Former PSA National President John Bell honoured for his contribution to diabetes management

Embed pharmacists: the answer to addressing medicine-related harm in aged care

Thursday 18 July 2019

 

Medicine-related harm in residential aged care facilities is an alarming issue – one which could be improved through embedding pharmacists according to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

In its submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, PSA has called for a national program that embeds pharmacists in all aged care facilities.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said that residents in aged care facilities deserved to have timely and regular access to the expertise of a pharmacist if they required advice and support with their medicines and medicine management.

 

“The health of the aged care sector matters a great deal to pharmacists and many pharmacists already contribute to activities and services to improve resident safety and system changes impacting on quality and safety in aged care facilities,” he said.

 

“However older Australians, particularly aged care residents, deserve more. There must be a stronger connection between health care and aged care.”

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care report showed that 98 per cent of residents in a residential aged care facility have at least one medicine-related problem and over half are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine. Pharmacists, with their unique expertise in medicines and medicine management, are ideally placed to identify and help resolve these issues.

 

“Pharmacists embedded in facilities can contribute to improving quality use of medicines facility-wide and reducing harm caused by overuse of medicines,” Dr Freeman said.

 

“It has been clear through evidence provided to the Royal Commission that we need to have pharmacists protecting patients from the inappropriate prescribing and use of medicines.”

 

In its submission, PSA also called for further actions to improve resident safety and health outcomes:

 

• Aged care workforce education and training – pharmacists can support the aged care workforce through education and training of staff on medicines and medicine management issues;

 

• Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs) – all residents in aged care facilities should have timely access to an RMMR conducted by a pharmacist;

 

• Quality use of medicines (QUM) service – current arrangements and funding for the delivery of QUM services are inadequate. Appropriate investment must be made to prioritise QUM activities for the clinical care of residents and to improve quality and safety within aged care facilities;

 

• Funding of Dose Administration Aids (DAA) – similar to patients in the community, residents of aged care facilities should have equitable access to subsidised DAA services when clinically warranted, or where use of a DAA is mandated by the facility.

 

Dr Freeman said the pharmacy profession was equipped and eager to contribute but pharmacists’ expertise must be recognised more broadly and their skills used across the aged care sector.

 

“Structural arrangements or funding program business rules must not hinder pharmacists from contributing their unique medication management expertise for the benefit of residents and aged care facilities,” he said.

 

“Disappointingly, pharmacists who possess unique medicines and medicine management expertise are often excluded from the delivery of healthcare services.

 

“With our submission today, we are making a commitment to all Australians, particularly those in residential aged care facilities – the pharmacist workforce is ready, willing and able to step up to improve medicine safety in our healthcare system.

 

“In aged care, the answer is simple. We call on the government to embed pharmacists in aged care facilities nationwide and remove barriers to the provision of pharmacist services.

 

“Only then can we ensure an improvement in medicine safety and optimal health outcomes for older Australians.”

 

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

Report highlights need for greater pharmacist involvement in medicine reviews

PSA ready to work with WA Government to expand the role of pharmacists

 

Wednesday 10 July 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is ready to work with the Western Australian Government to increase the scope of pharmacists.

 

A recently-released Western Australian Health Department review of community pharmacy ownership includes recommendations to significantly increase the range of clinical services offered by pharmacists.

 

PSA WA Branch President Dr Fei Sim said this was a great step forward in acknowledging the vital role pharmacists play in Australia’s healthcare system, and their ability to do more to improve health outcomes.

 

“Community pharmacies are a valued and integral part of our communities’ health care,” she said.

 

“They can be found in most cities, towns and suburbs around Western Australia. Their location and accessibility, combined with the expertise and skills of pharmacists, makes them ideally suited to play a greater role in primary healthcare delivery.”

 

PSA’s two key reports Medicine Safety: Take Care and Pharmacists in 2023 advocate for empowering pharmacists to do more than the current healthcare system allows by harnessing their skills and expertise as medicine experts.

 

The Medicine Safety report revealed the enormity of medicine-related harm and its cost to our economy. The report found there were 250,000 hospital submissions annually as a result of medicine-related problems with an additional 400,000 presentations to emergency departments due to medicine misuse costing $1.4 billion annually.

 

“The evidence is clear, pharmacists have significant potential to reduce the number of medicine-related hospital admissions and adverse medicine events in Australia but are prevented from doing so due to barriers in fulfilling our scope of practice,” Dr Sim said.

 

“In its recommendations, the WA Government has taken the lead in recognising the potential of pharmacists and the need to expand their scope of practice.

 

“PSA and the pharmacy profession look forward to working with the WA Government on implementing these recommendations to allow pharmacists to improve healthcare access and outcomes, and reduce variabilities in care.”

