1. New healthcare collaboration supports diabetes education
January 16, 2018
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).
The PSA-ADEA healthcare partnership has enabled the launch of a co-branded, co-endorsed Pharmacist Diabetes Educator career pathway to provide guidance to pharmacists pursuing a career in diabetes education to support people living with diabetes.
PSA National Board Director Teresa Di Franco said: “This MOU will benefit both organisations to enhance diabetes education skills, knowledge, expertise, resources and policies to benefit all people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, their carers and the community.
“The PSA-ADEA collaboration will strengthen the education available to pharmacists working in the area of diabetes education as well as supporting advocacy efforts for Pharmacist Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDE),” said Ms Di Franco, who is also a Pharmacist CDE.
The main objectives of the MOU include to:
- ensure pharmacists are well supported in providing diabetes education and diabetes services to people living with diabetes
- increase the support, education and training activities available to Pharmacist Diabetes Educators and Pharmacist CDEs
- help networking between Pharmacist CDEs, nationally, through a special interest group
- assist in providing appropriate education and training for pharmacy staff
- assist in building and strengthening relationships between pharmacists, Pharmacist CDEs and the community.
ADEA President Giuliana Murfet welcomed the collaboration: “We know multiple health professionals are required to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide people with diabetes and their carers the best possible outcomes. This involves and is not limited to medical officers, nurses, podiatrists, dieticians, exercise physiologists, psychologists and pharmacists.
“The work that is currently being done with pharmacists is one part of the puzzle in providing the best quality care. We know that all consumers with diabetes will access a pharmacy at some time or another and this is an opportunity to improve the education provided through pharmacies to people with diabetes,” said Ms Murfet.
The Pharmacist Diabetes Educator career pathway will help guide pharmacists, starting from when they are a student, to becoming a Pharmacist CDE and advancing practice in this area.
Mentoring by a Pharmacist CDE in PSA’s market-leading Mentoring Program will also be recognised by ADEA’s credentialling process.
2. New training to improve communication with patients about their pain
January 11, 2018
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
In the lead-up to the imminent scheduling change for codeine-containing medicines, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) have released the final module to assist pharmacy assistants.
Called ‘Codeine rescheduling: Communication in pain management’, this module will explore principles of communicating with patients regarding pain management and medicines misuse.
Funded by the Australian Government, the training modules encompass a full suite of support and advice available to pharmacists and their staff nationally. They form part of the overall package of materials available from the Guild and PSA designed to support the community pharmacy sector to transition to the upscheduling of codeine on 1 February 2018.
Both organisations are committed to ensuring that rigorous, safe and patient-focused solutions are in place to enable this change, which will affect an estimated one million patients in 2018.
The Guild and PSA sincerely thank the Federal Government for providing funding for these training and support materials.
To enrol in the module for pharmacy assistants, please visit www.psa.org.au/codeine/education or www.myCPD.org.au
For more information, contact either PSA on 1300 369 772 or email education@psa.org.au or Guild Learning and Development on 03 9810 9930 or email learninganddevelopment@guild.org.au
3. Helping pharmacists communicate with patients on pain
December 21, 2017
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) have released the final module to assist pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in preparing for the rescheduling of codeine.
Called ‘Codeine rescheduling: Communication in pain management’, this module will explore principles of communicating with patients regarding pain management and medicines misuse.
Funded by the Australian Government, the training modules encompass a full suite of support and advice available to pharmacists and their staff nationally. They form part of the overall package of materials available from the Guild and PSA designed to support the community pharmacy sector to transition to the upscheduling of codeine on 1 February 2018.
Both organisations are committed to ensuring that rigorous, safe and patient-focused solutions are in place to enable this change, which will affect an estimated one million patients in 2018.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said through these modules – developed collaboratively by both organisations – pharmacists and pharmacy staff are now better equipped to deal with the changes to codeine in community pharmacies.
“Community pharmacists and their staff are better positioned to act as advisors and advocates for pain management. They can inform patients on the principles of pain, and work within a multi-disciplinary team to optimise both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments,” Dr Jackson said.
The National President of the Guild George Tambassis acknowledged the value of the partnership and outcomes.
“The Guild is proud of the work we’ve done with PSA to develop this training for community pharmacy. We know the training will really benefit pharmacy to help prepare for the change to the scheduling of codeine on 1 February. I’d like to acknowledge the support of the Federal Minister for Health in recognising the need for this project, and supporting it financially,” Mr Tambassis said.
The Guild and PSA thank the Government for providing funding for these training and support materials.
This activity has been accredited for 1.5 hours of Group 1 CPD (or 1.5 CPD credits), suitable for inclusion in an individual pharmacist’s CPD plan, which can be converted to 1.5 hours of Group 2 CPD (or 3 CPD credits) upon successful completion of relevant assessment activities.
To enrol in the module for pharmacists please visit www.psa.org.au/codeine/education or www.myCPD.org.au
The module for pharmacy assistants will be open for enrolments early next year.
For more information, contact either PSA on 1300 269 772 or email education@psa.org.au or Guild Learning and Development on 03 9810 9930 or email learninganddevelopment@guild.org.au
4. Pharmacist reforms to deliver quality, cost-effective healthcare
December 18, 2017
Pre-BUDGET SUBMISSION 2018-19
Implementing a large-scale trial to integrate pharmacists in general practice and developing a pharmacist-delivered Minor Ailments Service (MAS) in community pharmacies are key healthcare reforms the Federal Government should consider in the 2018-19 Budget, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) said today.
