1. Pharmacists welcome new SA Health Minister
September 21, 2017
The appointment of new South Australian Health Minister Peter Malinauskas MLC has been welcomed by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
Mr Malinauskas has replaced former Health Minister Jack Snelling who resigned from the portfolio earlier this week.
PSA SA/NT President Robyn Johns said: “PSA congratulates Mr Malinauskas on his appointment and we look forward to working closely with the Minister and the South Australian Government to ensure pharmacists’ skills and expertise help to improve health outcomes.”
Ms Johns also welcomed Mr Malinauskas’ appointment as Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the appointment of Chris Picton as Assistant Minister for Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse as well as Katrine Hildyard’s appointment as Minister for Disabilities.
“PSA is fully committed to working with the SA Government to improve the State’s health and ensuring pharmacists become even more integral to providing healthcare in the community,” Ms Johns said.
The major contributions and leadership of Mr Snelling were also applauded by PSA SA/NT including his outstanding work to expand pharmacist-delivered vaccinations in South Australia.
“Mr Snelling was instrumental in providing greater access to potentially life-saving vaccinations delivered by local pharmacists by expanding the range of vaccines they can administer,” Ms Johns said.
Under regulatory changes announced in May this year, adults can be vaccinated for measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio from their local authorised pharmacist.
2. Celebrating vital role of pharmacists on World Pharmacists Day
September 25, 2017
Utilising the skills and expertise of pharmacists to their full scope of practice to improve health outcomes for patients is being highlighted on World Pharmacists Day, the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) said.
World Pharmacists Day is being celebrated worldwide in accordance with the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) theme: From research to healthcare: Your pharmacist is at your service.
As the most accessible healthcare professionals, Australia’s 30,000 pharmacists – who work in a wide range of healthcare areas – are highly-trained medicines experts who support local communities every day to improve overall health outcomes for consumers.
In a new video message, PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said pharmacists were highly trusted professionals – along with doctors and nurses – and were a pivotal part of Australia’s healthcare system.
“I believe all pharmacists deserve strong recognition for their vital healthcare role, and the services they provide to consumers,” Dr Jackson said.
“So I wish every pharmacist a happy World Pharmacists Day – and I wish every pharmacist every success in helping to improve the health of the communities they serve.”
Reflecting on the scope of practice of all pharmacists, Dr Jackson said: “Pharmacists are highly trained around medicines, primary care conditions and in providing advice about the best use of medicines – and are able to identify ways where they can help patients.”
Dr Jackson said pharmacists work wherever medicines are used and play an important role in collaborative care teams to improve health outcomes.
“There are no other healthcare professionals with the same level of medicine knowledge as a pharmacist – which makes pharmacists unique in the healthcare sector,” Dr Jackson said.
“We have an epidemic of medication management issues in our society. Over 230,000 people are admitted to hospital each year because of medication misadventure – and pharmacists can help to reduce medication misuse. PSA is calling for increased support and utilisation of pharmacists across sectors to address these medication management issues.”
Dr Jackson said Australian pharmacists should also be celebrated for their individual diversity and recognition of the multiple settings in which they work.
“Pharmacists offer a wide variety of healthcare skills across various settings including community pharmacies, hospitals, universities, GP surgeries, consultancy, Government and the pharmaceutical industry,” Dr Jackson said.
A range of activities are being held across Australia to celebrate World Pharmacists Day – click here to find out more>>
Let us know what’s happening in your area and tag PSA on Facebook and Twitter using #WorldPharmacistsDay