Available now for public access through both AdPha and RACGP, the Resource Kit
comprises three resources to support clear, accurate and timely communication as
patients transition through care providers:

1. Practice Update: Medication Management at Transitions of Care clearly defines
the role of the hospital pharmacist, general practice pharmacist (GPP), and the
general practitioner (GP) in delivering safe and quality medication management
services to their patients transitioning between acute and primary care.

2. Resource for healthcare professionals: Safe Medication Management at
Transitions of Care supports healthcare professionals in ensuring safe and
effective medication management during patient transitions between care
settings.

3. Resources for consumers: Medication safety when moving between the
community and hospital helps consumers manage their medicines safely when
moving between home and hospital.

The Transitions of Care resources are now available at the following:
– Medication Management at Transitions of Care Resource Kit (AdPha)
– Medication Management at Transitions of Care Resource Kit (RACGP)

The post Doctors and pharmacists unite to improve care transitions appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Announced yesterday, this is the largest investment in Medicare since its inception 40
years ago. By expanding the bulk billing incentive to all Australians, the reform will
significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for GP visits.

AdPha President Tom Simpson says the investment will help limit unnecessary emergency
department visits but urges further action to improve medicine affordability.

‘Seeing a GP is a crucial first step in any patient’s healthcare journey.

‘When that step is skipped, patients often end up in emergency departments
unnecessarily, straining hospital resources and limiting access for those who need
urgent care.

‘Each year, 400,000 Australians visit emergency departments for conditions that could
often be prevented through regular GP visits and proper medication management.

‘Expanding bulk billing is a great step forward, but if we don’t also address the cost of
medicines, more Australians will continue to end up in hospitals unnecessarily.

‘Currently, 250,000 Australians are admitted to hospitals each year due to
medication-related issues, some of which can be linked to the cost of medicines.

‘We applaud the government for making it easier for Australians to visit their GP
without relying on their credit card. But if we truly want to reduce hospital admissions,people shouldn’t also have to worry about their bank balance when purchasing
essential medicines.’ says Mr Simpson

The post AdPha welcomes historic Medicare investment appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) welcomes the Albanese Labor Government’s $573.3 million funding package to provide women with more choice, lower costs and better health care.

Announced on 9 February, the new package of measures incorporates key recommendations from AdPha, shaped by the expertise and insights of its members.

AdPha President Tom Simpson praised the government for listening to patients and health care stakeholders, including the valuable contributions of AdPha Women’s and Newborn Health Specialty Practice members, to take action on expanding care and access in women’s health.

“AdPha members welcome these long-awaited measures, which will help remove barriers that have prevented women from accessing affordable health care for too long,” Mr Simpson said.

“We have strongly advocated for a comprehensive approach to managing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms – focusing on awareness, education, and access to affordable, evidence-based treatments.

“We are pleased to see many of our recommendations, put forward during the Senate Inquiry and through our submission, reflected in this new package of measures,” he said.

“A/Prof McGuire from our Women’s and Newborn Health Committee specifically mentioned in her evidence that it had been over 20 years since any new medicines for menopause had been listed on the PBS, and these new listings will ensure that menopause hormonal therapies remain both affordable and accessible,” Mr Simpson said.

“Currently, over 85% of women experiencing bothersome symptoms of menopause or perimenopause are not receiving evidence-based care, despite the availability of both hormonal and non-hormonal therapies. With treatment options declining in recent years, we hope these reforms will reverse that trend.

“It is also great to see new contraceptives listed on the PBS for the first time in over 30 years, reflecting and subsidising contemporary treatment options that are used by many Australian women,” he said.

“We thank the government for prioritising women’s health and recognising the invaluable role of pharmacists in advocating for and supporting women’s health care needs.

“As this expands to including the provision of contraceptives and anti-microbials for uncomplicated UTIs at PBS co-payment prices for concession card holders by pharmacists – in direct support of our first recommendation of our Federal Budget submission – we look forward to enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration between doctors and pharmacists as we achieve patient-centred care,” Mr Simpson said.

“As medicines experts across all stages of reproductive health – from pregnancy, labour, and lactation to menopause and beyond – pharmacists are well-positioned to support women through these changes. With these new measures, we can play an even greater role in ensuring women receive safe, appropriate, and efficient care.”

The post AdPha applauds long overdue investment in women’s health appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

As part of its 2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission, AdPha has proposed:

• A dedicated Medicine Shortages and Discontinuation Clinical Advice Service.
• Bilateral Pharmaceutical Reform Agreements (PRAs) with NSW and ACT for equitable medicine access.
• A Partnered Pharmacist Medication Prescribing (PPMP) collaborative care model pilot in aged care and general practice.