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

 

PSA calls for timely implementation of real-time prescription monitoring in SA

Wednesday 26 June 2019

 

The recent South Australian Government Budget announcement to implement a real-time prescription monitoring system (RTPM) is a good step forward, but the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) calls on the government to ensure it is given high priority.

 

PSA SA/NT Branch President Robyn Johns urged the SA Government to follow through on this Budget commitment to help improve the health of South Australians.

 

“Real-time prescription monitoring was included in the state’s 2018-19 Budget but as yet we haven’t seen any progress,” she said.

 

“The 2019-20 Budget commitment of $4 million dollars to implement the system is very promising. However, timely implementation is crucial.”

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care report highlighted the severity and cost of medicine-related problems. They are responsible for 250,000 hospital admissions and 400,000 emergency department presentations in Australia each year, costing the healthcare system $1.4 billion annually. At least half of this harm is avoidable.

 

“Medicine safety is a health priority and implementation of an RTPM system in South Australia will aid clinical decision making and provide an opportunity to identify and appropriately manage patients misusing specific prescription medications. In turn, this will help address medicine-related harm and ensure optimal health outcomes for South Australians,” Ms Johns said.

 

The Budget announcement states the estimated completion date of the RTPM system implementation is June 2020. PSA stands ready to engage with the government to achieve implementation within this timeframe.

 

Although PSA supports the independent work of states and territories in implementing real-time prescription monitoring systems, PSA believes this will continue to pose significant risks around interoperability across jurisdictions.

 

PSA has long advocated for the immediate implementation of a national recording and reporting system which would enable real-time monitoring to address the increase in harm resulting from inappropriate use of certain prescription medicines.

 

In 2018 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to progress a national solution where each jurisdiction develops their own system to connect with a Commonwealth system.

 

Some progress has been made with all states and territories, except NSW and WA, either implementing or setting strategies to introduce an RTPM system. Queensland is the most recent state to do so, introducing legislation into parliament in May that will enable the state’s health department to implement a mandatory RTPM system.

 

One of the key actions in PSA’s Pharmacists in 2023 report is to embrace digital transformation to improve the quality use of medicines; support the delivery of safe, effective, and efficient healthcare; and facilitate collaborative models of care.

 

“Technological improvement in pharmacist care through systems such as RTPM allows us to make full use of pharmacists’ skills and improve health outcomes.

 

“We commend the SA Government for its commitment to implementing an RTPM system, but will continue to advocate for a nationally-consistent system to enable pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to work together to protect the entire Australian population from medicine-related harm,” Ms Johns said.

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

Pharmacist-administered flu vaccination age lowered in WA

Wednesday 19 June 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the move by the Western Australian Government to allow trained pharmacists to administer the flu vaccination to people aged 10 years and over.

 

PSA WA Branch President Dr Fei Sim commended the government’s decision to allow pharmacists to protect more West Australians from the flu.

 

“Allowing trained pharmacists to administer vaccines will significantly increase the immunisation rates within the community.

 

“This is particularly important as confirmed flu cases in WA are already dwarfing those of last year,” Dr Sim said.

 

As of 18 June, the WA Department of Health has advised that there have been 9016 laboratory-confirmed influenza infections in the state and 29 reported deaths. This is in comparison to 1399 confirmed infections and 4 deaths during the same period in 2018.

 

“The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, Indigenous Health Workers and other immunisers. It increases the immunisation rate and has a positive effect on people’s health in Western Australia,” Dr Sim said.

 

PSA commends the WA Government for making use of pharmacists’ expertise and training to better protect the community against vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

NSW Budget: PSA calls for expanded roles for pharmacists

Tuesday 18 June 2019

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the NSW Government’s Budget commitment to health spending, but calls on the Government to better utilise the skills of pharmacists to improve the state’s healthcare system.

 

PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll commended the NSW Government on the addition of 880 allied health staff, including pharmacists. However he said that it is vital that NSW Health looks at the allocation of these positions across various practice settings, not just hospitals.

 

Furthermore, with record numbers of people presenting to NSW emergency departments over the last year, the Budget misses the opportunity to build on the accessibility of community pharmacies in improving consumer access to health services, particularly in regional areas.

 

“Rural and regional Australia deserve better access to health services and medicines.

 

“Community pharmacists are accessible and have the skills and expertise to create better access to medicines and health services, particularly in these regional areas.

 

“There needs to be a focus on models of care outside the hospital system to better service the needs of these communities,” Professor Carroll said.

 

The Budget announcement of a new Ageing and Disability Commissioner is a great step forward. PSA calls on the Commissioner, when elected, to support a greater role for pharmacists in the aged care sector. Pharmacists, as medicine experts, must be involved in the medication management of people living in residential aged care facilities.

