Rub shoulders with Kerri Barwick MPS (centre) and other members of team PSA at CPC24[/caption]
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]
The management of acute wounds commonly seen in community pharmacy
Pharmacists can confidently implement wound management principles to identify, assess, manage and know when to refer for specific wounds.
Men’s health: the other gender gap
Pharmacists can help improve health outcomes for men, especially if they use communication skills to draw out those who don’t often visit doctors.
Outstanding pharmacists honoured
The recipients of PSA’s 2021 Excellence Awards may represent different generations, locations and areas of pharmacy practice, but they have one thing in common: a desire to provide the best possible care to the community.
The program transforming regional and rural healthcare
A new program in a NSW Primary Health Network is providing pharmacist consultations to patients in rural and regional communities.
Substance abuse in the elderly
A 61-year-old non-smoking woman was in apparently good physical health. She had no history of drug or alcohol addiction. Her psychiatric history was unremarkable....
Key takeaways from the 2023 NAPSA Congress
The 2023 National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Congress, held from 16–21 January, was chock-full of memorable moments – AP brings you the highlights.