The submission includes 9 recommendations focused on scope of practice, workforce sustainability and medicine access.

It presents a cost-effective strategy to enhance Australia’s healthcare system.

AdPha is urging the government to remove barriers to full scope of practice and expand the PPMP model, which has already proven successful in hospitals.

The proposed expansion would integrate pharmacist prescribing into aged care and general practice settings, while also allowing pharmacists to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) within collaborative care models.

‘Pharmacist prescribing a natural extension of collaborative care’

AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says these initiatives would improve patient outcomes, optimise the skills of the primary care workforce and reduce costs.

“PPMP improves timelines, safety and quality of medicines management for patients, while at the same time supporting capacity for doctors and nurses,” he says.

“Pharmacist prescribing is a natural extension of collaborative care models further facilitating safe and timely access to subsidised medicines.

“AdPha has long championed PPMP as a proven model that reduces medication errors and patient length of stay.

“As it expands beyond hospital walls, its positive impact will only continue to grow.

“This recommendation is the essence of advanced pharmacy — taking the evidence-based approach of hospital pharmacy into all areas where medicines are needed to improve the health outcomes of patients everywhere.”

Harnessing underutilised skills of pharmacy technicians

AdPha is also calling for funding to harness the underutilised skills of pharmacy technicians as one of several recommendations to build a stronger and more sustainable pharmacy workforce.

“AdPha urges a growth environment for technicians who are integral to interdisciplinary care teams,” says Mr Simpson.

“We have recently developed the first Australasian Competency Standards Framework for Technicians working in hospitals and health systems, in order to provide a standardised approach for these crucial health professionals.

“As part of our submission, we are calling on the government to fund technician sector-specific training and resources to ensure this vital area of our workforce is recognised and supported to practice to their full scope, consistently, appropriately and safely.”

‘Nationally-consistent approach to the PBS long overdue’

With medicines access and shortages ongoing areas of concern, AdPha is also calling on the government to establish agreements with NSW and the ACT to achieve timely and equitable access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

AdPha is also calling for a Medicine Shortages and Discontinuations Clinical Advice Service to equip healthcare practitioners with real-time updates, expert guidance, and evidence-based solutions.

Mr Simpson says a nationally-consistent approach to the PBS is long overdue while a medicines shortages service will help reduce unnecessary strain placed on already overstretched emergency services and hospital resources.

“For years now, AdPha has been advocating that the Commonwealth extends the same access to the PBS to patients of hospitals in NSW and the ACT as patients in every other Australian jurisdiction,” he says.

“Prioritising this initiative will help safeguard the quality of healthcare delivery, reduce distress for both patients and practitioners, and create a more equitable and efficient healthcare system for all Australians.”

For more information, visit: AdPha 2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission.

The post AdPha pushes for expanded pharmacist role and medicine access appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Announced Friday morning by the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, the agreement will support the health and wellbeing of Australians through medication management reviews, First Nations programs, and rural workforce and training programs, and follow an independent review into the cost-effectiveness of current programs.
AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says a patient-centred focus on evidence is native to Australian hospital pharmacy, the cradle of new models of pharmacy care.

‘Medicines management programs and primary care pharmacy services must be enhanced through the latest research and evidence and targeted to our most vulnerable Australians first and foremost, to maximise health outcomes for the community and keep people out of hospital wherever possible.
‘As Australia’s peak body of hospital pharmacy for more than 80 years, AdPha is the home of team-based pharmacy care that is led by the evidence. We look forward to helping shape pharmacy programs that better support the safe and effective care of older Australians, and improve medicines access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.’

Mr Simpson says Australia’s pharmacy programs can be strengthened through the insight
of AdPha members who care for acutely unwell and at-risk Australians.

‘For decades AdPha members have forged new models of care in cost-constrained environments, in which their safety and efficacy, as well as their sustainability, must be proven in progressing from trial to pilot to program.
‘Our members bring valuable pharmacy expertise to the interdisciplinary teams providing care for the 250,000 Australians admitted to hospitals and 400,000 Australians presenting to emergency departments each year due to medication-related problems. With half of these preventable, better designed and more targeted pharmacy programs will reduce these costly hospital admissions and re-admissions.
‘Applying this knowledge of complex and transitional care models, which has accumulated in and around our hospitals, will ensure stronger pharmacy programs benefit more Australians.’

The post Hospital evidence and insight key to enhancing pharmacy programs appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Available now in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research (JPPR) this new Pharmacy Standard claims to protect patients from harms arising from transitions of care – one of three key priority areas identified by the World Health Organization’s third Global Patient Safety Challenge:Medication Without Harm.

