Welcome to this weeks’ publication of i2P E-Magazine, dated 9 March 2015.
This week we highlight the opportunities for pharmacy associated with the Intergenerational Report 2015, a document that some claim has been politicised.
In the recent past an earlier, but faulty content version, was used as justification to be disruptive to the practice of pharmacy, through the formulation of government policies.
It’s too late to reverse the damage, but it is not too late for our leadership organisations to politically advocate for pharmacists, holistically and permanently ongoing, for a similar planning exercise for pharmacy.
Preferably developed as a unified pharmacy council.
The 2015 Report is really a basic set of data to manage the affairs of the nation over a 40-year period
It is a good report if the data is accurate, but there is an argument for it to be refined at regular intervals of 5 years to improve accuracy and forecasting.
i2P is suggesting that Australian pharmacy could emulate the Scottish government who have produced basically an Intergenerational Report in alliance with pharmacy and it is called “Prescription for Excellence” – a 10 year plan for pharmacy.
i2P covered the initial decisions and developments last September in an article titled
“A 10-year Pharmacist Service Plan-Scottish Government Style”
And in this edition we provide an updated suggestion in article format titled:
The Intergenerational Report – One for the Nation and One for Pharmacy?
We also point to the PSA and ASMI media releases – both those organisations have quickly identified some of the opportunities pharmacy can immediately utilise from the Intergenerational Report.
Because Australia has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UN International Women’s Day I asked Peter Sayers to look at the impact of women in pharmacy.
As he began his research, it dawned on me that the underlying principles of gender inequality were nearly identical to other forms of inequality that all pharmacists experience.
So I asked Peter to expand on this concept in his article
Gender Equality, Professional Pharmacist Equality and All Health Equality – Same problem, different label
Mark Neuenschwander is back with a report on a technology exhibition staged by the Amercan Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP).
It makes for interesting reading and a comparison base for Australian hospital pharmacists, compounding pharmacists and some community pharmacists.
See January 2015—2014 ASHP Mid-Year Meeting Technology Wrap-Up
Harvey Mackay is back with his take on the old saying “practice makes perfect” and identifies that it has to be perfect practice before a result is achievable.
Barry Urquhart is back after his trip to Antarctica and provides a commentary for that region, along with some photographs.
His main thrust in this article is about “being entrepreneurial”.
Read his steps in being an entrepreneur and decide whether you fit the bill.
Australian pharmacy desperately needs entrepreneurs.
Gerald Quigley has an article on the prevention of article clogging through the use of an evidence-based nutraceutical.
As Gerald points out, if the evidence profile that this nutraceutical displays was achieved by a mainstream medicine it would be broadcast to all media far and wide.
However, pharmacists may recommend this supplement to their patients as an alternative.
Finally, PSA, ASMI and NPS have a range of media releases posted over the week which includes pointers where pharmacists can usefully align with the Intergenerational Report 2015.
Enjoy your read for this week.
Neil Johnston,
Editor,
9 March 2015