Outstanding WA pharmacists honoured with Awards
20 February 2017
Innovative pharmacist Dr Carolyn Glazier was named the PSA MIMS Western Australian Intern of the Year at the recent WA Excellence Awards, hosted by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
The Western Australian Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) Award, Pharmacist of the Year and Life Time Achievement Award were also announced at the WA Excellence Awards ceremony in Perth on February 10.
The PSA MIMS Intern of the Year Award recognises interns who have demonstrated exemplary performance and leadership skills in their development as professional pharmacists.
With a PhD in molecular biology, Dr Glazier is completing her internship at Gerald Burns Pharmacy, where she is an integral part of the team and developed significant resources for her local community.
PSA WA Branch President Teresa Di Franco, who presented the Award, congratulated Dr Glazier on her dedication to the profession.
“Dr Glazier has developed evidence-based training sessions for all pharmacy staff, encouraging them to discuss new concepts and ideas,” Ms Di Franco said.
“She has also initiated a pharmacist clinical discussion group for her colleagues to discuss case studies and the latest advances, sharing their experiences, opinions and creative problem-solving.”
As part of her Award, Dr Glazier will now attend PSA’s flagship conference PSA17 in Sydney from July 28–30, 2017. At PSA17, she will compete with other State and Territory winners for the coveted PSA MIMS National Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award.
MIMS Australia has been publishing medicines information since 1963 and is the leading supplier of trusted, quality, independent medicine information to Australian healthcare professionals, known for its high level of editorial integrity and independence.
The major award winners included:
- Pharmacy Practice Innovation Award:Lusi Sheehan, Pharmacy 777 Applecross Village – wound care services
- WA Early Career Pharmacist Award:Luke Vrankovich, Roaming pharmacist and mental health advocate
- WA Pharmacist of the Year:Steve Lewis, Pharmacist Proprietor – High Wycombe Pharmacy
- WA Life Time Achievement Award:Mr Malcolm Roberts.
Pharmacist appointed to Medicinal Cannabis Advisory Council
February 16, 2017
Leading pharmacist Michelle Lynch, a National Vice President of the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, has been appointed to the Australian Advisory Council on the Medicinal Use of Cannabis.
The new advisory council will provide expert advice to the Government and report to the new Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.
Ms Lynch will be the pharmacy profession’s representative on the expert panel that will provide specialist, balanced and timely advice to the Government on:
- Ongoing implementation of the regulatory scheme allowing for the licenced cultivation and manufacture of medicinal cannabis in Australia
- Design of medical prescribing guidelines and the use of the Authorised Prescriber and Special Access Scheme mechanisms allowing for patient access
- Current state of medical evidence supporting the use of medicinal cannabis for a variety of clinical conditions.
Ms Lynch said she was delighted to be representing pharmacists on the expert panel. “I thank Minister Hunt for the opportunity to represent pharmacists on this important healthcare issue,” Ms Lynch said.
“PSA supports the development of a regulatory framework, resources and an education program to support pharmacists in the dispensing of medicinal cannabis products and provision of tailored information to patients, carers and prescribers,” Ms Lynch said.
“As the peak professional body for pharmacists, PSA welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the experts and the Federal Government on the development of education, training and guidelines for the dispensing of medicinal cannabis products, as it’s an important area that may be subject to misinformation at both practitioner and patient level.”
PSA National President Joe Demarte said consistent with Australia’s National Medicines Policy, the pharmacy profession supports timely and appropriate access to medicines for all Australians.
“Pharmacists have an important role in Australia advocating for and supporting consumers and carers to access appropriate medicines,” Mr Demarte said.
PSA’s position statement Therapeutic use of cannabis supports the development of an appropriate regulatory framework to allow formal research to be undertaken to investigate the potential benefits of therapeutic use of cannabis.
Read the full position statement here>>
Flagship conference PSA17 opens call for abstracts
February 15, 2017
The peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), has called for abstracts for the flagship annual conference PSA17.
Selected abstracts will be presented as part of the ‘Pioneering Clinical Practice and Research’ stream and/or as a poster with influential academic leaders. Prizes will be awarded for the best oral presentation and poster.
PSA National President Joe Demarte said as PSA17 is a collaboration with the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA), submitting an abstract provides a unique opportunity to network with potential collaborators and have your research presented and translated on an international stage.
“PSA17 is the ideal platform to network with pharmacists and pharmacy owners as potential subjects for research,” Mr Demarte said. “The conference schedule features a high ratio of oral presentations, so when you submit an abstract you have a great chance to boost your profile with a wide audience.”
PSA Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) National Board Director Taren Gill said PSA17 provided an opportunity to share research and ideas in Australia, giving pharmacists the flexibility to present their research without compromising hospital, university or pharmacy staff levels.
“PSA17 provides an opportunity and platform to share research, quality improvement projects and ideas in Australia,” Ms Gill said.
