PHARMACISTS are being urged to pay attention to their health and wellbeing, amid growing cases of substance abuse within the profession.
The issue was raised by Pharmacy Board of Australia Chair, Brett Simmonds, during the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA's) national conference at the weekend.
"We are seeing a significant number of health issues around pharmacists, particularly from substance abuses and things like that, which could possibly result from the extra stress that everyone is under at this time," he said.
"I would really request that pharmacists please do not neglect themselves, their own physical and mental health and wellbeing at this time when we know everyone is under a lot of stress being on the frontline of this pandemic."
While flagging concerns around pharmacists' wellbeing, Simmonds noted that the number of notifications being made against members of the profession were "relatively stable - unlike some of the other health professions that are going up at quite a rapid rate".
"There are a couple of things I would like to highlight," he said.
"Generally speaking labelling issues and minor dispensing issues are decreasing - probably because of the use of swcanners and things like that that are happening now.
"But we're getting increasing numbers of [notifications about] poor communication-related behaviours around interactions with the public.
"We're also seeing an increase in dose administration aid (DAA) errors, which is mainly due to entering data, so can I just suggest to pharmacists who are supplying DAAs to really ensure that they check before they're supplied to their patients."
While noting the issues facing the profession, Simmonds praised pharmacists' performances during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"A large proportion are really performing to a high standard of practice," he said.
"There's only a small number we see in terms of notifications, where their practice falls below the standards.
"So I just want to highlight that everyone is doing a wonderful job and [I] applaud everyone for the work that you're doing at the moment."
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