Pharmacy Daily | PSA thanks daily heroes, up ticks study

TODAY marks the annual 'Thank Your Pharmacist Day'.

As the peak body representing 36,000 pharmacists practicing across Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is celebrating pharmacists in a range of specialised practices.

This 'Thank Your Pharmacist Day', the PSA has spotlighted some of the Every Day Heroes who work tirelessly to maintain accessible frontline primary care.

Heroes like Brooke Shelly, who visits patients at home to conduct Home Medication Reviews; Brad Butt, founder and lead pharmacist at Mens Health Down Under, a pharmacist-led clinic for male urological issues; Deborah Hawthorne, who teaches patients post-discharge and carers in aged care facilities to understand medicines; and Joe Foster, who supports the health of his regional town in Western Australia daily.

PSA National President Dr Fei Sim (pictured) thanked pharmacists for their tireless work, and encouraged others to do so too.

"Every single pharmacist is a hero," Sim said.

"Thank Your Pharmacist Day is an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate the hard work and dedication of all pharmacists.

"I have spent the last 12 months meeting hundreds of pharmacists from around Australia who all share a passion for healthcare and have dedicated their lives to improving the health of their communities.

"Without pharmacists, healthcare would not be the same, so thank them using #ThankYourPharmacistDay."

Further, the PSA joined pharmacists and researchers from the University of Canberra today to launch the findings of the Pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities (PiRACF) study.

Sim celebrated the release of the PiRACF study final report, which should have a meaningful impact to aged care residents across Australia as the Federal Government begins implementation of the On-site Pharmacists in Aged Care Program from 01 Jul.

The study found that on-site pharmacists in residential aged care facilities (RACF) reduced inappropriate medicine use by 50%, significantly improving patient safety and reducing pressure on aged care nurses and staff.

"PSA is excited to play a significant role in the national roll out of On-site Aged Care Pharmacists this year, and we will continue to work closely with government to advocate for pharmacists in every RACF in Australia," Sim concluded.