Peter Tenni MPS[/caption]
Sam Kosari MPS[/caption]
Dr Stephen Carter FPS[/caption]
‘Some pharmacies who discounted did ok, whereas some who focused on high service didn’t do as well as others,’ Dr Carter told Australian Pharmacist.
The crucial factors were perceived technical and people skills, said Dr Carter, who himself owned a pharmacy in Milton, New South Wales, for nearly 30 years.
‘Pharmacists speaking with customers about prescription and non-prescription medicines and appearing technically competent seemed to improve medication adherence,’ he said. ‘This is what we expected.
‘People also valued having a relationship with the pharmacy and its staff, and being in a comfortable environment that was easy to navigate and where conversations could be had in private.’
Other positives for patients included feeling noticed by staff and being assisted with their ‘overall health needs’.
Dimitra Tsucalas FPS[/caption]
‘This was less efficient and timely for the patients but intended to avoid viral spread,’ she told AP.
Also, ‘Royal Melbourne Hospital was supplying medicines to people for irregular requirements or who didn’t have a regular pharmacy,’ she thought.
Despite some confusion around numerous legislative changes and their convoluted wording, ‘PSA and other pharmacy organisations have been excellent in keeping their members informed during the COVID situation,’ Ms Tsucalas said.
At Acher Pharmacy in Flemington, Quoc Sam MPS is finding the situation stressful. He told AP that patient demand for extra supplies had exacerbated the issue of stock shortages, including flu vaccine orders and backorders that never seem to come.
His pharmacy services several aged care facilities. This has been manageable in terms of supply, but time consuming because of the extra processes needed.
In general however, ‘communication is reasonably clear to provide direction to pharmacists although it was a bit sketchy at first,’ he said.
Mr Sam was philosophical that as healthcare workers, pharmacists need to face the challenges whatever they are, and do their jobs.
Cameron Walls MPS[/caption]
Cameron Walls MPS, Pharmacist Manager at United Chemists Wodonga near the New South Wales (NSW) border, said he felt there had been no consultation with local pharmacists. Communication had been ‘appalling’, he said, citing mixed messages around digital image prescriptions and no prior communication about the need to wear masks.
Melbourne has had the mask requirement for weeks, so stock is still unavailable for regional pharmacies.
‘We’re not being given the information we need,’ he told AP. ‘The rules are confusing.’
And the border closure is problematic, with many services now inaccessible and pharmacy staff coming from NSW taking up to an hour and a half to make a 15-minute journey.
‘All these issues are adding to the stress and pressure on our staff and customers,’ Mr Walls said.
The three pharmacists would like to see PPE provided routinely, without specific requests. As Mr Walls explained, ‘we have had to source and supply all of our PPE, hand sanitiser, sneeze guards, etc, at great cost to the business.’
Pharmacist and President of Chronic Pain Australia Jarrod McMaugh MPS[/caption]
Mr McMaugh said the opioid supply changes, which came into effect last month, had caused patients to feel they were being questioned more about pain medicines, or not getting the same access to prescribed medicines.
PSA has developed a new 
Dr Janet Sluggett MPS (Image: UniSA)[/caption]
Other principles include improvement in health and medication literacy, inclusion of frail older people in clinical trials, and provision of undergraduate and postgraduate education on frailty. See the full list 
Pene Wood MPS (Image: La Trobe University)[/caption]
Tighter regulation was one of the measures recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to reduce harm associated with opioid use. Education and awareness campaigns will be phased in over the next two years.1
It comes in response to increasing numbers of deaths involving opioids in Australia. From 2007 to 2016, the number of deaths due to opioids nearly doubled, from 591 to 1,119 per year. Most deaths were due to prescription opioids rather than illicit opioids such as heroin.2
Suzanne Nielsen MPS (Image: Monash University)[/caption]
‘I think it is important how you have this conversation and the terminology you use, i.e. opioid toxicity instead of overdose. These medicines can be dangerous and need to be treated with care.’
A/Prof Nielsen said pharmacists need to support patients through these changes, particularly where new requirements, such as needing a second opinion, introduce new barriers to care.
She echoed the importance of education around opioid safety and keeping naloxone in the home.
‘It is an easily implementable strategy to raise awareness of risks and prevent opioid-related mortality among people prescribed opioids for chronic pain,’ A/Prof Nielsen said.
Community pharmacist Jenny Tam MPS, from Chermside Shopping Centre Pharmacy in Brisbane, is being more vigilant with opioid prescriptions this week, but thinks the changes are a good thing.
When dispensing large packs of opioids, she wonders what quantities people have stored in their homes. She would also welcome education on the place of naloxone so she could feel more comfortable recommending it to people prescribed opioids.
References
This article was independently produced with support from Roche.[/caption]
References: Aust Govt Dept of Health, CDC[/caption]
Thomas Duong won the People’s Choice award[/caption]
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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
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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.
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.
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...
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.
