Editorial

From the desk of the editor

Welcome to the first homepage edition of i2P for 2012.
In many ways it has been a slow start to the New Year because of having to deal with the “leftovers” from 2011.
One of those items for i2P was that a third-party provider to the site did not advise of a code change to the security section in our subscribe panel, creating a range of frustrated subscribers not able to get on board.
We apologise to all those potential subscribers who were unable to register with us in the second half of 2011, but if you try once more you should have no problem.

read more
open full screen

Columns

Recent Comments

Click here to read...

Past Editions

Volume 1 Number 1
Volume 1 Number 2
Volume 1 Number 3
Volume 1 Number 4
Volume 1 Number 5
Volume 1 Number 6
Volume 1 Number 7
Volume 2 Number 1
Volume 2 Number 2
Volume 2 Number 3
Volume 2 Number 4
Volume 2 Number 5
Volume 2 Number 6
Volume 2 Number 7
Volume 2 Number 8
Volume 2 Number 9
Volume 2 Number 10
Volume 2 Number 11
Volume 3 Number 1
Volume 3 Number 2
Volume 3 Number 3
Volume 3 Number 4
Volume 3 Number 5
Volume 3 Number 6
Volume 3 Number 7
Volume 3 Number 8
Volume 3 Number 9
Volume 3 Number 10
Volume 3 Number 11
Volume 2012 Number 1

i2P Archives

Health Politics

EPublications

Click here for a list of epublications

Username: *

Password: *

• Request new password

PSA Media Release for January 2012

• Printer-friendly version
• Send to friend
• PDF version
• Share

	Peter Waterman articles by this author...
Keeping you up to date with PSA activities.

Information made available from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia by Peter Waterman. 
Peter Waterman is the Public Affairs Manager for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. 
He may be contacted by telephone(02)62834782, or on mobile phone0487 922 176.

open this article full screen

30 January 2011

PSA CALLS FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT IN ABORIGINAL HEALTH CARE AND CHRONIC DISEASE

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has presented a 2012-13 Budget submission proposing the Australian Government provide funding of $6.3 million for the introduction of a federally-funded pilot program aimed at improving health outcomes in targeted population groups through the employment of pharmacists.

The submission says the proposed Pharmacists and Chronic Disease (PACD) program would have two distinct but related components: the Pharmacists in Remote Aboriginal Health Services (PIRAHS) project; and the Mental Health Liaison Pharmacist (MHLP) project.

The PSA highlights that its submission: 

* targets key shortcomings in the safety and quality of health services for high-risk population groups in the community;
* will create synergies with additional value to the Government’s health-reform framework;
* addresses unmet need for services;
* builds capacity in the health workforce; and
* gives expression to the Australian Government’s policy objectives underpinning the key national health strategies.

National President of the PSA, Grant Kardachi, said the submission built on PSA calls for an investment in mental health care that links the needs of people with chronic disease to health reform. 

“PSA believes that for a small investment by Government, pharmacists can help deliver major improvements to heath outcomes for patients with mental health problems,” Mr Kardachi said.

 “A liaison pharmacist program would help people with mental health problems transition between acute care – or the hospital sector – back into the community where most of their care is provided.

“This is clearly an area of need and a liaison pharmacist would help patients navigate the system and link them back with their community pharmacist and GP,  working though Medicare Locals to  assist both the local hospital network and the Medicare Local to achieve their goals.”

Mr Kardachi said remote Aboriginal health services were another area where more work clearly needed to be done.

“Our submission presents options for using the unique skills of pharmacists to assist local communities and meet the medicine needs of Aboriginal people in remote areas,” Mr Kardachi said. “To date, the vast skills and knowledge that pharmacists possess have not been strategically utilised to address shortcomings in these areas and the PSA submission for a pilot program presents a pragmatic and cost-effective way to start reversing this trend.”

27 January 2012

PSA CONGRATULATES WARREN BLEE, OAM

Queensland pharmacist Warren Blee has been congratulated on being awarded a Medal of The Order of Australia General Division (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to the pharmaceutical industry and to the Australian Naval Cadets. 

National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Grant Kardachi, said Mr Blee was a very worthy recipient of the great honour. 

"Warren is very well known in pharmacy circles and his work for the profession over the years has been outstanding," Mr Kardachi said.

"Warren has also characterised the great principles for which the profession stands in his work as a community pharmacist and as a pharmacist who has always been available with help, advice and a friendly face for customers and patients.

“He has also been very active in the PSA and has been instrumental in the operation of a wide range of PSA committees and working groups and his participation in these areas has been untiring.”

Mr Blee was President of PSA’s Queensland Branch from 1997-1999 and 2005-2008; as well as holding the position of Vice-President from 1995-1997 and being a Councillor since 1991.

