1. Preparing pharmacy assistants for changes to pain medicines
October 27, 2017
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
The change to the scheduling of pain and cold and flu medicines from 1 February 2018 represents a significant shift in the pain management category for community pharmacy, according to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
As a result, community pharmacies need to plan for and manage this change, and pharmacy assistants are an important part of implementing the protocols and practices developed to assist customers with their pain management needs.
The Guild and PSA have developed a series of five modules to assist pharmacy assistants to understand this change and adapt to the new scheduling requirements.
Both organisations 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 two organisations have collaborated to develop the package of materials – designed to support pharmacists and consumers – which reflect a whole-of-pharmacy approach to ensure the entire pharmacy sector is prepared for the change.
The first of these modules Scheduling changes: Managing the transition to Prescription Only Medicines has been approved as QCPP Refresher Training and will guide pharmacy assistants through the changes.
The learning objectives for this course are:
- Recognise the change to scheduling that will occur in February 2018
- Recognise who will be affected
- Identify the key actions that should be undertaken to prepare for scheduling changes.
This activity has been approved for 30 minutes of QCPP Refresher Training and will contribute to the annual requirement of three hours of QCPP Refresher Training for pharmacy assistants. To enrol in this course please visit www.myCPD.org.au or www.psa.org.au/codeine/education
For more information, contact either the Guild on (03) 9810 9930 or email learninganddevelopment@guild.org.au or PSA on 1300 369 772 or email education@psa.org.au
2. Pros and cons for pharmacists in Productivity Commission
October 25, 2017
New recommendations by the Productivity Commission supporting pharmacists working in patient-centred and collaborative care with other health professionals have been welcomed by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
However PSA has rejected calls outlined in the report to move away from community pharmacy for dispensing medicines to an automatic dispensing model supervised by a suitably-qualified person.
These recommendations were contained in the Productivity Commission report on Australia’s productivity performance – called “Shifting the Dial” – released by the Federal Government.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said while the report contained several positive reforms for pharmacists, the recommendations around community pharmacy were a major concern.
“PSA agrees that change offers the potential for serious gains in the healthcare system but we see the method of achieving this change differently to that of the Productivity Commission. Community pharmacy is a vital network of healthcare that should be invested in rather than be diminished,” Dr Jackson said.
“Reforms to boost productivity should link activities by pharmacists to health outcomes, a recommendation that was lacking in this report and that PSA has championed for a long period of time.”
Dr Jackson said: “We also support the use of technology and technicians to improve efficiencies in the dispensing process.
“The professional consideration and interaction of a pharmacist – the most accessible health professionals in Australia – around medicines, medication management and the patient are fundamental components of the dispensing process. Removal of these aspects will likely compromise patient safety and affect health outcomes.”
Dr Jackson said PSA was committed to evidence-based practice and therefore supported the report’s recommendation to work towards reducing the use of low-value health interventions.
“The implementation of a health care system built around principles of patient-centred care – especially involving pharmacists and community pharmacy in the Health Care Homes (HCH) model – is aligned with the focus of PSA and pharmacist practice,” Dr Jackson said.
PSA also supported the recommendation to “use information better” for patient care. “Appropriate use of datasets, research and outcomes of evaluations can inform and improve healthcare policy and implementation of best practice pharmacist care,” Dr Jackson said.
Dr Jackson said PSA also agreed with the recommendation that pharmacists should play a new remunerated collaborative role with other primary health professionals where there is evidence of the cost-effectiveness of this approach.
“A concerted effort is required to support pharmacists and patients through digital advances that can make a difference to healthcare delivery.”
3. Pharmacists welcome new Rural Health Commissioner
October 21, 2017
The appointment of a new National Rural Health Commissioner has been welcomed today by the peak national body for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said Professor Paul Worley was a highly experienced and leading healthcare professional with a strong rural health background.
“Pharmacists warmly welcome Prof Worley’s appointment and his important commitment to improving access to quality health services and care in rural and regional communities,” Dr Jackson said.
“PSA welcomes the opportunity to work with Prof Worley to collaboratively progress regional and rural health reforms with other healthcare bodies.
“We also look forward to developing programs for pharmacists in rural areas targeted at improving the distribution, training and retention of pharmacists in rural and regional Australia.”
Dr Jackson congratulated the Federal Government on the move and applauded Assistant Health Minister Dr David Gillespie.
As the new Commissioner, Professor Worley will consult with a wide range of health professionals and stakeholders – including pharmacists – to improve rural health policies and champion the cause of rural practice.
“We look forward to highlighting the important role of pharmacists in rural healthcare – as they are the most accessible health professionals in Australia and respected leaders in local communities,” Dr Jackson said.
4. New resources to minimise impact of codeine transition
October 19, 2017
Community pharmacies across Australia will receive resources designed collaboratively by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) in preparation for the 1 February 2018 transition of medicines containing codeine becoming Prescription Only.
The Guild and PSA 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 two organisations have collaborated to develop the package of materials – designed to support pharmacists and consumers – which reflect a whole-of-pharmacy approach to ensure the entire pharmacy sector is prepared for the change.
The Guild and PSA have also worked together to develop specialised online training modules and tools for pharmacists and pharmacy staff to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. The materials being provided to pharmacies include:
- A fact sheet on what a pharmacist needs to know about changes to medicines containing codeine.
- A pharmacy check list to prepare for the February 2018 upscheduling.
- A counter card to encourage consumers to talk to their pharmacists about pain management.
- Self Care Fact Cards for pharmacists to use with patients.
- A flow-chart to help pharmacists and pharmacy staff provide advice and referrals to patients.
- Template letters of referral and seeking assistance communicating the changes to patients for pharmacists to send to their local health professionals.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson, said: “This is a very positive move that will enable community pharmacists and other pharmacy staff across Australia to support patients during this significant transition in the coming months.”
The National President of the Pharmacy Guild, George Tambassis, said: “We are pleased to have worked with the PSA on this important project which is all about assisting patients, pharmacists and pharmacy staff in understanding and managing the change safely and effectively.
The Guild and PSA sincerely thank the Federal Government for providing funding for these training and support materials.