INNOVATION and creativity were in the spotlight at last week's annual PSA24 conference, where clever devices like a needle-less hepatitis screening tool and an AI-powered diabetes platform were showcased during the Pharmacy Shark Tank session.
During the afternoon, four start-ups pitched their products in front of a live audience and four Shark Tank judges, who each had $3,000 to invest.
The Sharks were Bridget Totterman, PSA National Board Director; David Lai, Trade Marketing and Category Manager at Viatris; Nick Foster, CFO at PSA.
Start-ups included Hepatitis WA, Aarian Health, which is focused on diabetes solutions for patients, as well as Cinch Pharmacy, which has created a video communication platform for pharmacists.
Dr Adrian Sheen (pictured) also demonstrated his invention, the Widdleometer, an internationally-patented device that tracks slow urine flow in older men from the privacy of their own homes (PD 26 Oct 2023).
"Merv was a patient of mine who died unnecessarily," Dr Sheen said.
"He had a blockage to his urine system caused by a large prostate, but he took no action about it and did what most men do - he preferred to live in denial.
"Now the solution to the problem is the Widdleometer," Dr Sheen said.
Hepatitis WA, Cinch Pharmacy and Widdleometer all received investment from the judges, but it was Hepatitis WA's blood screening project that also took out the People's Choice Award and won an additional $1,000 investment.
"Australia has signed on to the global target for eliminating viral hepatitis, which is Hepatitis B and C by the year 2030," commented Hepatitis WA CEO Brent Bell during his presentation.
"In order to do that, we need to find better ways to screen the community," he added.
In partnership with Pharmacy 777 Applecross, Hepatitis WA has developed a needle-less tool to help pharmacists screen patients for hepatitis within their stores.
By using the new tool, patients can self-collect up to 800ml of blood while being supported by their pharmacist.
A pathology lab courier picks up the sample and takes it to the team at Hepatitis WA, where a GP reviews the results and communicates them with the pharmacist, who then discusses them with the patient and connects them with treatment.
Foster congratulated all of the entrepreneurs for their efforts on the day.
"I've been doing the Pharmacy Shark Tank now for three years and I'm just absolutely gobsmacked by the innovation that I've seen in all the ideas that have come through and I want to give that credit to everyone today," he said. JHM
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