Screening and risk assessment services in community pharmacies must be evidence-based, meet unmet needs in the community, be appropriate for a pharmacy setting and provided by an appropriately-trained pharmacist, the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA said today.

With this in mind, PSA has developed a new position statement on screening and risk assessment to assist pharmacists and pharmacy organisations delivering services (including banner groups), of the principles that should underpin decisions to offer pharmacy-based screening and risk assessment services.

These principles are informed by the World Health Organization’s Principles of early disease detection and include:

• Principle 1: Screening and risk assessment services should target conditions associated with a significant burden of disease, and populations where interventions provide greatest value.
• Principle 2: Interventions must be evidence-based and appropriate for the pharmacy setting.
• Principle 3: Pharmacists need to obtain and document informed consent.
• Principle 4: Pharmacists must facilitate appropriate follow up, including referral for patients with a positive screening test.
• Principle 5: Pharmacists must be appropriately trained and equipped to provide screening and risk assessment services.

Screening and risk assessment – which is within the scope of all pharmacists’ practice in Australia – is a key component of Australia’s strategy to reduce the burden of preventable disease.

PSA National President-elect Dr Shane Jackson said: “The opportunity for consumers is obvious as it represents a highly accessible avenue into the healthcare system through community pharmacies, just as we see consumers getting flu vaccinations in a pharmacy when they would otherwise have not been vaccinated.

“However pharmacy organisations – including banner groups – are reminded that such tests must be based on meeting an unmet need and PSA does not want to see duplication. In response to comments from the AMA, we also highlight the need for comments from organisations in healthcare to be constructive, respectful and to not diminish the existing standing of healthcare professionals in the eyes of the public.”

Dr Jackson said: “Screening and risk assessment activities in community pharmacy must not only be evidence-based and appropriate for the pharmacy setting, they must only be provided by an appropriately trained and equipped pharmacist using validated screening and risk assessment tools.

“We suggest pharmacists and pharmacy groups utilise this new screening and risk assessment guideline to review the programs they are offering to the public to ensure these programs are appropriate for our healthcare system.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will officially open the flagship conference hosted by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

PSA National President-elect Dr Shane Jackson said he was delighted to confirm Mr Hunt will open PSA17 as a keynote speaker on Friday, July 28.  Minister Hunt will also help to present the 2017 PSA Symbion Excellence Awards.

“We welcome Minister Hunt as the guest speaker for the opening session of the conference,” Dr Jackson said.

“PSA looks forward to an update from the Health Minister on healthcare policies impacting pharmacists and pharmacies in Australia.”

Dr Jackson said with such a unique and engaging program, PSA17 was a must-attend event for all pharmacists in Australia.

“This year there is such an exciting program with so much on offer for all pharmacists, including clinical updates, professional program service delivery, great networking opportunities and the latest in innovative services,” Dr Jackson said.

“If you’re interested in the future direction of pharmacy, then PSA17 is certainly not to be missed,” Dr Jackson said.

PSA is partnering with the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) to jointly host the PSA17 conference at one of Sydney’s premier convention spaces, the newly refurbished Hyatt Regency Sydney at Darling Harbour from July 28–30, 2017.

To find out more, visit www.PSA17.com

Note:
The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association advances health, promotes well-being and develops education for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth. 
It supports the development of safe and effective systems of medicines management, healthier lifestyles, and the reduction of health inequalities.
This includes providing administrative and financial support where possible. 
Through building a strong collaborative network and creating a platform for the dissemination of knowledge about pharmaceutical sciences and professional practice, we support our member organisations to improve the quality of pharmacy practice throughout the Commonwealth.