 

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care report showed that 98 per cent of residents in a residential aged care facility have at least one medicine-related problem and over half are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine. Pharmacists are best placed to improve decision making to ensure the safe and optimal use of medicines for older Australians.

 

The funding allocated to palliative care provides a great opportunity for pharmacists to have an expanded role in medicine management for palliative care patients through symptom-based care, anticipatory care and deprescribing.

 

“Embedding pharmacists into palliative care teams will improve decision making and medicine safety. Pharmacists play a vital role in medicines management and this is pertinent to palliative care patients that are managed in the community,” Professor Carroll said.

 

PSA has worked closely with the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission to develop resources and support tools, and create professional development opportunities specific to pharmacists. Now is the perfect time to embed pharmacists within NSW palliative care teams to improve decision making for the safe and appropriate use of medicines throughout all phases of care.

 

Given the Budget surplus, PSA is surprised that no funding has been allocated for a real time prescription monitoring (RTPM) system to help improve the quality use of medicines in NSW.

 

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. At least half of this harm is avoidable.

 

“Medicine safety is a health priority and it is disappointing to see that there is no investment by the NSW Government in a real time prescription monitoring system in NSW, which will aid clinical decision making and provide an opportunity to identify and appropriately manage patients misusing specific prescription medications.

 

“All states, except NSW and WA, have either implemented or set strategies to introduce a real time monitoring system. However NSW continues to fall further behind despite experience internationally and locally that when such systems are implemented they have the desired effect in reducing harm,” Professor Carroll said.

 

PSA will continue to engage with the NSW Government on these issues to help improve healthcare accessibility and optimal health outcomes for all NSW residents.

 

Media contact:   
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

End the exclusion: Pharmacist access to the MBS one step closer

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has called on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce to increase the role of pharmacists to address the healthcare needs of all Australians.

 

In its submissions to the taskforce reference groups, PSA focused on inclusion of pharmacist services on the MBS to ensure pharmacists are no longer excluded from the rest of the allied healthcare workforce in the delivery of consultation based services upon referral from a general practitioner.

 

PSA’s recommendations stem from its two key reports Medicine Safety: Take Care and Pharmacists in 2023. Both reports advocate for empowering pharmacists to do more than the current healthcare system allows by harnessing their skills and expertise as medicine experts. It is PSA’s firm view that pharmacists must be involved in the care of patients whenever medicines are part of their health management plan, and particularly in the context of chronic disease management.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said although the Allied Health Reference Group recommended this action in February following previous PSA submissions, there is still more work to be done. These recommendations out for consultation must make their way to the Minister for Health’s office and once and for all cease the exclusion of pharmacist access to the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

 

“PSA has advocated over many years to develop funding models to reflect pharmacists’ extensive expertise and contribution to Australia’s health. Pharmacists have been calling for access to the MBS to reflect their skills, training and experience for longer than many of us can remember.

 

“While this recommendation now exists, it is focused on long-term implementation. Given the rate of medicine-related harm being experienced by Australians and the potential for pharmacists to contribute to medicine safety and quality use of medicines, it is critical that the implementation of this recommendation is not delayed,” Dr Freeman said.

 

The inclusion of pharmacists in allied healthcare teams is particularly important for vulnerable population groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

In writing to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Reference Group, PSA noted the current issues relating to medication adherence. Pharmacists can make a significant contribution to support adherence through the provision of medicine information, assessing each person’s needs and tailoring solutions accordingly.

 

Pharmacists also have a key role to play in mental health care teams. PSA supports recommendations from the Mental Health Reference Group to encourage coordinated support for patients with chronic and mental illnesses and access to mental health services in residential aged care.

 

PSA believes that pharmacists should have a role in delivering care as part of a mental health care plan, particularly where medication forms part of the patient’s treatment plan. This is particularly relevant for mental health care services in residential aged care.

 

“We look forward to continuing to work with the groups involved in the MBS Review as they undertake their consultation on these recommendations, and then working with the Minister for Health to make these recommendations a reality,” Dr Freeman said.

 

 

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

 

Friday 14 June 2019

Pharmacists recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Monday 10 June 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulates the seven pharmacists recognised in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours announcement – from New South Wales: Mr Warwick Plunkett, Mrs Carlene Smith, Ms Juliet Seifert, Mr David North and Mrs Dianne North; and from Queensland: Emeritus Professor Maree Therese Smith and Ms Catherine Reid.

 

Professor Smith has been honoured as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to science through pioneering research and innovation in the treatment of neuropathic pain, to gender equity, and as a role model.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said the award acknowledges Professor Smith’s lifetime of service.

 

“Maree has been a member of PSA for 43 years and during this time has made countless contributions to the fields of pharmacy and pain research.

