August 1, 2015
2015 Pharmacy Student of the Year announced
Shanae Hancey from Western Australia was named the PSA Pharmacy Student of the Year during a ceremony at the PSA15 gala dinner in Sydney last night.
Shanae also won the added honour of picking up the audience choice award for the event.
National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Joe Demarte, congratulated Shanae on the achievement and honour of being named the Pharmacy Student of the Year for 2015.
“This is a very prestigious recognition of a student’s commitment and knowledge, and their ability to communicate with consumers,” Mr Demarte said.
“I have been attending this competition for many years and I am constantly encouraged by the quality of young people that our profession attracts.
“The student pharmacists who enter this competition face a very challenging counselling session and during this all competitors this year displayed exceptional communications skills and very deep and diverse clinical knowledge.
“Importantly they were able to engage with their ‘patient’ in a meaningful way that in real circumstances would have very real benefits for the patients they were counselling.”
Mr Demarte said the judges for the competition found the skills of the student were more impressive every year.
“However, Shanae was a standout in a field of very impressive candidates,” he said.
“The Pharmacy Student of the Year award event is a great learning experience for the participants, the profession and the audience as well.”
The eight State, Territory and Wildcard finalists this year were:
William Caddy University of WA (wildcard)
Brighid Carey University of New England
Eloise Glover Tasmanian School of Pharmacy
Shanae Hancey Curtin University
Amanda Horiniak Monash University
Ashlei Mornement University of Canberra
Julia Shatursky Charles Darwin University
Samuel Turner Queensland University of Technology
This year’s competition was jointly sponsored by Alphapharm and API.
August 1, 2015
PSA launches sleep apnoea service guidelines to standardise services within pharmacies
Guidelines aimed at promoting the standardisation of sleep apnoea services within pharmacies in Australia were launched at PSA15 today.
The Practice guidelines for the provision of sleep apnoea services within pharmacy provide assistance to pharmacists on professional issues and obligations relating to pharmacy sleep apnoea services.
The National President of PSA, Joe Demarte, said the guidelines were a result of PSA’s ongoing recognition of the importance of continuity of care within the healthcare environment.
“These guidelines also promote policies and protocols designed to ensure effective channels of communication and collaboration between healthcare providers to ensure best possible outcomes for the patient,” Mr Demarte said.
“They have been developed in collaboration with the Australasian Sleep Association with whom we have a memorandum of understanding to support pharmacist education in sleep health and sleep science.
“This MOU established a framework for commitment and cooperation between the PSA and ASA to underpin this education which has led to these very comprehensive guidelines.”
Mr Demarte said that moderate-to-severe sleep apnoea, if left untreated, could lead to health problems which could include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, and depression.
“In addition, untreated sleep apnoea, in addition to being a health risk, is a safety risk for many people including long-distance drivers,” he said.
“Pharmacies are frequented by consumers due to easy access and convenience; and pharmacists and pharmacy staff who are educated and trained in this area are well placed to provide sleep apnoea.”
Further information can be accessed at psa.org.au
August 1, 2015
PSA launches sleep apnoea service guidelines to standardise services within pharmacies
Guidelines aimed at promoting the standardisation of sleep apnoea services within pharmacies in Australia were launched at PSA15 today.
The Practice guidelines for the provision of sleep apnoea services within pharmacy provide assistance to pharmacists on professional issues and obligations relating to pharmacy sleep apnoea services.
The National President of PSA, Joe Demarte, said the guidelines were a result of PSA’s ongoing recognition of the importance of continuity of care within the healthcare environment.
“These guidelines also promote policies and protocols designed to ensure effective channels of communication and collaboration between healthcare providers to ensure best possible outcomes for the patient,” Mr Demarte said.
“They have been developed in collaboration with the Australasian Sleep Association with whom we have a memorandum of understanding to support pharmacist education in sleep health and sleep science.
“This MOU established a framework for commitment and cooperation between the PSA and ASA to underpin this education which has led to these very comprehensive guidelines.”
Mr Demarte said that moderate-to-severe sleep apnoea, if left untreated, could lead to health problems which could include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, and depression.
“In addition, untreated sleep apnoea, in addition to being a health risk, is a safety risk for many people including long-distance drivers,” he said.
“Pharmacies are frequented by consumers due to easy access and convenience; and pharmacists and pharmacy staff who are educated and trained in this area are well placed to provide sleep apnoea.”
Further information can be accessed at psa.org.au
July 31, 2015
PSA-Aspen Innovation Grants’ recipients honoured at PSA15
The six State and Territory winners of the inaugural PSA-Aspen Pharmacare Australia Innovation Grants were recognised at a ceremony during PSA15 yesterday.