The conference will be held at the newly refurbished Hyatt Regency Sydney from July 28–30, 2017. More than 50 presenters will address the conference theme of Leading Pharmacy Innovation, including local and international experts.
The deadline for abstracts is midnight Friday May 26, and presenters will be notified on June 9.
A limited amount of early bird tickets will also be available from the PSA17 website from March 2017.
For more information and to submit your abstract, click here>>
Complementary medicines and PSA’s Code of Ethics
February 13, 2017
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Joe Demarte said: “The peak national body for pharmacists PSA has expressed concern about a new survey claiming around 30 per cent of pharmacists in Australia are recommending non-evidence based complementary medicines to patients.
“This practice, as claimed by Choice and the ABC, is not supported by PSA’s recently revised Code of Ethics or our Position Statement on Complementary Medicines.
“When discussing the use of complementary medicines with consumers, pharmacists must ensure that consumers are provided with the best available information about the current evidence for efficacy, as well as information on any potential side effects, drug interactions and risks of harm.
“The Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF23) also provides evidence-based information about a range of complementary medicines to support pharmacists counsel consumers on the safe, effective and appropriate use of these medicines.
“Pharmacists – as healthcare professionals – are best placed to assist consumers in making informed, evidence-based decisions regarding complementary medicines and many pharmacists in Australia already adhere to PSA’s Code of Ethics principles and position statement on this issue.
“PSA strongly recommends that all consumers considering taking complementary medicines consult with pharmacists who adhere to PSA’s Code of Ethics and provide evidence-based advice.”
Revised Code of Ethics released for pharmacists in Australia
February 8, 2017
The revised Code of Ethics for Pharmacists – a key document that underpins the professional practice of all pharmacists in Australia – has been released today by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
The release of the revised Code follows a comprehensive review process undertaken to ensure the Code is consistent with ethical requirements of contemporary pharmacist practice and reflects the healthcare expectations of Australian consumers.
Chair of the Project Advisory Group (PAG) Grant Kardachi highlighted that the review has led to a number of significant changes to the Code.
“A significant outcome of the review has been the alignment of the Code’s seven principles to three ethical values pertinent to professionalism – Care, Integrity and Competency,” Mr Kardachi said. “The revised Code clearly articulates the behaviours and values expected in our profession.”
The comprehensive review has also renewed the focus on patient-centred collaborative care to further enhance public trust in pharmacists.
The revised Code has been endorsed by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Mr Kardachi applauded the significant contribution of members of the PAG and the Review Working Group, and sincerely thanked the many individuals and organisations that contributed to the review through the public consultation process.
“PSA also gratefully acknowledges the Federal Department of Health for providing funding for this important work as part of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Access and Sustainability Package including the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement,” Mr Kardachi said.
A number of practice support tools to assist pharmacists with implementing the revised Code are scheduled for release in March this year – PSA would encourage all pharmacies to prominently display a summary of the Code.
For more information and to download the full revised Code, visit the PSA website.
Pharmacy Student of the Year wildcard winner
February 6, 2017
Perth-based student pharmacist Tessa Drew has been congratulated by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), for winning the PSA Pharmacy Student of the Year competition (PSOTY) wildcard.
Ms Drew, a fourth-year student at Curtin University, was named the PSOTY wildcard winner at the recent National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Annual Congress held in Perth. She will now compete in the PSOTY national final at PSA17, PSA’s flagship annual conference to be held in Sydney from 28-30 July.
Proudly sponsored by Mylan and Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), the PSOTY competition showcases PSA student members’ counselling skills by challenging participants to respond to patient issues in role-playing scenarios. Students have the chance to apply their pharmacy knowledge and receive practical counselling experience.
PSA Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) National Board member Taren Gill, who presented the Award who presented the Award along with PSA National Board Member Professor Jeff Hughes, said the high calibre of students was incredible this year.
“I’m really encouraged that there are some fantastic, empathetic and considered pharmacist communicators entering the profession,” Ms Gill said.
“Many students plan to enter the State and Territory-based competition heats as the PSOTY wildcard has given them the confidence to have a go. The prize of registration, flights and accommodation to attend PSA17 is a huge motivator as provides a great opportunity to network with potential mentors in the profession.”
The other finalists in the wildcard competition included:
- David Paulmert from Griffith University
- Erin Randall from the University of South Australia
- Louise Woodhams from Curtin University
- Van Nguyen from the University of Sydney
- Chloe Minns from the University of Queensland
- Gemma Latter from James Cook University.
The competition was judged by PSA WA Branch Vice President Travis Bailey, PSA WA Branch Committee Member Anna Gelavis, Mylan Business Advisor Michelle Stamos and NAPSA Director of Public Relations Sandra Minas.
The judges said: “It was great to see so many excellent and capable people competing. We were inspired by the standard of all the competitors. The future of pharmacy is in good hands.”