Medicine Safety is a game of Russian roulette for older Australians

PSA remains deeply concerned by the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, particularly in relation to medicine safety and the extensive use of sedatives in aged care facilities.

Older Australians in residential aged care continue to face significant threats to their health due to the harm arising from misuse and mismanagement of their medications.

“It is alarming that this issue – particularly the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medicines and the overuse of sedatives – has not improved over the past five years.” PSA National President A/Prof Chris Freeman said.

“This is a game of Russian roulette, and unfortunately our older Australians are paying the price.”

PSA has called on the Federal Government to improve medicine safety for older Australians by embedding pharmacists in aged care facilities nationwide and removing barriers to the provision of pharmacist services, safeguarding residents from harmful medicine use.

“Some of the stories heard by PSA are truly horrifying. The most heartbreaking aspect of this is that these problems are largely avoidable.” A/Prof Freeman said.

“Medicines are developed, prescribed and dispensed to support good health – and when used properly, have the potential to greatly improve quality of life. But when used incorrectly, they can cause more harm than good, and in the most devastating of circumstances, ultimately lead to death.”

“We need a stronger connection between health care and aged care, and pharmacists, as the custodians of medicine safety, can help bridge this divide.”

“PSA calls on the Federal Government to revise aged care funding instruments, investing $200 million over four years to support residential aged care facilities to directly engage pharmacists. Embedding pharmacists in aged care facilities will improve aged care medication management, ultimately reducing medicine-related harm amongst residents.”

The government must act by embedding pharmacists in residential aged care facilities, before it is too late for some of our aged care residents.”

Background
PSA’s reports, Medicine Safety: Take Care and Medicine Safety: Aged Care, found that:
• 98% of residents in a residential aged care facility have at least one medicine-related problem;
• Over half are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine;
• 6% were administered at least one potentially hazardous medicine combination;
• 50% of people with dementia are given medicines with anticholinergic properties, worsening confusion and other dementia symptoms;
• 20% of unplanned hospital admissions for aged care residents are due to inappropriate medicine use;
• Many of our aged care residents have faced dangerous and life-threatening drug interactions;
• Half of residents are taking medicines that cause sedation or confusion, with 20% taking antipsychotics and more than half are taking medicines for far too long;
• Between July 2000 and July 2013 there were 30 coronial investigations into medicine-related deaths in aged care facilities;
o In nine cases, deaths occurred due to administration errors – in four cases medication was given to the wrong person; and in four other cases, monitoring errors resulted in a failure to recognise the signs of toxicity.

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Government must act to reduce harmful medicine use in aged care

PSA has called on the Federal Government to address medicine safety in residential aged care facilities in the upcoming Federal Budget.

The Government’s Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that Australia is facing a critical problem with medicine mismanagement in aged care facilities.

There is no doubt that the absence of regular pharmacist services in aged care facilities is causing harm to older Australians. As custodians of medicine safety, pharmacists are here to keep people safe from medicine-related harm. When you don’t have the right level of investment in pharmacists, this is the outcome which results.

PSA’s Medicine Safety: Take Care and Medicine Safety: Aged Care reports found that, of those people living in aged care facilities:

• Over 95% have at least on problem with their medicines detected at the time of a medicines review; most have three problems;
• 6% were administered at least one potentially hazardous medicine combination;
• 50% of people with dementia are given medicines with anticholinergic properties, worsening confusion and other dementia symptoms;
• 20% of unplanned hospital admissions is due to inappropriate medicine use.

Pharmacists, with their unique expertise in medicines management, are ideally placed to identify and resolve these issues. Embedding pharmacists in residential aged care facilities will safeguard residents from the harms medicines are causing, by ensuring pharmacists are available to:

• Undertake medicines reviews;
• Support better clinical governance in medicine use;
• Educate, train and support the aged care workforce.

PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, said that the proposed action will ensure an improvement in medicine safety and optimal health outcomes for older Australians.

“The Morrison Government has already recognised medicine safety as a National Health Priority Area.”

“Now, they must act to address medicine safety in residential aged care facilities, in response to the Aged Care Royal Commission.”

“Residents in aged care facilities deserve to have timely and regular access to the expertise of a pharmacist if they require advice and support with their medicines and medicine management.”

“Embedding pharmacists in aged care facilities will improve aged care medication management, ultimately reducing medicine-related harm amongst residents.”

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463

Pharmacist access to NIP needed nationwide

PSA welcomes major parties commitment to NIP

Keep ahead of the spread and get your flu jab by your local pharmacist

It’s that time of year again, with influenza looming large as the seasons change.

Whilst attention is currently centred on the COVID-19 virus, the danger of the influenza cannot be underestimated, nor understated. Influenza is dangerous and highly infectious, and potentially life-threatening to at-risk Australians.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is encouraging people to heed the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) advice to vaccinate against influenza annually.

