Home - Australian Pharmacist

Aged care innovator is PSA’s 2021 ECP of the Year

Ruth Cooper - 24 September 2021

Aged care innovator Maria Berbecaru MPS is the 2021 Symbion PSA ECP of the year

People

Just 3 years out of university, Maria Berbecaru MPS made history by implementing an Australian-first aged care pharmacy service. She hopes her experience will inspire others and help make embedding pharmacists in aged care the norm.

COVID-19: Finish line or first lap?

Linda Doherty and Jennifer Cooke - 10 November 2021

Industry

As Australia reaches vaccine targets, what’s next for pharmacists and Australians?

The effectiveness of probiotics for the treatment of eczema

Dr Hanan Khalil - 28 February 2019

Clinical

Eczema affects up to 20% of children. Almost half of these patients develop eczema by the age of six months and most of them...

Steps towards reconciliation and cultural safety

Chloe Hava - 31 May 2023

Industry

How pharmacists can contribute to reconciliation and healthcare equity by broadening their understanding of cultural safety.

High-dose antipsychotic therapy: does it have a role?

A/Prof Juanita Breen - 11 November 2023

CPD

A high proportion of people prescribed antipsychotic polypharmacy are also taking high-dose antipsychotic therapy.

The stoic pharmacist

Jennifer Cooke - 7 June 2024

People

When not compounding melatonin liquid and ketamine lozenges, Warrnambool pharmacist Haowei Wong MPS finds solace in reading philosophy.

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8.00 am	Set up and check in IVF work fluctuates – some days it’s minimal, other days it’s constant. I check what’s booked/expected, confirm any urgent needs, and make sure there’s space for IVF stock.
9.00 am	Ordering and supply planning Weekly ordering is done on Monday mornings and reviewed again on Wednesday because we can’t reliably order later in the week. This helps to protect continuity.
10:30 am	Dispensary coordination My dispensary manager leads ordering of IVF medicines, support materials and consumables. She also prepares syringe/needle packs for medicines that require separate consumable supply, so patients receive everything together.
12.00 pm	Clinic liaison Phone or email contact with IVF nurses occurs most days to clarify prescriptions, confirm timing and align supply with treatment cycles.
2.00 pm	Prescription collection Our courier collects prescriptions from fertility clinics weekly, as not all clinics use e-scripts. These are processed promptly to avoid delays that could affect treatment timing.
3.30 pm	Patient support IVF supply often includes practical support: ensuring patients have what they need for transport and storage, and that any supporting materials and consumables are ready alongside the medicines.
6.00 pm	Engagement and training Some evenings may include a Fertility Nurses of Australia meeting, or delivering training sessions for fertility clinics for IVF clinicians and nurses.
8.00 pm	Urgent supply Occasionally I’ll get an out-of-hours call from an IVF clinician to arrange emergency medicines supply, requiring rapid coordination to keep treatment on track.

8.00 am	Set up and check in IVF work fluctuates – some days it’s minimal, other days it’s constant. I check what’s booked/expected, confirm any urgent needs, and make sure there’s space for IVF stock.
9.00 am	Ordering and supply planning Weekly ordering is done on Monday mornings and reviewed again on Wednesday because we can’t reliably order later in the week. This helps to protect continuity.
10:30 am	Dispensary coordination My dispensary manager leads ordering of IVF medicines, support materials and consumables. She also prepares syringe/needle packs for medicines that require separate consumable supply, so patients receive everything together.
12.00 pm	Clinic liaison Phone or email contact with IVF nurses occurs most days to clarify prescriptions, confirm timing and align supply with treatment cycles.
2.00 pm	Prescription collection Our courier collects prescriptions from fertility clinics weekly, as not all clinics use e-scripts. These are processed promptly to avoid delays that could affect treatment timing.
3.30 pm	Patient support IVF supply often includes practical support: ensuring patients have what they need for transport and storage, and that any supporting materials and consumables are ready alongside the medicines.
6.00 pm	Engagement and training Some evenings may include a Fertility Nurses of Australia meeting, or delivering training sessions for fertility clinics for IVF clinicians and nurses.
8.00 pm	Urgent supply Occasionally I’ll get an out-of-hours call from an IVF clinician to arrange emergency medicines supply, requiring rapid coordination to keep treatment on track.

8.00 am	Set up and check in IVF work fluctuates – some days it’s minimal, other days it’s constant. I check what’s booked/expected, confirm any urgent needs, and make sure there’s space for IVF stock.
9.00 am	Ordering and supply planning Weekly ordering is done on Monday mornings and reviewed again on Wednesday because we can’t reliably order later in the week. This helps to protect continuity.
10:30 am	Dispensary coordination My dispensary manager leads ordering of IVF medicines, support materials and consumables. She also prepares syringe/needle packs for medicines that require separate consumable supply, so patients receive everything together.
12.00 pm	Clinic liaison Phone or email contact with IVF nurses occurs most days to clarify prescriptions, confirm timing and align supply with treatment cycles.
2.00 pm	Prescription collection Our courier collects prescriptions from fertility clinics weekly, as not all clinics use e-scripts. These are processed promptly to avoid delays that could affect treatment timing.
3.30 pm	Patient support IVF supply often includes practical support: ensuring patients have what they need for transport and storage, and that any supporting materials and consumables are ready alongside the medicines.
6.00 pm	Engagement and training Some evenings may include a Fertility Nurses of Australia meeting, or delivering training sessions for fertility clinics for IVF clinicians and nurses.
8.00 pm	Urgent supply Occasionally I’ll get an out-of-hours call from an IVF clinician to arrange emergency medicines supply, requiring rapid coordination to keep treatment on track.

