PSA accelerates its vision

THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has pledged to deliver significant change for the pharmacy profession within five years, with the unveiling of the organisation’s new Pharmacists in 2023 discussion paper on Fri (PD breaking news).

Jackson said that initially PSA had envisaged a ten year plan, but “overwhelming feedback from members and the wider profession showed more urgent change is needed for pharmacists to retain their best and brightest, and be truly regarded as medicines experts”.

Jackson released the paper at the PSA conference in Sydney following an opening address via video by Health Minister Greg Hunt.

The PSA national president said the plan aimed to empower the pharmacy workforce across healthcare, ensuring pharmacists are embedded wherever medicines are used, equipped with skills and opportunities to enhance community access to health services, and enabled through “appropriate recognition and remuneration”.

Belinda Wood, PSA Policy & Advocacy manager, said the document was based on feedback from pharmacists and consumers, as well as incorporating insights from international developments.

“Pharmacists in 2023 highlights the need for pharmacists to transition to a consultation-based, patient-centric and collaborative model of care, where they take responsibility and accountability for medicines management,” she said.

Wood said PSA’s vision was for pharmacists to deliver services tailored to consumer need, at the right time, in the right setting and with the right skill set.

“By 2023, pharmacists will be more highly valued and their role optimised... they will practise to full scope, operate as normative members of the health team and receive more appropriate rewards and recognition,” she promised.

The views of PSA members, consumers and key stakeholders to inform the delivery of an action plan by the end of the year are being sought, with submissions invited by Fri 07 Sep 2018.

The vision paper can be viewed online now at psa.org.au.