As the peak national body for all pharmacists, PSA outlined these primary care reforms in its 2018-19 pre-Budget submission as well as called for pharmacists to help improve mental health care and be “prominently” engaged with digital health and My Health Record to improve consumer health outcomes.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said there was a significant, cost-effective opportunity for the Government to further optimise the contribution and skills of pharmacists in Australia’s health system.
“As the most accessible healthcare professionals in Australia, pharmacists are ideally placed to provide medication management, high quality medicines advice and education to consumers, especially those with chronic and complex conditions,” Dr Jackson said.
“While pharmacists’ unique skills are often underutilised, there is an opportunity to ensure their skills are better utilised within the current health reform environment as part of collaborative models of care.”
Dr Jackson said the profession urged the Government to consider investing in a large-scale implementation trial of the pharmacists in general practice model to determine the best approach for implementing an evidence-based model in Australia.
“A systematic review recently found integrating pharmacists in GP clinics resulted in interventions that significantly improved blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, osteoporosis management and cardiovascular risk,” Dr Jackson said.
“Having effective interprofessional collaboration is critical to the future sustainability and efficiency of Australia’s health system.”
Another key reform recommended by PSA was allocating $5 million for a pilot of a structured and collaborative pharmacist-delivered MAS through community pharmacy.
“To evaluate the benefits of an MAS in Australia, PSA has called for a pilot of a pharmacist-delivered minor ailments program through community pharmacies in collaboration with local GPs. This would involve Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to target rural areas and areas with high numbers of emergency presentations for minor ailments,” Dr Jackson said.
PSA also advocated for pharmacists to be “comprehensively utilised” to assist mental health patients and carers.
“PSA has proposed a pilot project to investigate a structured model for pharmacists in supporting the mental, physical, social and emotional wellbeing of people living with mental health conditions and to evaluate the effectiveness of such a model,” Dr Jackson said.
Another key reform outlined by PSA included conducting a review to ensure a more robust, effective and sustainable National Medicines Policy (NMP).
While PSA recognises the longevity of the NMP, Dr Jackson said it must be acknowledged that the pharmacist profession, along with the wider health sector, has changed significantly since the last NMP review in 1999.
“As part of the review, PSA recommends that the Government consider a consultation process engaging a wide range of stakeholders across the health sector.”
PSA also proposed the Government invest $1.2 million in a discrete project to develop quality indicators for pharmacist practice in Australia as well as continue to support pharmacists to engage with My Health Record to improve consumer health outcomes through medication management.
“Overall, by investing in pharmacist-delivered reforms, there is great potential to positively impact the health outcomes of all Australians, while reducing unnecessary health system expenditure,” Dr Jackson said.
“Pharmacists and the community pharmacy sector are critical to the Government’s efforts to achieving sustainable, efficient and quality healthcare.”
Read PSA’s 2018-19 pre-Budget submission.
5. Tributes flow for “true gentleman” Jack Thomas
December 13, 2017
The outstanding achievements and long-term service to the pharmacy profession of Dr Jack Thomas OAM have been applauded by Australia’s pharmacist community, the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) said today.
Dr Thomas – a PSA member and Fellow for more than 50 years – was farewelled in Sydney on Monday after he died last week. Aged 89, he passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
His academic career started at Manchester University after he became a pharmacy apprentice in England aged 14. Dr Thomas joined the Pharmacy School at the University of Sydney in 1964 and was Head of School during the 1980s and 90s, overseeing the establishment of a Chair of Pharmacy Practice.
Dr Thomas was elected to the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of NSW (PSNSW) in 1967 and served as President from 1973–75. He was a leader in convincing other States to form PSA in 1977, and to expand CPD delivery as their major professional activity for members. Dr Thomas also served on the National Council of PSA from 1990–94.
He was instrumental in helping develop the first Offshore Conference in Noumea run by PSNSW in 1977 (now in its 41st year). He served as Education Director for 19 years and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said Dr Thomas was a “true gentleman” and pioneering pharmacist who was popular among his peers.
“After first qualifying as a pharmacist in 1951, Dr Thomas enjoyed a distinguished career in pharmacy as a leader, forward thinker and hard-working pharmacist,” Dr Jackson said.
“He became a legend in the profession – and helped to start PSA’s Offshore conferences which was an innovation at the time and a new way of looking at CPD.
“Of course, his legacy lives on with the popular Jack Thomas trophy clinical quiz, which is an annual highlight of the conference and always gets people talking and networking.”
He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Pam and Karen and grandchildren Mark and Ian and three great grandchildren
6. New training for pharmacist delivery of sleep apnoea services
December 11, 2017
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
An exciting new continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivery training program designed exclusively for pharmacists has been developed by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) in collaboration with the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA).
The blended training program called Sleep Apnoea Services for Pharmacists comprises three online modules followed by a face-to-face workshop offering practical hands-on experience in a sleep clinic.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said PSA was delighted to continue its productive collaboration with ASA after working together to develop the Practice guidelines for the provision of sleep apnoea services within pharmacy in 2015.
“This training program equips pharmacists with both the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to establish and deliver a high-quality CPAP service in a community pharmacy,” Dr Jackson said.
ASA President Peter Eastwood said sleep physicians from around the country are looking forward to working with PSA to support pharmacists to provide a better CPAP service for their patients.
The three online modules will focus on defining, assessing and managing sleep. The modules will also provide relevant background knowledge on topics including sleep studies, risk factors and treatment while focusing on the important role of pharmacists in providing CPAP services of a high standard.
The first face-to-face workshop will be held on Saturday 10 February 2018 at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Registrations are now open. For more information please contact education@psa.org.au