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Tuesday 04 Apr 2017
Today’s issue of PD
Pharmacy Daily today has two pages of news plus full pages from: • Sensipure • MIMS
Debbie measures The Health Department has confirmed special arrangements for pharmacists supplying PBS medicines to patients in areas affected by Ex Tropical Cyclone Debbie, which are effective immediately and will apply until at least 30 Apr 2017. Full details of entitlements, supply rules and more are at pbs.gov.au.
Pharmacist biosimilar role Pharmacists in Australia have this week for the first time the opportunity to exercise the option of substituting an ‘a’ flagged biosimilar in consultation with the patient but without necessarily referencing the prescriber. MSD has confirmed the availability of biosimilar Brenzys (etanercept), the originator brand being Enbrel from Pfizer, on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 01 Apr (PD yesterday). Dr Mona Marabani, rheumatologist and chair of the biosimilars working group of the Australian Rheumatology
PSA Gold Medal Awarded University of Canberra (UC) pharmacy graduate Dr Kathleen Otto has been honoured with a prestigious award sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Otto received the Gold Medal Award, presented at the Canberra Student Pharmacy Association (CaSPA) Ball on 01 Apr, for the best overall student completing the Master of Pharmacy by coursework degree with a minimum of a distinction over the entire course. PSA ACT Branch director Caroline Khalil said she was delighted to present the award to Otto in recognition of her outstanding effort and achievement. “Kathleen comes from regional Queensland and has returned to complete her internship at Toowoomba Hospital,” Khalil said.
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“It’s pleasing to see pharmacists returning to their communities to contribute, particularly in regional areas where they have so much to offer as healthcare professionals.” PSA ACT Branch president Patrick Reid congratulated Otto, saying, “The skills and knowledge displayed by pharmacists, plus their strong commitment and enthusiasm, highlights that the future of Australia’s pharmacy profession is in excellent hands. “I sincerely congratulate Dr Otto as well as all of the UC pharmacy graduates displaying excellence in their pharmacy studies. They are wonderful ambassadors for both the university and their chosen profession.” Pictured are Caroline Khalil with Kathleen Otto.
Association said it was important that the healthcare community worked together to build understanding of the new products. “Information and education will become increasingly important as more biosimilars become available alongside the originator biologics and careful long term monitoring will be vital,” she explained. MSD said it expected to launch an ongoing range of biosimilars in the coming years, focusing on oncology and immunology items where the value of originator products was estimated at over $850m annually. Coffs Harbour clinical pharmacist David Metcalf emphasised the need for education for pharmacists, prescribers and patients, the need to track changes in medication, especially via e-health records and the importance of consulting with prescribers on biosimilar switching. Being ‘a’ flagged means pharmacists can substitute the items at the point of dispensing, subject to choice by the patient and the prescriber. Significant savings for the health system are expected as funded biosimilars are also likely to drive down the prices of originator brands, Metcalf said.
Pharmacist Rx OK Prescribing by suitably-trained pharmacists and nurses offers similar outcomes to prescribing by doctors in the management of chronic conditions, according to a new Cochrane review. Pooled clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction across 45 studies of nurse or pharmacist prescribing, mostly in the US and UK, were compared with doctor prescribing. Most studies were of chronic disease management in primary care settings in high income countries - 25 from the US and six from the UK. Main therapeutic areas included blood pressure therapy, hypercholesterolaemia treatment and blood sugar control in diabetes patients as well as adherence to medication, patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life. The review provides some reassurance that properly-trained independent prescribers can prescribe as effectively as doctors for patients with long-term conditions, the authors concluded. They suggested nurse or pharmacist prescribers may be a useful addition to a chronic disease management service such as clinics targeting blood pressure or diabetes - see the review HERE.
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Pharmacy Daily Tuesday 4th April 2017
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