He was also the Queensland representative on the National PSA Transitional Authority which laid the foundations for the Society to become a unified national body representing pharmacists across all sectors of the profession in Australia.

In addition to these roles, Mr Blee has held a range of positions including Alternate National Director of  PSA; Chair of PSA’s  Finance and Audit Committee; Chair of the PSA Membership Working Group; Chair of the, Society’s Honours and Awards Committee; and Trustee of the Hugh and Mary Darragh Trust.

He was also a member of the Queensland Health Minister's Advisory Committee from 1997-1998.

“On top of all these roles which he dedicated so much time to, Warren has been a successful community pharmacist on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast since 1979,” Mr Kardachi said.

 

24 January 2012

PSA WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF KATE CARNELL AS BEYONDBLUE CEO

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has welcomed the appointment of Kate Carnell as Chief Executive Officer of the depression advocacy organisation, beyondblue.

National President of the PSA, Grant Kardachi, said Ms Carnell brought to the position a wealth of health-sector experience, in particular from her experience as a pharmacy profession advocacy leader and a former community pharmacist.

 “Ms Carnell also has immense political knowledge, having been Chief Minister of the ACT for some years, and her health-sector knowledge has been further developed with one of her more recent positions as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian General Practice Network,” Mr Kardachi said. 

“PSA believes this appointment will be a major boost for the mental health sector in Australia as Ms Carnell has broad and wide-ranging experience across diverse sectors of health profession.

“She is now in a position to help better utilise the many services and facilities that these professions have to offer in helping people with mental health problems. 

“PSA is particularly pleased that a pharmacist has been appointed to the position, given the role pharmacy plays in mental health and also the fact that pharmacists, because of their accessibility, are often the first point of contact that mental health patients have with health professionals.”

Mr Kardachi said PSA had for some time been urging greater use of the skills and experience of pharmacists to improve the health outcomes of people with mental health problems.

“Pharmacists interact almost on a daily basis with people who suffer from psychological or mental health problems and so are very well-placed to help them but in the past this has not been fully utilised to the benefit of those with problems.

“We look forward to working closely with Ms Carnell and beyondblue to further develop and implement programs and services to improve outcomes for people with mental health problems.”

 

19 January 2012

ANTIPSYCHOTICS IN FOCUS AT THE 2012 PSA REFRESHER CONFERENCE

To many pharmacists and GPs, antipsychotics are something of a mystery.

But for pharmacists attending the PSA offshore Refresher Conference this year, help is at hand.

Professor Andrew McLachlan, Education Director of the Refresher Conference, will present some simple rules to help understand the differences and similarities of the conventional and atypical antipsychotics.

It will be explained that the CATIE study showed there were no differences in symptom scores and quality-of-life measures between most antipsychotics; however there are differences between safety and tolerability and have a greater impact on therapy than any difference in efficacy.

Because of these substantial adverse effects, non-adherence is a common cause of treatment failure and pharmacists have an important role in assisting patients cope with the adverse affects including weight gain, hyperprolactinaemia, sedation or activation, anticholinergic effects plus recognising the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension and QT prolongation.

The PSA Offshore Refresher Conference 2012 is being held in the iconic city of Istanbul in late April where delegates have access to  45 group 2 accredited CPD points at presentations given by expert speakers on a wide range of therapeutic topics, professional issues and business trends.

This 37th annual Offshore Conference continues to deliver on its reputation as being the leading offshore essential practice education conference for Australian pharmacists.

The program this year, in addition to professor McLachlan’s presentation on antipsychotics, will feature Cardiovascular Disease and Dermatology in addition to the conference’s streams of therapeutic updates and business management.  The ever-popular case study workshops will feature strongly in the pre and post-conference programs.

 

18 January 2012

MENTAL HEALTH ROADMAP A GOOD FIRST STEP 

The Government’s draft Ten Year Plan for Mental Health is a welcome first step in helping to address what is Australia’s third most prevalent health problem after heart disease and cancer. 

However, Vice-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Claire O’Reilly, said the draft was disappointing in that while calling for  “a collective role” in improving mental health and  wellbeing, the draft fails to look very far beyond the usual suspects (or 'current system') and makes no mention whatsoever in its 42 pages of the most accessible of all health-care professionals – pharmacists. 

“Pharmacists are well placed to be alert to symptoms of  mental health problems in consumers, and to help advise and refer them for further treatment when appropriate,” Ms O’Reilly said.

“Pharmacists interact with people who suffer from psychological or mental health problems on a daily basis and therefore are in the prime position to help people with mental health problems.

“It is therefore disappointing not to see any mention of the role pharmacists can play in this draft roadmap.”

Ms O’Reilly said the PSA had put forward a submission to the Government, highlighting the role pharmacists could play in the mental health area, particularly during the very vulnerable time when patients were transferring from hospital to home or a care facility.