Lead author Katie Phillips FANZCAP (ToC, PrimCare) – Chair of Standard of Practice Working Group and Chair of the AdPha Transitions of Care and Primary Care Leadership Committee – says the Standards come at an important time as pressures on our health system increase with an ageing population.
‘People who have a safe and informed transition of care have better outcomes, are less likely to be readmitted to hospital, and have more time to do what is important to them.
‘Improving medication safety during transitions of care is everyone’s responsibility, and requires commitment and collaboration across all levels of the acute and primary care sectors.
‘Pharmacy services specialising in transitions of care are perfectly placed to lead the way, and transitions of care stewardship is now more than just a pipedream. These Standards have been decades in the making and a testament to all those who have pioneered in this space.
‘They will enable best practice for the provision of pharmacy services specialising in
transitions of care while complementing other significant publications, such as the forthcoming ACSQHC Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework.’

AdPha President Tom Simpson says the Standard highlights the critical contributions of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistants to ensure Australians receive optimal care while moving between healthcare providers.
‘Research shows medication-related adverse events occur in approximately 20% of patients following discharge, two-thirds of which are considered preventable.
‘We also know through studies that pharmacist-led interventions lead to substantial reductions in these hospital visits, emergency department visits and hospital readmissions compared to usual care.
‘Pharmacy teams are integral to supporting transitions of care episodes, which often involve
complex care arrangements. They facilitate continuity of care, optimise medication management and minimise the risk of medication misadventure.
‘These Standards will support the important work these advanced pharmacists do and help reduce avoidable medication-related errors, adverse events and hospitalisations.
‘I’d like to congratulate Katie and the team and supporting organisations including the Australian Association of Gerontology, Australian Patients Association and Australian Self-Care Alliance for bringing these important Standards together.’
The Standard of practice for pharmacy services specialising in transitions of care is now available through the October issue of the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research (JPPR), Australia’s leading scientific pharmacy journal, free to AdPha members.

The post New pharmacy standard to support patients through transitions of care appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Presenting the award on the final day of Medicines Management 2024 (MM2024) in Adelaide, AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says Susan is a strong and effective mentor for many up-and-coming pharmacists seeking to make an impact in equitable access to health care. ‘Susan is a tireless advocate for rural pharmacists.
‘Understanding the unique skill required to work in rural and remote areas, Susan is constantly finding ways to support the growth and development of pharmacists to help them deliver optimal outcomes for their patients such as advocating for AdPha to provide a credentialling program for Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting.
‘As Chair of the AdPha Rural and Remote Leadership Committee, she has successfully campaigned for ongoing recognition of her field and in her role as Deputy Director of Pharmacy at Northeast Health Wangaratta, she is leading the development of an innovative and collaborative pharmacy internship program giving interns exposure to multiple rural health services including community pharmacy and general practice.
‘Susan also convenes a collaborative network of rural hospital pharmacy interns and their preceptors across the north of Victoria, enabling knowledge sharing via clinical case presentations, connecting peers across health service boundaries, and supporting newly registered pharmacists to guide the next cohort of interns that follow in their footsteps – her efforts to ensure early career pharmacists thrive in rural practice environments knows no bounds.’

In supporting her nomination, fellow AdPha Rural and Remote Leadership Committee member Kelly Beswick said Susan is always the first to ensure there is a Rural and Remote lens included within relevant standards of practice and advocacy efforts.‘Susan is a fierce advocate for rural and remote health, ensuring that the nuance of living and working in these locations is understood and recognised.
‘She is always looking for ways to promote the rewards of working in these challenging but rewarding locations, and to provide ongoing professional development and education for practitioners working in these areas.’

In his letter of commendation, David Ford, Director of Pharmacy at Northeast Health Wangaratta said Susan has committed herself to ensuring her experience and opinion is heard, both within and outside the region.
‘Susan is a warrior for equitable and accessible rural health services for people who reside in the country.
‘She also leads intern pharmacy programs, networking and education, which are important strategies to help ensure early career pharmacists remain practising in rural communities.

The post ‘Tireless advocate’ Susan Trevillian wins 2024 Australian Clinical Pharmacy Award appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

The post ‘Paving the way’: Peter Fowler wins prestigious Fred J Boyd award appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha)’s 48ᵗʰ national conference – Medicines Management 2024 (MM2024) – has begun with more than 1,000 delegates descending on Adelaide with the newly released practice standards a highlight of the opening plenary.

