LANG Lang Pharmacy east of Melbourne became the centre of attention yesterday when Health Minister Greg Hunt dropped by to discuss the Pain MedsCheck trial with pharmacy owner Tian Low.
Hunt was sporting a day-glo vest because he was passing by doing part of a 500km Walk for Autism through his electorate of Flinders.
Hunt used the occasion to highlight the commencement of the Chronic Pain MedsCheck Trial being conducted at more than 1,600 pharmacies across Australia.
Pharmacy Guild National President George Tambassis noted GuildLink's new Chronic Pain MedsCheck Trial Software which will be used to record trial services at participating community pharmacies which have completed the required training.
Through the service, pharmacists will give advice around chronic pain management and evaluate patients' medicine regimen, he said, creating an action plan involving education, self-management and follow-up.
Guild Vic Branch President Anthony Tassone was also in attendance, and said the trial would be another opportunity for community pharmacy to demonstrate its ever-important role in primary care.
"Community pharmacists as medicines experts are perfectly placed to help patients improve their understanding of medications used in pain management and help patients form realistic expectations of the benefits that analgesics can provide, as well as refer to other healthcare professionals where appropriate," Tassone said.
During the Minister's visit to the pharmacy other topics of discussion included other primary health care initiatives such as the My Health Record and Real Time Prescription Monitoring.
Pictured above from left are Lang Lang Pharmacy owner Tian Low, Guild Vic President Anthony Tassone, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Guild National President George Tambassis.
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