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]
Dr Rosie Nash is on a mission to improve health literacy
Health literacy is key to every conversation pharmacists have with their patients, says Dr Rosie Nash MPS, a pharmacist who is channelling her 18 years of experience into community education.
Have your voice heard with PSA’s Communities of Specialty Interest
Pharmacists across the country have a new way to connect, collaborate and drive the profession forward, with the launch of PSA’s Communities of Specialty Interest (CSIs).
Major update to asthma management guidelines
The National Asthma Council Australia announced a significant update to the Australian Asthma Handbook earlier this month. Known as Handbook version 2.0, it will...
Queensland pharmacist of the year shows leadership in crisis
Bridget Totterman MPS is a master behind the scenes, helping pharmacists deliver a seamless service to patients and improving access to medicines in challenging times.
Workplace-based assessment for intern pharmacists
Workplace-based education provides the opportunity for interns to put theory into practice while under the guidance of an experienced pharmacist.
Could domestic manufacturing fix our medicine shortage problems?
With medicine shortages set to be an issue for the foreseeable future, local medicines manufacturing could be the way forward.