Annual vaccination is necessary in providing the best protection for you and people you come in contact with, including family and friends. ATAGI stated that it’s not possible to predict what this flu season may look like, therefore, it’s imperative for Australian’s to keep ahead of the spread.

According to data from the Australian Immunisation Register, less than 40% of influenza vaccines have been administered compared with this time last year.

At present, community pharmacies across the country have full fridges of the influenza vaccine and pharmacists are ready to immunise Australians.

Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals in Australia. Ninety five percent of Australians in capital cities live within two kilometres of a community pharmacy and sixty five percent of Australians in rural Australia are the same.

PSA recommends booking vaccinations with your local pharmacist, noting that many pharmacies still accommodate walk-ins.

PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, stressed the importance of immunisation as the seasons change.

“Unlike the COVID-19 vaccine, supply is plentiful and there are no rollout phases. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come forward and receive their influenza vaccination.”

“Whilst you are waiting for your COVID-19 vaccine, there is still plenty everyone can do to support our community and protect Australia’s most vulnerable. One of the best ways is to get immunised against influenza, remembering we need 14 clear days between COVID 19 immunisation and other immunisations. So don’t forget about your flu shot!”

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

NSW Government backs pharmacists for NIP

Older and vulnerable people in NSW will soon be able to access their seasonal influenza vaccines by visiting their local pharmacy, thanks to a commitment from the NSW Health Minister in response to a pre-budget submission by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

The NSW Health Minister has committed to the PSA that eligible people in NSW will soon be able to access the seasonal influenza vaccine. This may be facilitated under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from the 2022 influenza season. The commitment is contingent on working with the Commonwealth Government to secure the distribution and supply of the vaccines. This commitment also applies to Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines distributed via community pharmacies.

PSA NSW President, Chelsea Felkai, welcomed the NSW Health Minister’s announcement allowing pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP influenza vaccines. Ms Felkai said that it will give people more choice about when and where to get vaccinated.

“Particularly in regional and remote NSW, people may have trouble accessing a GP. In addition, some people do not visit a GP regularly, or do not have a GP. Allowing pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP influenza vaccines will increase vaccination rates and herd immunity to influenza within the NSW community.”

Annual influenza vaccines may be facilitated under the NIP for people most vulnerable to influenza, including those aged over 65 years.

All seasonal influenza vaccines administered are uploaded to a person’s individual vaccine record on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman applauded the NSW Health Minister’s initiative to build on the state’s already high vaccination rates.

“PSA’s vision for a safer, more accessible and more accountable health system, Pharmacists in 2023, is the foundation for all of our pre-budget submissions. This commitment from the NSW Health Minister shows further confidence in the provision of safe, effective health care by pharmacists.”

“Consistent with our vision, PSA continues to work with governments around Australia to help achieve a future where pharmacists are increasingly involved, responsible and accountable for the medicine safety of their patients.”

PSA commends the NSW Health Minister for his commitment, which brings the state in line with Western Australia, Victoria and the ACT, where pharmacists have been providing NIP influenza vaccines for several years.

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

Record number nominate for PSA elections

A record number of pharmacists have raised their hand to lead the profession on the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) State and Territory Branch Committees.

Positions on the Branch Committee are integral to shaping the future of pharmacy in Australia, providing pharmacists at all stages of their careers with an opportunity to represent their profession.

PSA CEO Mark Kinsela said the record number and ever-growing diversity of nominees was a promising sign for the future of pharmacy.

“PSA is delighted with the interest from members to be part of PSA’s leadership, also its pleasing to see the diversity of candidates mirror the strong diversity we see in the profession.  PSA members will be able to vote for a robust cross-section of pharmacists to represent them on Branch Committees”, Mr Kinsela said.

Mr Kinsela also noted a record number of Early Career Pharmacists (ECPs) and female pharmacists nominated for positions on the Branch Committees.

“More than half of all nominees are women, reflecting the strong leadership of women in the profession. Gender, age and cultural diversity has a powerful impact on leadership and ensures the peak body for pharmacists is focused on issues affecting the profession and driving an inclusive agenda to improve health outcomes for all Australians through pharmacy”.

Please see this year’s final nomination statistics below:

Voting for the PSA Branch Committee election will be held from 14 April – 11 May, 2021.

Australia’s leading voting & election service provider, CorpVote, has been appointed to manage the election process.

During the election period, CorpVote will issue How to Vote letters to those members without emails. They will also issue a Vote Introduction message along with reminders to members with emails. Kindly note that postal votes are on demand.

The PSA elections offer an opportunity for members to engage with PSA to:

• Have a say in the future of PSA at a State and National level
• Help lead the profession to support excellence in pharmacy
• Influence PSA policies and ensure a viable and sustainable future for pharmacists and pharmacy
• Enjoy personal development and new career opportunities.

Successful Branch Committee Members will hold office for a two-year term, beginning on 1 July 2021.

Media contact: PSA media 0487 922 176

Changes to WA legislation enable pharmacist-administered COVID-19 vaccinations