 

“Being bestowed the highest level of honour within the Order of Australia is recognition of the impact her work has had on Australia’s healthcare system.”

 

Mr Plunkett and Mrs Smith have been honoured as Members of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to pharmacy, and to professional organisations.

 

Dr Freeman said Mr Plunkett and Mrs Smith’s dedication and commitment to pharmacy practice and the health of their communities makes them highly deserving recipients.

 

“It is pleasing to see Warwick and Carlene’s service to the pharmacy profession and the broader healthcare system recognised at a national level, and for that PSA extends its congratulations.”

 

Mr Plunkett has served as PSA National President, is a current Board Member (since 2007) and a Lifetime Fellow.

 

“Warwick has committed his professional life to pharmacy and advancing the role of pharmacists to maximise patient care.

 

“Whether it be related to policy, education, practice support or advocacy, Warwick has been instrumental in establishing contemporary pharmacy practice ensuring Australians have better access to health and medicines,” Dr Freeman said.

 

Mrs Smith, a Life Member of PSA, provides comprehensive medication reviews for patients, accredited by the Australian Association of Consultancy Pharmacy, and is a Community Pharmacy Consultant. She has also held positions within The Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch and the University of Sydney.

 

PSA Member Ms Reid is also recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to healthcare delivery, and to philanthropy. She is a current co-owner of Epic Pharmacy and co-founder of the Epic Good Foundation. Ms Reid was featured in Australian Pharmacist in December 2018.

 

Ms Seifert has been recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the pharmaceutical and therapeutic goods industries. She was an Inaugural Member of the Australian Therapeutic Goods Advisory Council and Executive Director of the Australian Self-Medication Industry from 1989-2010.

 

Mr and Mrs North are recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of the Illawarra. They have been honoured for their extensive volunteer work with local service and sporting organisations. Mr North, a PSA member, has worked with PSA to enable professional development opportunities for pharmacists in the Illawarra area. Mrs North has presented at PSA conferences, and is a former recipient of PSA’s Jack Thomas Perpetual Trophy and Excellence in Pharmacy Practice Medal.

 

“I sincerely congratulate all of today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours recipients and thank them for their ongoing service to the pharmacy profession and their local communities,” Dr Freeman said.

 

A full list of the Queen’s Birthday Honours is available on the Governor-General’s website.

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176

PSA welcomes reappointment of Federal Health Minister

26 May 2019

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) today welcomes the reappointment of the Hon Greg Hunt MP as Minister for Health.

 

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said PSA has an excellent working relationship with Minister Hunt and looks forward to continuing to work with him and the Morrison Government to make full use of pharmacists’ expertise and clinical training improving access to care and medicine safety for all Australians.

 

“PSA welcomed Minister Hunt’s commitment on behalf of the Government that they will declare quality use of medicines and medicines safety a National Health Priority Area. This is a vital step forward in addressing the alarming issue of medicine-related harm.

 

“Pharmacists with their unique expertise in medicines and medicine management are ideally placed to identify and help resolve these issues, and funding arrangements must reflect their skills, training and responsibility in this area. PSA looks forward to working with the Morrison Government on this health priority,” Dr Freeman said.

 

PSA believes in the need to build upon the accessibility of community pharmacy and increased funding for the delivery of health care services such as vaccinations, medication management and minor illness care.

 

“We therefore appreciate the commitment from Minister Hunt that PSA will be a signatory to the upcoming 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement. PSA will be focused on ensuring that there is more funding allocated to expanding services delivered by pharmacists, addressing accessibility to primary healthcare, and improved medicines management. We stand ready to engage with the Government on this vital agreement,” Dr Freeman said.

 

PSA also welcomes the appointment of Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck as Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians.

 

Dr Freeman acknowledged the Government’s 2019-20 Budget commitment for a Canberra-based trial to embed pharmacists in aged care facilities to improve medication management.

 

“PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care report showed that more than 90 per cent of residents in a residential aged care facility have at least one medicine-related problem and as many as 80 per cent are prescribed potentially inappropriate medicines.

 

“There is compelling evidence to support the greater role pharmacists should have in the aged care sector using their unique skills to improve decision making to ensure the safe and optimal use of medicines for older Australians.

 

“PSA looks forward to working with Minister Hunt and Senator Colbeck on this trial, and helping to inform further nationwide initiatives.”

 

Dr Freeman said these commitments, among others, will further unlock the potential of pharmacists and allow them to improve healthcare access and outcomes for Australians, and reduce variabilities in care.

 

“PSA and the pharmacy profession look forward to continuing to work with the Morrison Government on improving the health outcomes of all Australians.”

 

Media contact:
Carly Lusk
Public Affairs Officer
0487 922 176