Early Career Pharmacist invited to join PSA National Board
12 May 2016

An exciting opportunity for an Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) to become a National Board Director to help shape the future of the profession is being offered by the peak national organisation for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

Following a historic resolution passed at PSA’s National Board Meeting in March, the recruitment and appointment of an ECP PSA Director is now underway.

The PSA Board has made a strategic decision for the future needs of the profession, which includes having a stronger focus on Early Career Pharmacists in Australia.

PSA National President Joe Demarte said having an ECP on the National Board was an important commitment for the organisation.

“PSA proudly represent all pharmacists in Australia as we passionately believe in and are committed to the future of this important profession,” Mr Demarte said.

“That’s why I’m delighted to announce that PSA is seeking the contribution of an Early Career Pharmacist to its governance structure through the recruitment of an additional Board-appointed Director.

“The majority of the profession, and PSA’s membership, are Early Career Pharmacists so it makes sense to have at least one Director who fits this profile to help shape the future strategic direction of PSA.”

Mr Demarte said the term of the ECP PSA Director will be 12 months, and once an ECP Director was appointed, the person would also be appointed Chair of the National ECP Working Group.

“This is an excellent opportunity to make a commitment to your profession and we strongly encourage all eligible PSA members to apply for the position of ECP PSA Director,” Mr Demarte said.

To be eligible for this Director’s position, pharmacists must be a PSA member and:

• Be a registered pharmacist, with no more than 10 years of pharmacy practice experience post registration
• Have experience and knowledge of relevant issues facing Early Career Pharmacists.

Candidates are required to submit their applications to the PSA Returning Officer PSA CEO Dr Lance Emerson by 5pm May 29, 2016.

Pharmacist vaccinations to boost public health in Victoria
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE 10 May 2016

The Victorian Branches of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and Pharmacy Guild of Australia have welcomed the Victorian Government’s approval of pharmacist-delivered vaccinations, providing a major public health boost for the State.

The regulatory process has now completed in Victoria allowing pharmacist vaccinations, which brings Victoria into line with all other Australian States and Territories to give approval for immunisation by pharmacists.

The new regulations in Victoria will enable pharmacists to administer influenza and pertussis-containing vaccines to adults at approved pharmacy premises, including those who qualify for the National Immunisation program and the Victorian Government Parent’s Whooping Cough Vaccination program.

PSA Victoria Branch President Ben Marchant applauded the Victorian Government’s decision, saying the amended legislation will enable pharmacist-delivered vaccinations to provide important healthcare benefits to local communities across the State.

“Pharmacist-delivered immunisation is a positive public health service and helps to vaccinate members of the community, including those with chronic conditions, who previously would not have been vaccinated,” Mr Marchant said

“Pharmacists also play an important role in promoting immunisation and reducing the impact of vaccine-preventable disease in the community.  We sincerely thank the Victorian Government and health authorities for their support as part of achieving this important public health outcome.”

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President Anthony Tassone said: “Community pharmacies are one of the most visited and accessible primary healthcare destinations in Australia.”

“It makes sense that we better utilise the community pharmacy network to help deliver quality health outcomes for Victorians,” Mr Tassone said

”The PSA and the Guild look forward to working closely with the Minister and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to implement this and other vital health initiatives through community pharmacy in the future.”

Pharmacists are required to undergo an approved training program to administer vaccinations in Victoria.  The two pharmacy organisations are working together with the Victorian Government to have the workforce ready for mid-2016 for this development in pharmacy practice.

The Victorian PSA and Guild Branches look forward to continuing to work with the Victorian Government and authorities to ensure pharmacists can provide this important public health program and as a means of managing an individual’s health.

Brad Watts
PSA Executive Director, Communications
0487 922 176

Rohini Tanwar
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch
(03) 9810 9999

PSA awarded funding as peak national body for pharmacists
May 6, 2016

The Federal Government has awarded the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) with national peak health body funding.

Announced at PSA’s Offshore Refresher 2016 conference in South Africa, the Government has rewarded the organisation’s advisory, policy formulation, education and representation of pharmacists with peak body status as part of the Health Peak and Advisory Bodies Programme (HPAB).

PSA National President Joe Demarte (left) and PSA CEO Dr Lance Emerson sign the official peak health body funding agreement.

The Government established the HPAB to fund organisations for activities that support national secretariat functions, consultation with members on policy and program issues, information sharing on health policy, and the provision of informed and impartial advice to government.

PSA National President Joe Demarte welcomed the peak health body funding as a major first for the organisation, saying the HPAB funding support highlighted that PSA was truly representative of the entire pharmacist profession in Australia.

“It’s an historic and important achievement for PSA to be officially awarded funding by the Government as the peak national health body for registered pharmacists in Australia,” Mr Demarte said.

“We are exceptionally proud that PSA comprehensively represents all registered pharmacists in Australia – including community, hospital, accredited, industry and military pharmacists as well as pharmacists working in academia.

“We sincerely thank the Government for its strong support as well as recognise the support of all pharmacists who are members of PSA and contribute to improving the healthcare of Australians.”

The Federal Government values the role that peak bodies play in informing health policy by actively consulting with their members to ensure that the views of their sector are equally and fully represented to the Commonwealth.

 

Budget opportunities for pharmacists but questions on funding adequacy
May 3 – FEDERAL BUDGET 2016-17

Primary healthcare reforms being progressed as part of the 2016-17 Federal Budget should provide opportunities for greater involvement of pharmacists, the peak national organisation for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) said tonight.

However PSA questioned whether the funding quantum allocated to some primary healthcare programs will be enough to have a real impact on consumer health.

PSA National Vice President Michelle Lynch said pharmacists welcomed the allocation of $21.3 million over four years to trial the Health Care Homes model, recommended by the Primary Healthcare Advisory Group.

The trial will support primary care providers to deliver coordinated care, management and support to approximately 65,000 people with chronic and complex conditions in Australia.

“PSA questions if $100 (approx.) per patient per annum – or around $35,000 per healthcare home – is sufficient for patients with the most chronic needs to access genuine integrated care – which includes having a pharmacist on the team,” Ms Lynch said.

Ms Lynch said pharmacists welcomed the tobacco excise increase that will provide a major public health boost for Australians.

“The evidence-based changes to tobacco excise will improve the health of Australians by reducing their exposure to tobacco products however this needs to be combined with investment in smoking cessation programs through the highly-accessible community pharmacy network.”

PSA also welcomed the proposed redesign of the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) which will provide increased flexibility for general practice through Quality Improvement Incentive payments.

“We look forward to contributing to the design of these reforms based on best practice examples before the implementation of new arrangements in May 2017, as part of our ongoing advocacy, supporting a model for pharmacists in General Practice,” Ms Lynch said.

Ms Lynch said small business – which includes community pharmacy – will also benefit from personal income tax and small business depreciation and concessions.

From 1 July 2016, small businesses with annual turnover less than $10 million will have a company tax rate of 27.5 per cent.  Small businesses will also be able access instant write-offs for equipment purchased up to $20,000 for a business with a turnover less than $10 million.