The new awards celebrate innovation in pharmacy through sustainable business practices while seeking to identify and pursue innovative ways to improve customer satisfaction and engagement, business profitability and sales growth in all areas of pharmacy practice.
National President of the PSA, Joe Demarte, presented certificates to the six State and Territory winners who were:
- Stephane Bredenbac, NSW
- Albert Yeap, Vic
- Samatha Kourtis, ACT
- Lisa Eldon, WA
- Catherine Vu, Qld
- Elise Apolloni, ACT
Mr Demarte said the awards sought examples of innovation that increased pharmacist-customer engagement, targeted customers with health promotions and professional services, and increased collaboration with other health professionals.
“The State and Territory winners’ received a $2000 grant to attend PSA 15 and highlight their work as part of the poster display,” Mr Demarte said.
“These posters are indeed impressive and the innovative thinking that has gone into them is amazing.
“They address, among other topics, important areas such as increasing consumer health outcomes and pharmacy business through the use of S2 and S3 products, and in maintaining and growing pharmacy dispensary through sustainable business practices.
“Aspen Pharmacare Australia and PSA share a common belief that the landscape of Australian retail pharmacy is continuing to change and in the highly competitive retail pharmacy market businesses can no longer run as they did in the past, relying on supply alone.
“The Aspen Pharmacare Australia and PSA Innovation Grants share the goal to see pharmacies transform into health service destinations.”
July 31, 2015
John Coppock named as PSA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
Pharmacist John Coppock, whose lifelong career has been focussed on his vision that the profession needs to be as united as possible in all things, has been named as the 2015 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the PSA’s Excellence Awards announced in Sydney today.
Mr Coppock, who was Chairman of PDL Ltd, was recognised for using his position and influence in encouraging various pharmacy organisations to work together for a united front to address issues of relevance or concern to the profession and health consumers.
Mr Coppock said receiving the honour came initially as a great surprise.
“But this was quickly followed by many memories flooding back of the years I was actively involved in official pharmacy.
Names such as Ern and Harry Braithwaite, Norman Cossar, Jim Matthews and Alan Russell – plus many others – immediately came to mind together with many meetings and occasions.
“I have always felt privileged to have had the opportunity to be involved in pharmacy organisations and obtained great satisfaction in helping fellow pharmacists.
The conduit for good outcomes is conversation, placing yourself in the other person’s position and thinking how you would like to be treated.
“Thank you pharmacy for many great years and may pharmacists continue to serve the public to achieve great health outcomes.”
PSA National President Joe Demarte said Mr Coppock had made a huge contribution to ensuring the profession remained as cohesive and strong as possible.
“John is a most worthy recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and his contribution is ongoing. He has been a stabilising force and a guiding hand at times when the profession has needed this most,” Mr Demarte said.
Brett Barons, General Manager Symbion, sponsors of the awards for the 11th consecutive year, congratulated Mr Coppock on his award.
“Apart from his work through PDL and the profession generally, John has been President of the Pharmacist Support Service since 2010.
Through this independent voluntary organisation, he leads a team of committed volunteers in providing a support service to all pharmacists, interns and pharmacy students through a telephone support service,” Mr Barons said.
“Symbion is proud to sponsor this award which honours a man who has contributed so much to the profession throughout his outstanding career.”
July 31, 2015
Andrew ‘Robbo’ Roberts named PSA Pharmacist of the Year
Remote pharmacist and tireless advocate for improvements in Aboriginal health, Andrew ‘Robbo’ Roberts, has been named the PSAPharmacist of the Year for 2015.
Mr Roberts is also renowned for advocating an extend scope of practice for pharmacists to improve health in rural and remote communities.
Living in a small community and travelling extensively throughout remote areas, Mr Roberts is a bush pharmacist who is also known for his community work.
He provides pharmacist services to 10 clinics which service 2500 people across a practice area the size of Victoria.
His work requires navigation of jurisdictional regulations across the Western Australian and the Northern Territory.
Mr Roberts said he was very honoured – and surprised – to receive this award.
“You can feel very isolated at times from your peers working 1000km from the nearest pharmacy and regional hospital.
I am never sure if my voice is heard, and if so, not dismissed as that mad man from the bush!” he said.
“My thanks go to Fran Vaughan who as the rural pharmacist academic in Alice Springs started a project to have a pharmacist working with a remote Aboriginal health service, and to the Ngaanyatjarra Health Service who have long recognised what pharmacists can bring to the health team out bush.
“My biggest thanks go to the people of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands for welcoming me on to their lands and into their lives for over 10 years.
