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

 

Health Minister to open PSA’s national conference next week

Friday 19 July 2019

 

Federal Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP will officially open the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) national conference PSA19 in Sydney on Friday 26 July.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said that PSA had an excellent working relationship with Minister Hunt and the Coalition Government and was very pleased that he accepted the invitation to speak at PSA19.

 

“The Government has made many commitments to PSA, most notably declaring medicine safety a National Health Priority Area and announcing that PSA would be a signatory to the upcoming 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA),” he said.

 

“We look forward to Minister Hunt speaking on these topics and more broadly on how the pharmacy profession can work with Government on improving the health outcomes of all Australians.”

 

The theme of PSA19 is Pharmacists in 2023: unlocking your opportunities. This remains PSA’s focus – advocating for expanded roles, improved recognition and fairer remuneration for pharmacists as the custodians of medicine safety.

 

Leading into the 7CPA, community pharmacy is one of the best placed settings to deliver on primary healthcare advancements and preventative health.

 

“We will be calling on the Government to clearly recognise the role that community pharmacy has in primary healthcare and now more than ever commit to investing in the key role of community pharmacy as vital primary healthcare settings,” Dr Freeman said.

 

“PSA and the pharmacy profession look forward to hearing from Minister Hunt at next week’s conference and to continuing to work with the Coalition Government on improving the health outcomes of all Australians.”

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

 

Chris Freeman and Greg Hunt
PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman and Federal Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP