February 18, 2015
Registrations now open for PSA15: Leading Pharmacy Innovation
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has announced that registrations for its unique new conference concept, PSA15: Leading Pharmacy Innovation, are now open.
PSA National President, Grant Kardachi, said the pharmacy conference market was becoming crowded and in response to feedback from the profession and the industry, PSA had developed a unique formula which combined concepts from PAC and CPExpo into the one offering.
“We have taken the best of these two conferences and added new features and ideas to create PSA15 – a fresh and innovative approach to pharmacy conferences moving into the future. The development of PSA15 has been an evolution, rather than a revolution,” he said.
“At PSA we have taken on board the needs of industry, and the needs of our members, to arrive at a formula which we are confident will deliver results for everyone – sponsors, industry and delegates.”
Mr Kardachi said a comprehensive and engaging program had been developed which would focus on how pharmacists can develop their role as healthcare professionals.
“With streams on health service delivery, innovations and emerging opportunities and therapeutic updates, there is something of interest in the program for all pharmacists,” Mr Kardachi said.
“The program is designed to maximise delegate networking opportunities and networking with our industry partners. The comprehensive education program can provide delegates with up to 34 CPD credits.”
Delegates can register for three days, the weekend or for one-day passes. Early bird registrations will close on 12 June and under this special offer PSA members will pay $600 for a full three-day registration.
A highlight of the event is that the gala dinner will be held at New South Wales Parliament House but places are limited so delegates are encouraged to get in early to get a ticket to a night of entertainment, networking and fine food.
PSA15 will be held from 31 July to 2 August at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Register online now at www.psa.org.au/psa15 to secure the early bird rate
PSA15 is supported by our conference partners PDL, Pfizer, GSK, Mundipharma and Danone Nutricia.
February 20, 2015
PSA (NSW Branch) to Launch Innovative Campaign
In the lead-up to the NSW election, the NSW Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has presented a range of policy proposals to reinforce the skills, knowledge and experience that pharmacists have to deliver better health outcomes for NSW in a way that makes economic sense.
NSW Branch President of the PSA, Dr Stephen Carter, said the proposals had grown from the policy and program ideas put forward byPSA members throughout NSW.
“They have been rigorously tested against available Australian and international research to deliver practical and economically sustainable health benefits,” Dr Carter said.
“There are more than 8,000 pharmacists in NSW; a growing and diverse workforce that is accessible, highly skilled and knowledgeable in the Quality Use of Medicines, and flexible to adapt to new professional opportunities that support the delivery of better healthcare in NSW.
Dr Carter said the proposals specifically covered the areas of a NSW medicinal cannabis program, community liaison pharmacists, medication and mental illness, pharmacy immunisers, electronic recording and reporting of controlled drugs (eRRCD), and pharmacy ownership.
“Community pharmacy is one of Australia’s great public-private-partnerships, delivering health services to the NSW population in an economically sustainable and patient-centred way from over 1,900 community pharmacies,” he said.
“These policy proposals reinforce the skills, knowledge and experience that pharmacists have to deliver better health outcomes for NSW in a way that makes economic sense.”
The proposals:
· Deliver economic benefits to a tight health budget, making up to $12 million available to reinvest elsewhere in the health system.
· Build patient-centred health services to reduce the 71,000 annual medication-related admissions to NSW hospitals, relieving pressure on emergency departments and improving mental health outcomes.
· Equip and educate pharmacists and the community on eRRCD and Quality Use of Medicines, reducing medication misuse and associated hospitalisations.
· Plan a compassionate, patient-centred program in the community setting for the medicinal use of cannabis.
· Realise public health benefits through the accessibility, knowledge and skills of a growing NSW pharmacist workforce who are ready to deliver vaccinations.
February 18, 2015
PSA launches APF23 – latest edition of Australia’s everyday guide to pharmacy practice
The 23rd edition of the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and handbook (APF23) is now available and offers a number of new sections as well as two new counselling guides.
APF23, Australia’s everyday guide to pharmacy practice, includes new sections covering the topics of Biosimilar medicines, Immunisation and Screening and risk assessment. The two new counselling guides – Common colds in children andThreadworms – further reflect the handbook’s ongoing development and evolution.
Chair of the APF23 editorial board, Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom, said the continual development of the APF had been in response to the constantly changing and expanding role of the pharmacist.
“The publication has kept pace with the growing needs of pharmacists as they fulfil their professional obligations in an ever-changing practice environment,” he said.
“Tenets of current pharmacy practice include counselling, evidence-based medicine, and encouraging and helping consumers to actively participate in their own healthcare. The APF23 provides practical, current and evidence-based information to assist pharmacists in upholding these professional principles.”
Emeritus Professor Sansom said APF23 was an invaluable resource for all pharmacists across all sectors of the profession.
“It can be used to quickly find information and guidance on many areas of pharmacy theory and practice, including identifying drug-related issues, making clinical judgements, counselling consumers on the safe and effective use of their medicines, and preparing extemporaneous products or modified oral formulations,” he said.
”All content has been rigorously developed and reviewed by a range of experts, with industry stakeholders also consulted.
“In keeping with the APF’s objective to be the everyday guide to pharmacy practice, this edition provides valuable information for all pharmacists, whether working in the community, hospital or academic setting, and pharmacy students.”
APF23 supersedes and replaces all previous editions and can be ordered through http://www.psa.org.au/apf