“PSA is also working with a range of stakeholders within and beyond pharmacy to develop a Framework for Pharmacists working as members of the Mental Health team. This process will encompass several activities in 2012, including a revision of the Statement of Mental Health Care Capabilities for Pharmacists 2009,” Ms O’Reilly said.

“PSA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Roadmap and the Society will be responding to the Government’s online survey in the very short time made available for stakeholder comment. 

“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure the role of pharmacists is recognised in the final roadmap.”

 

11 January 2012

INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM – 2012 ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN

The time has come for many pharmacy students to leave university and start their career as a registered pharmacist, and the best way for them to be equipped to face the   challenges of their new career is enrol in the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s National Intern Training Program (NITP). 

The NITP is a comprehensive, high-quality program with a flexible delivery method and is he recognised pre-eminent program that helps to equip students for their working career after years of study.

PSA’s experience has ensured that the NITP is in tune with the needs of today’s working environment and supports young pharmacists in achieving their goal of becoming competent and professional pharmacists.

Benefits of PSA NITP include: exceptional support helping to pass exams; content and connections to get a career off to a flying start; a one-stop shop for CPD; and unrivalled experience to ensure NITP is in tune with young pharmacists’ needs.

Such is the status of the PSA program that it has been granted accreditation by the Australian Pharmacy Council, the independent accreditation body for the Pharmacy Board of Australia which has been tasked with the accreditation of Intern Training Program (ITP) providers following the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme on 1 July last year.  Late last year the APC conducted a routine audit of PSA’s NITP and confirmed its accreditation status.

A great strength of the NITP is that it is delivered by the PSA, the professional organisation representing the professional interests of Australia’s 23,000 pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy.

This gives it credibility and depth of knowledge, in addition to experience second to none, which is used to helps students make the often-difficult move from university endeavour to the working life of a pharmacist.

The PSA program has been developed after consultation with students and early career pharmacists and has a special focus on workplace relevance, with topics and presentations designed to increase the applicability and practical use of pharmacists’ skills and knowledge. 

With a combination of interactive workshops and workplace-based activities, the NITP course is not just an extension of university, but a specifically developed program with a focus on the workplace and the full and practical utilisation of pharmacists’ skills and knowledge in practice. For more information and to enrol in the PSA National Intern Training Program please visit www.psa.org.au/intern or contact the PSA at intern@psa.org.au. Enrolments close on 30 January 2012.

10 January 2012

2012 OFFSHORE REFRESHER CONFERENCE FILLING FAST

Once again the PSA Offshore Conference being held in the iconic city of Istanbul in late April this year will present the most enjoyable and effective way of meeting all the APB’s mandatory CE requirements for the year. In fact there are 45 group 2 accredited CPD points on offer at presentations by expert speakers on a wide range of therapeutic topics, professional issues and business trends.

This 37th annual Offshore Conference continues to deliver on its reputation as being the leading offshore essential practice education conference for Australian pharmacists. The program this year will feature Cardiovascular Disease and Dermatology in addition to the conference’s streams of therapeutic updates and business management.  The ever-popular case study workshops will feature strongly in the pre and post-conference programs.

Chairman of the Offshore Refresher Conference, Warwick Plunkett, said the conference had already attracted close to 300 delegates with indications that this year’s event could be the most popular yet held.

“I am delighted that once again we have an outstanding faculty of speakers led by Professor Andrew McLachlan and the business and professional topics they will address have been especially targeted to the needs of today’s pharmacists,” Mr Plunkett said.

This year we have selected Istanbul as our venue for the main conference – one of the most popular and exciting travel destinations for Australians and a wonderful backdrop for our spectacular social program highlights.

“Turkey is a country which remains a living history and our pre-conference tour has been designed to show many of its highlights. Starting in the underground city of Cappadocia, through to the Roman town ruins of the Mediterranean coast and the unique limestone terraces of Pamukkale, this is a tour not to be missed.

“For those who may have visited Turkey already and still looking for adventure we have added the alternate tour to Jordan featuring visits to Petra and the Dead Sea

“Our Post conference pilgrimage to Gallipoli is bound to be an emotional highlight and will feature a special presentation by Australia’s most revered guide, Kenan Celik, bringing this immortal chapter of our history to life. For those with an appetite for more, a cruise around the beautiful islands of the Aegean Sea on the luxury ship Seabourn Odyssey will complete the program.

“I encourage people intending to go on any of these tours to book now as space is limited and with the high numbers already booked for the conference those who leave it too late may miss out on their preferences.”

Return to home

Clinical Newsfeed

Click here to read more...

Research Reports

Practice Development

Information Technology

Indigenous Health

Preventive Medicine

i2P Alliance Partners