ANTICIPATING the needs of community pharmacies around Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) have collaborated under Federal Government funding to develop resources in preparation for the 01 Feb 2018 transition of medicines containing codeine becoming Prescription Only.
"The Guild and PSA are committed to ensuring that rigorous, safe and patient-focused solutions are in place to enable this change, which will affect an estimated one million patients in 2018," the two organisations said in a joint statement.
The package of materials is designed to support pharmacists and consumers, reflecting a "whole-of-pharmacy approach to ensure the entire pharmacy sector is prepared for the change."
The Guild and PSA have also developed specialised online training modules and tools for pharmacists and pharmacy staff to ensure a smooth transition.
The materials being provided to pharmacies include a fact sheet on what a pharmacist needs to know, a pharmacy check list to prepare for the 01 Feb 2018 upscheduling, a counter card to encourage consumers to talk to their pharmacists about pain management, Self Care Fact Cards for pharmacists to use with patients and a flow-chart to help pharmacists and pharmacy staff provide advice and referrals to patients.
The package also contains template letters of referral and seeking assistance communicating the changes to patients for pharmacists to send to other local health professionals.
The Guild and PSA thanked the Federal Government for providing funding for these training and support materials.
Pictured above at a recent PSA board meeting in Canberra are, from left: Dr Lance Emerson and Dr Shane Jackson of the PSA together with the Guild's George Tambassis and David Quilty.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 20 Oct 17
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