I hope this award increases the recognition of the need for pharmacists to be working as part of the health care team for our remote Indigenous Australians.”
National President of PSA, Joe Demarte, said Mr Roberts was an exceptional pharmacist and an exceptional human being.
“The work he does means he is a community leader, a councillor, a coach, a Mr Fix-It and a pharmacist and he fulfils these roles with passion and commitment,” Mr Demarte said.
“He is a truly amazing character who can be the only healthcare professional many people in remote areas can consult with, depending on whether there are nurses at that clinic or out station.”
Brett Barons, General Manager Symbion, sponsors of the awards for the 11th consecutive year, congratulated Mr Roberts on his award.
“Reading his nomination is like reading an adventure novel; an adventure novel where the hero is a pharmacist who is absolutely dedicated to the people he serves. This award is fitting recognition of his extraordinary work,” Mr Barons said.
July 31, 2015
Amy Page named as PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year
A Melbourne pharmacist with a strong interest in deprescribing, the Quality Use of Medicines, geriatrics, pharmacy education and herbal medicines has been named the PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year for 2015 during a ceremony at PSA15 in Sydney today.
Amy Page has received the award also in recognition of the unique balance of academic, clinical and policy development she brings to her work.
Ms Page works in a GP clinic and is an accredited pharmacist who has completed a great many home medicines reviews.
She is completing her PhD on deprescribing, which at its core is about improving the quality of life of consumers who often don’t have a voice, such as elderly and those with dementia.
Ms Page said she was humbled to be the recipient of the 2015 PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year award.
“I am particularly grateful when looking at the exceptional pharmacists who are previous recipients of the award,” she said.
“This award is a celebration of the teams I work with. I’m lucky enough to have worked with passionate, strong teams: from the rural interdisciplinary team in Geraldton and the network of rural pharmacy academics, to the research team at University of Western Australia, and the primary health care team in Melbourne. I am privileged to work with amazing health care professionals who inspire me every day.
“The award also acknowledges the influence that other people have had on my career. In particular, my family are always supportive and encouraging. I have also been blessed to have amazing teachers and mentors from undergraduate studies through to my wonderful PhD supervisors.
National President of PSA, Joe Demarte, said Ms Page was well-known in academic pharmacy circles as a progressive young pharmacist whose opinions and insight into the profession were well beyond her years.
“She is a very driven pharmacist who strives to improve the health outcomes of elderly patients and other at-risk groups through a unique combination of direct clinical support through HMRs and pharmacy practice, but notably working in non-dispensing or non-traditional roles,” he said.
Brett Barons, General Manager Symbion, sponsors of the awards for the 11th consecutive year, said Ms Page was one of the few pharmacists in Australia to work in GP clinics providing medication advice to GPs at the time of prescribing and education on quality use of medicines.
“She is a wonderful example for all young pharmacists and for the profession as a whole,” Mr Barons said.
July 30, 2015
More international recognition for Australian Pharmacist
Australian Pharmacist, the official monthly journal for the 18,000-plus members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, has again been internationally recognised in the worldwide Trade, Association and Business Publications International awards.
Studio Manager and Graphic Designer Rebecca Jones and Business Development Manager Lyn Todd won the top Gold Award in the Front Cover, Photograph category for their The Flower Children Turn 60 cover of the December 2014 edition of Australian Pharmacist.
The judges commented: “Great concept and twist! The cover is clean and simple, yet makes a dramatic statement. Nice colours! After seeing this cover, I wanted to know more.”
Australian Pharmacist’s Managing Editor Andrew Daniels received an Honourable Mention in the Regular Column category of the awards.
Chief Executive Officer of PSA, Dr Lance Emerson, said the awards were once again a great recognition of the quality of Australian Pharmacist in design and editorial content.
“The award for this cover is especially significant as it involved a great many PSA staff who pitched in to help,” Dr Emerson said.
“Former studio designer Caroline Mackay and membership officer Joel Wilson added their input to Bec Jones’ graphic design and Lyn Todd’s accomplished photography to come up with a brilliant concept for the cover.
“The stunning result was a collaborative team effort – with individuals going beyond the call of duty – that tied the article together visually and ‘sell’ the story written by Peter Waterman.
“Once again Australian Pharmacist has taken on the best in the world and has stood out for its quality and innovation.
“Australian Pharmacist has excelled against 500 of the best magazines from across the world. We have won against major competitors with often huge manpower and financial resources at their disposal.
“Australian Pharmacist has long been recognised by PSA members as punching above its weight and now this has been internationally recognised.
“PSA strives for excellence for our membership in everything we do and Australian Pharmacist is a great example of just one of the great benefits that are available to our members.”