8.00 am	Set up and check in IVF work fluctuates – some days it’s minimal, other days it’s constant. I check what’s booked/expected, confirm any urgent needs, and make sure there’s space for IVF stock.
9.00 am	Ordering and supply planning Weekly ordering is done on Monday mornings and reviewed again on Wednesday because we can’t reliably order later in the week. This helps to protect continuity.
10:30 am	Dispensary coordination My dispensary manager leads ordering of IVF medicines, support materials and consumables. She also prepares syringe/needle packs for medicines that require separate consumable supply, so patients receive everything together.
12.00 pm	Clinic liaison Phone or email contact with IVF nurses occurs most days to clarify prescriptions, confirm timing and align supply with treatment cycles.
2.00 pm	Prescription collection Our courier collects prescriptions from fertility clinics weekly, as not all clinics use e-scripts. These are processed promptly to avoid delays that could affect treatment timing.
3.30 pm	Patient support IVF supply often includes practical support: ensuring patients have what they need for transport and storage, and that any supporting materials and consumables are ready alongside the medicines.
6.00 pm	Engagement and training Some evenings may include a Fertility Nurses of Australia meeting, or delivering training sessions for fertility clinics for IVF clinicians and nurses.
8.00 pm	Urgent supply Occasionally I’ll get an out-of-hours call from an IVF clinician to arrange emergency medicines supply, requiring rapid coordination to keep treatment on track.

Knocking on doors

A workforce running on goodwill

The cost of saying no

Let pharmacists do what they are trained to do

Reform that matches need with value

How did you specialise in assisted reproductive therapy?

What does the role entail?

How do you help patients navigate their medicines regimen?

How do you manage medicines storage, cold-chain and supply?

How do you collaborate with fertility clinics, prescribers and nurses?

What advice do you have for ECPs keen on specialising in this area?

A Day in the life of Morag Horton, community pharmacy owner, Adelaide, South Australia

Compliance is key

Dispensing psychedelics safely

Managing patient enquiries

How does the nasal spray differ from EpiPen?

Can it be placed in a resuscitation kit?

Who is the nasal spray best suited to?

What should pharmacists know about its use?

Who is most likely to experience adverse effects?

Who might find it hard to use the nasal spray?

Could adrenaline nasal spray (neffy) be downscheduled?

How much does it cost?

Will the nasal spray be PBS listed?

Where can I find more information?

Bridging the gap when CBT is delayed

Checking duration against intention

Monitoring efficacy and tolerability

Knocking on doors

A workforce running on goodwill

The cost of saying no

Let pharmacists do what they are trained to do

Reform that matches need with value

How did you specialise in assisted reproductive therapy?

What does the role entail?

How do you help patients navigate their medicines regimen?

How do you manage medicines storage, cold-chain and supply?

How do you collaborate with fertility clinics, prescribers and nurses?

What advice do you have for ECPs keen on specialising in this area?

A Day in the life of Morag Horton, community pharmacy owner, Adelaide, South Australia

Compliance is key

Dispensing psychedelics safely

Managing patient enquiries

How does the nasal spray differ from EpiPen?

Can it be placed in a resuscitation kit?

Who is the nasal spray best suited to?

What should pharmacists know about its use?

Who is most likely to experience adverse effects?

Who might find it hard to use the nasal spray?

Could adrenaline nasal spray (neffy) be downscheduled?

How much does it cost?

Will the nasal spray be PBS listed?

Where can I find more information?

Bridging the gap when CBT is delayed

Checking duration against intention

Monitoring efficacy and tolerability

Knocking on doors

A workforce running on goodwill

The cost of saying no

Let pharmacists do what they are trained to do

Reform that matches need with value

How did you specialise in assisted reproductive therapy?

What does the role entail?

How do you help patients navigate their medicines regimen?

How do you manage medicines storage, cold-chain and supply?

How do you collaborate with fertility clinics, prescribers and nurses?

What advice do you have for ECPs keen on specialising in this area?

A Day in the life of Morag Horton, community pharmacy owner, Adelaide, South Australia

Compliance is key

Dispensing psychedelics safely

Managing patient enquiries

How does the nasal spray differ from EpiPen?

Can it be placed in a resuscitation kit?

Who is the nasal spray best suited to?

What should pharmacists know about its use?

Who is most likely to experience adverse effects?

Who might find it hard to use the nasal spray?

Could adrenaline nasal spray (neffy) be downscheduled?

How much does it cost?

Will the nasal spray be PBS listed?