The use of insulin, considered a high-risk medication with APINCHs classification,5 Ms Barwick notes, provides justification for a Home Medicines Review (HMR). ‘There’s an advantage to going into the home to observe the patient’s diet, consider potential interactions, and educate patients on the best effects and outcomes,’ she says.
Advice around cleaning blood glucose level (BGL) monitors to ensure accuracy can also be provided. ‘Pharmacists can explain how to put test drops through and clean blood spills on the monitor, common in pregnancy due to higher blood volume,’ says Ms Barwick.
With only 50% of women diagnosed with GDM receiving tests for heart disease and type 2 diabetes post-pregnancy,6 HMRs can be beneficial at this stage of the journey, too.
‘Along with conversations around diet choices, exercise regimes and sleep, I also explain how often testing is required over the next 5–10 years, and how to monitor for signs of the development of diabetes,’ Ms Barwick advises.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
The presence of iron in pregnancy multivitamins may exacerbate symptoms of nausea and vomiting in some pregnancies, according to Ms Barwick.
‘Pharmacists can recommend a trial cessation of the iron component of pregnancy vitamins, often unnecessary in pregnancy,’ she says.
In 2020, photographer Bobbi Lockyer created a Birthing on Country project to highlight and create awareness around birthing issues and outcomes in Aboriginal women. For more, see 
Suzanne Nielsen MPS[/caption]
More than 150 COVID-safe pharmacists gathered in Manly in Sydney last weekend (13–14 March) for 2 days of professional and personal development at PSA’s 2021 NSW/ACT Annual Therapeutic Update.
For many, it was the first chance to network with colleagues face-to-face in 12 months, with a program that included NSW’s top health officials and some of the pharmacy profession’s best and brightest.
The event began with the unveiling of PSA’s new Medicine safety: rural and remote care report, launched by NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard, who acknowledged the tough year all health workers, including pharmacists, had experienced.
‘We had bushfires, we had drought and of course we had COVID,’ he said.
‘The period of drought, when so many rural people were feeling despondent, thank you to pharmacists for taking that on. Not just the pharmaceutical and technical, medicinal support, but also psychological.
‘And in COVID, we were all knocked around … but you all rose to it, and I want to thank you for that.’
Pharmacist and federal shadow assistant minister for mental health and carers Emma McBride MPS also praised pharmacists for their efforts.
‘I’d like to thank each and every pharmacist … you have been critical in our national response to COVID-19,’ she said during a panel session.
‘Pharmacists have so much more to contribute if we were recognised and remunerated.’
Program highlights
One of the most anticipated presentations was from New South Wales Chief Health Officer (and recently named NSW Woman of the Year) Dr Kerry Chant, who provided insights into the state’s COVID-19 response.
This included lessons learnt from the pandemic, such as how workforce gaps and infection control resulted in changes to practice that will continue after COVID-19.
In another session, one of Australia’s first advanced practice pharmacists, former PSA National President and CEO Dr Shane Jackson gave the audience insights into administering medicine by injection, including correct procedures and how to provide a medicine administration service to a range of consumers.
“#pharmacists were elevated in their role as a result of #covid”@ShaneJacks. We now need to promote what pharmacists do to all stakeholders so we continue to be valued @PSA_National #PSA21ATU pic.twitter.com/owK73E5iaT
— Anna Barwick MPS (@IndispensablePh) March 13, 2021
Another program highlight was the International Women’s Day breakfast hosted by PSA’s Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) Group, with a panel including RACGP NSW and ACT Chair Charlotte Hespe, Ms McBride, rural pharmacist Karen Carter FPS and NSW 2020 ECP of the Year Jennifer Culverson.
All the women 💜💜💜 @PSA_National @PSA_NSW @PSA_ACT_Branch @ChelseaFelkai Emma McBride MP, Dr Kerry Chant, Ellen Jones pic.twitter.com/FFMEgBegya
— Renae Beardmore (@RenaeBeardmore) March 14, 2021
Awards announced
After opening with the report launch, day 1 of the conference closed on a high, with the NSW Pharmacists Awards evening.
New England pharmacist and academic Anna Barwick MPS received the NSW Pharmacist of the Year award, while NSW Branch Committee member and Chair of the NSW ECP working group Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin MPS, won the NSW PSA Early Career Pharmacist award.
And the NSW Intern of the Year Award was given to Bridgette Mackley MPS, who interned at Wollongong Hospital and continues to work as a hospital pharmacist in the Illawarra area of NSW while she represents her state on PSA’s National ECP Group.
Congratulations to our NSW Intern of the year, Bridgette Mackley, NSW ECP of the year, Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin and NSW Pharmacist of the Year, Anna Barwick @IndispensablePh @PSA_National @PSA_NSW pic.twitter.com/3Co67zV2uF
— Simone Diamandis (@PSA_NSW) March 13, 2021
Presenting the awards, NSW PSA President Chelsea Felkai MPS said the winners highlighted the vital role of pharmacists across different practice settings and locations.
‘Pharmacists are often the first point of contact on medical and medicinal issues for the public, and this conference and these awards serve to bring our profession together to ensure we are delivering best possible service delivery to our communities,’ she said.
She said Ms Barwick, a former NSW Branch Committee member, had led work in telehealth and improving communications between pharmacists and the general community in the rural region where Ms Barwick lectures in pharmacy practice at the University of New England. Her pioneering work in this field led to the formation of PharmOnline, a 24/7 medicines telehealth advisory service.
Dr Dineen-Griffin, also Vice-President of the Next Generation Pharmacy Committee of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), has led research into pharmacists providing non-urgent care, minor ailment services and self-care.
Don’t miss the Queensland Annual Therapeutic Update this weekend (20–21 March) at QT Gold Coast.
