Home - Australian Pharmacist

Ancient seed, Hippocrates and the TGA have what in common? Myrrh

Dr Leigh Dayton - 7 February 2025

Clinical

Courtesy of Hippocrates and the Roman army, this ancient gum resin went global.

Messages from the Medicine Safety Forum

Ruth Cooper - 11 December 2019

Industry

As the custodians of medicine safety, promoting the judicious, quality and safe use of medicines is key to pharmacists’ roles. But it is also...

Pharmacist vaccinations: ‘there needs to be a sustainable model’

Ruth Cooper - 27 April 2022

Okhan Atasoy MPS vaccinating a fellow intern

Industry

From COVID-19 to influenza, pharmacists help to protect millions of Australians through vaccination services. But a lack of funding and access could have ‘dire consequences’ for the nation.

Sarsaparilla: show but limited go

Dr Leigh Dayton - 3 August 2022

Vintage silver sarsaparilla cup and saucer with floral design.

Clinical

It comes in teas, tablets, tinctures, and capsules, and may only look good. In colonial Australia sarsaparilla was a hit. Like their American counterparts the...

PSA welcomes the Pharmacy Guild’s new Executive Director

Ruth Cooper - 4 July 2019

Industry

Suzanne Greenwood, a leader in the not-for-profit hospital and aged care service sectors, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Pharmacy...

Frankincense: scent & sound of season but promises more

Dr Leigh Dayton - 12 December 2022

Monochrome illustration of three kings, representing the historical and cultural context of frankincense used in seasonal rituals and aromatherapy

Clinical

Beyond the laboratory, frankincense is used primarily to manufacture incense and lozenges, however aromatherapy is one of the big sellers.

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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?