Addressing the nation’s healthcare needs means increasing the role of pharmacists by granting them access to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), said PSA. In its submissions to the taskforce reference groups, PSA focused on inclusion of pharmacist services on the...

The results of a study examining collaborative prescribing in Australian hospitals indicates that the practice, already successfully trialled in the US and the UK, effectively leverages the skills of pharmacists and could improve patient care outcomes in Australian hospitals. The...

The Queen’s Birthday honourees included seven pharmacists, acknowledging their diverse contributions to the profession, and speaks to pharmacy’s impact in healthcare. The pharmacists recognised represented a variety of different specialties within the profession, speaking to the diversity of ways in...

A new survey from researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has revealed changing trends in safe sex practises amongst 15–29 year olds. Experts say pharmacists could play a valuable role in supporting this cohort, particularly amongst...

A recent report released by Beyond Blue has further revealed the state of men’s mental health in Australia. Pharmacists can help to intervene before a crisis reaches breaking point. Through analysis of coded ambulance data between 2015–2016, the report, conducted...

Pharmacists should be able to administer vaccinations in any health setting. Appropriately trained and qualified pharmacists across all Australian states and territories can administer the influenza vaccine to eligible patients. At the end of last year approximately 11 million...

The quality use of medicines is vital to ensure a sustainable healthcare system and better health outcomes for consumers. This was the dominant theme at the recent Choosing Wisely Australia national meeting, held last week in Melbourne. The annual event,...

In the fourth of a six-part series, we expand on the PSA Choosing Wisely recommendations, taking a closer look at the dispensing of repeat antibiotic prescriptions. There is considerable evidence that clinical outcomes between short and long courses of antibiotics...

Daniel Gilbertson is a pharmacist with a mind for business. Now the head of healthcare operating models at Medibank, he previously worked as a community pharmacist and hospital pharmacist. Tell us about your current role. I oversee the design of new...

New principles will help guide design and delivery of high-quality pharmacy services. We have a high-quality health system in Australia, and a first-class pharmacy profession providing valued care to their communities and patients. However, there are still unacceptable variations...