Dimitra Tsucalas FPS[/caption]
Dimitra Tsucalas FPS from Ascot Vale Pharmacy in Melbourne told AP that World Pharmacists Day had prompted her to reflect on her passion for the profession.
‘I love the work variety Australian community pharmacy now offers compared to even 10 years ago, let alone 30,’ she said.
‘A smile, a lightbulb moment, a healed wound, the look of pain relief or the sleep satisfied and rested CPAP client are just a few of the rewards I am honoured to receive.’
It had been a difficult year dealing with the COVID-19 lockdown, however.
‘The [quiet] roads and the absence of noise are like an old-fashioned long Sunday,’ she said.
‘Pharmacy staff inhale the fumes of 70% alcoholic sanitiser and pharmacy practice is punctuated by a revived fax machine, an energised email, a very overworked, tired telephone and exponential masked deliveries.’
Managing Pharmacist at Caremore Pharmacy Kippax in Canberra Andrew Kelly MPS had felt more connected to his community during the highs and lows of the year.
‘You become a part of people’s lives,’ he told AP, ‘and the trust and confidence they place in you is quite humbling.’
[caption id="attachment_11369" align="alignleft" width="215"]
Andrew Kelly MPS[/caption]
He reflected that pharmacists had played an important role in supporting their communities through the bushfires and again through COVID-19, by helping them process information and providing guidance and reassurance.
‘Working in community pharmacy, you soon realise that your role covers so much more than medicines and the counselling that goes along with it,’ he said.
‘I cannot think of many other professions where people intrinsically place their trust in you, not necessarily because of your name, or what you may have done for them in the past, but just the very fact that you are a pharmacist.’
PSA SA/NT Branch Committee Member Adam Forrest celebrating in the lead up to World Pharmacists Day[/caption]
In the lead up to World Pharmacists Day, PSA has announced three new Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the profession.
Luke Kelly and Patricia Payne from New South Wales and Dr Tin Fei Sim from Western Australia were acknowledged for advancing pharmacy practice over an extended period of time.
PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman congratulated the new Fellows.
‘Fellowships of PSA are a prominent acknowledgement of those who have provided an outstanding contribution to the Society or the profession for an extended period of time,’ he 
The FIP Development Goals. (Image: FIP)[/caption]
Flinders University academic pharmacist and Chair of the FIP Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ross McKinnon said the goals could also be used to track the profession’s progress.
Crises bring out the best and worst in people. Sadly, Toronto Priceline pharmacist Kiely Hindmarch, experienced the worst.
‘The abuse [from consumers] has been monumental,’ she said. ‘I have been hit in the face, spat at, sworn at 20 times a day over things like lack of [salbutamol] and supply changes.’
As owner of the Nedlands Terry White Chemmart, Hazel Matz has made it a top priority to absorb the latest information on COVID-19.
Ravi Sharma, Director for England of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. (Image: FIP)[/caption]
In the UK, p
Parisa Aslani FPS is one of three new Vice Presidents of FIP.[/caption]
Michael Wong MPS[/caption]
Katie Hayes MPS[/caption]
Thomas Duong won the People’s Choice award[/caption]
World Pharmacists Day 2020
In the lead up to World Pharmacists Day on Friday, pharmacists around the country have expressed pride, passion and excitement for their work, the importance of which has been highlighted during a difficult year.
New global goals for pharmacy
Promoting antimicrobial stewardship, patient safety and digital health are just three of the new global goals for pharmacy launched by FIP on Monday.
Psychotropic medicine use in the disability sector
Psychotropic medicines are ‘overused and misused’ in the disability sector, consultant pharmacist Dr Manya Angley FPS told the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability yesterday.
Generalised anxiety disorder
Left untreated, an anxiety disorder can impair a person’s capacity to perform everyday tasks and can negatively impact on their quality of life.
Future facing: long-term practice effects of COVID-19
Pharmacists have adapted to life in the COVID-19 era, but what new practices should remain permanently?
As Australia marks 6 months of disruption, uncertainty...
World Pharmacists Day 2020
In the lead up to World Pharmacists Day on Friday, pharmacists around the country have expressed pride, passion and excitement for their work, the importance of which has been highlighted during a difficult year.
New global goals for pharmacy
Promoting antimicrobial stewardship, patient safety and digital health are just three of the new global goals for pharmacy launched by FIP on Monday.
Psychotropic medicine use in the disability sector
Psychotropic medicines are ‘overused and misused’ in the disability sector, consultant pharmacist Dr Manya Angley FPS told the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability yesterday.
Generalised anxiety disorder
Left untreated, an anxiety disorder can impair a person’s capacity to perform everyday tasks and can negatively impact on their quality of life.
Future facing: long-term practice effects of COVID-19
Pharmacists have adapted to life in the COVID-19 era, but what new practices should remain permanently?
As Australia marks 6 months of disruption, uncertainty...
POPULAR
COVID-19: Continued Dispensing extended to ensure supply of essential medicines
Emergency measures to allow continued access to essential medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) have been extended to at least 30 June this year.
PBS changes for prescription opioids
Changes to regulations on opioid supply in Australia came into effect this week, with new Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings resulting in smaller quantities and restrictions around opioid prescribing for pain treatment.
A cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down
Immortalised in Australian slang, the analgesic phenacetin (used in Bex powder) is wrapped up in the development of the modern pharmaceutical industry and has...
COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations: tips for community pharmacists
The COVID-19 pandemic makes it more important than ever for Australians to access influenza vaccinations and pharmacist immunisers are ready to help protect the community.
New Label 24 to help pharmacists reduce opioid risks
In line with TGA regulatory changes to enhance medicine safety, PSA has developed a cautionary advisory label that warns consumers about the risk of opioid overdose and dependence.
Victorian pharmacists face a second wave of patient anxiety as COVID-19...
While the rest of Australia maintains low rates of COVID-19 infection, 36 suburbs in Victoria will enter lockdown from midnight tonight as case numbers continue to rise.