In opening statements, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care congratulated AdPha on a watershed year while emphasising the importance that hospital-informed care will have on expanded scope of practice and primary care going forward that is multidisciplinary, collaborative and puts the patient at the centre.
‘Your organisation has proved itself to be really positive agents for change and this year has proved that more than most.
‘The transition from SHPA to AdPha from hospital to advanced pharmacy has demonstrated to your profession to your members and to the government that you’re stepping up to support a profession, that is being called upon, to expand its scope of practice and to share its expertise in new and increasingly needed ways.
‘It’s often said that the only constant in life is change. And change is never easy.
‘The change comes opportunity though as well. And if you’re willing to embrace the change and lead into the challenge, those opportunities are maximized. Your organisation has really proved itself to be up to that task this year, and I think it’s stronger for it.’

AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) formally announced the release of AdPha’s Clinical Pharmacy Standards, Australia’s foremost standards for clinical pharmacy practice.
‘The Standards have been shaped by input from hundreds of members, and external organisations, reflecting the rapidly evolving pharmacy landscape in Australia, and the contemporary and emerging practices that complete the patient journey in and out of hospital.
‘They have been meticulously updated for current and leading practice, and I thank Editorial Committee Chair Professor Michael Dooley for his leadership and all editors and reviewers for their contributions.’

By offsetting carbon emissions for attendee travel through partnership with the Adelaide Convention Centre, Mr Simpson says the stage is set for the greenest ever Medicines Management conference, with sustainability announced as the theme for MedsAware 2025.
‘Adelaide Convention Centre is a beacon of sustainability – the world’s first convention centre to achieve EarthChecks coveted Master certification – and a number of MM2024 sessions are dedicated to both planetary and human health.
‘It is a fitting time and place to announce the theme for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week in 2025 will be empowering safe and sustainable use of medicines.
‘Building “planetary consciousness” in healthcare practice, policy, research, and education is critical; we cannot ignore the fact that climate change is the biggest health threat of this
century.’

The AdPha-led campaign, with returning partners including the Australian Deprescribing Network (ADeN), will go international for the first time, thanks to a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) also announced today.
‘We are excited to be forging stronger ties with our European counterparts.,’ says Mr Simpson.
‘This MoU will help bring international awareness to key patient care initiatives, such as our
deprescribing awareness campaign, and we are looking forward to engaging EAHP to help amplify what has already proven to be a successful national initiative.
‘We look forward to working together on this and many other initiatives to support our
practitioners and advance patient care across the globe.’
AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels says the conference, under the theme ‘It starts with a spark’, boasts a wide-ranging and diverse program reflecting the importance of the scientific community as a catalyst for change.”The format for Medicines Management is constantly evolving and the team have done an incredible
job combining innovation and inspiration through topics including AI, synthetic opioids and
pharmacogenomics.
‘The program is replete with new ideas at the cutting-edge of pharmacy practice, all designed to illuminate new ways of thinking that can bring positive change to patients in our care.
‘This is what hospital pharmacists and technicians have always done and continue to do: lead hospital-informed change in diverse care settings to ensure safer and more
effective care reaches more Australians, in and around our hospitals.’

The post MM2024: Australia’s largest (and greenest) scientific pharmacy conference ignites in Adelaide appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

“Hospital pharmacy has never stood still, and neither can we.”

“How we represent current and prospective members, and how we explain the current
and future impact of hospital pharmacy, is key to strengthening our advocacy,
delivering against our mission and expanding opportunities for our profession.

“Through our new branding we signal where hospital pharmacy is going, rather than
reflecting what it has been. A driving force of hospital-informed change that is
increasingly delivered in diverse care settings.

“This is what AdPha members continue to do so well: work, innovate and deliver safer
and more effective care to Australians, at their most unwell, in and around our
hospitals.”

Mr Simpson says beyond numbers, it is the energy of members and measures of
engagement that defines the organisation.

“We are as strong as the projects and platforms that bring us together.

“The 2024 Honour Roll is our largest since its introduction in 2018, totaling almost 400
members who have contributed through state and territory Branch Committees, Specialty Practice Leadership Committees, and groups steering key AdPha programs, projects and events across advocacy, education, workforce development, as well as the Medicines Management national conference.

“Looking ahead, specialisation in our profession will continue, exemplified by our
Specialty Practice program, which now features four specialty groups with
membership of more than 1,000.

“A new blueprint will be born next week when we release the fully revised and updated
Clinical Pharmacy Standards, before gathering for Medicines Management 2024
(MM2024) in Adelaide.

“And we look to the future under a broader and more inclusive banner that embraces
the reality that our collaborative impact extends to pharmacy peers and
interdisciplinary colleagues.”

“The Board thanks every member – at all levels of participation – for a monumental
year, and there is so much more to come.”

The post Advanced Pharmacy Australia released its 2024 Annual Report this month appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.