Pharmacy Daily | There are heroes in our midst: Guild

HERCULEAN efforts by pharmacists in bushfire-affected regions highlight the selflessness of many working within the pharmacy sector, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis (pictured), believes.

In a message to Guild members, Tambassis expressed his pride in hearing stories of pharmacists who have gone "above and beyond to help people and maintain front line services" in the face of numerous challenges.

"We have seen urgent medicine supplies delivered by boat, air ambulance, naval vessels, military helicopters, private vehicles under police escort and jet skis where necessary," he said.

"Mainstream news outlets have covered the courage and strength of a pharmacist owner in Malua Bay NSW who has opened his pharmacy and served patients despite losing his home to the fires.

"And the pharmacist in Narooma NSW who spent three days working with a doctor in an evacuation centre to maintain medicine supplies to patients while her own home was under threat.

"And I know there are countless other efforts, putting patient needs first, that have not been reported.

"Pharmacists, pharmacy staff, Guild Branches and wholesalers have worked together to solve seemingly insurmountable hurdles to get medicines to patients.

"There are heroes in our midst. My sincere thanks to all."

Tambassis told members the widespread nature of the bushfire disaster - with the NSW Government declaring a State of Emergency and the Victorian Government declaring a State of Disaster - highlighted the need to expand and streamline the provisions under which pharmacists can dispense essential medicines during and in the immediate aftermath of crisis situations.

"As the recovery efforts from these catastrophic bushfires commence in the coming days, weeks and months, we will be focusing our efforts on achieving this objective which we have advocated for many years," he said.

"Our objectives in relation to emergency supply can be summarised thus:

An expansion of Emergency Supply provisions in all States and Territories to enable urgent supply of the smallest available manufacturer pack in the absence of a prescription; and

An expansion of Continued Dispensing by the Commonwealth to allow urgent supply of all pharmaceutical benefits for long-term health conditions, including extraordinary provisions to cover support during and following a natural disaster."

Tambassis urged members affected by the fires to contact their local branch if they have "any needs or concerns - be it medicine supply, financial pressure, clinical query or workplace-related".

"We want to help," he said.

The Guild has urged members looking to help those in bushfire-affected regions to make cash contributions to their local fire brigade, the Australian Red Cross, the Fallen Firefighters Fund or the St Vincent De Paul Society Bushfire Appeal.