Media Release
20 February, 2020
Last weekend the Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia hosted its first State conference for pharmacists in Hobart. The conference was attended by 70 delegates and attracted 20 program sponsors.
Tasmanian Health Minister the Hon Sarah Courtney MP opened the conference thanking the Tasmanian pharmacy community for their efforts in supporting the Tasmanian Government funded MMR and meningococcal vaccination programs.
Also in attendance at the Members Only Breakfast with Guild National President George Tambassis was Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians who discussed the findings from the recent Royal Commission and the Federal Government’s commitment to medication safety in aged care facilities.
The Tasmanian Pharmacy Conference provided an opportunity for Tasmanian pharmacy owners and pharmacists to participate in some informative and beneficial sessions across business and clinical themes in their own state. Many of the sessions were accredited for continuous professional development (CPD), allowing delegates to work towards the required yearly 40 CPD points to maintain their professional registration.
Tasmanian Branch Director Monique Mackrill said: “It is important that our Tasmanian members can come together and use the opportunity to update their professional development, understand changes in the pharmacy sector and also have some time to connect with colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.
“A big draw card for local community pharmacy owners was that the event was held in Hobart over the weekend so down time in their businesses was minimised.”
Of particular interest was ePrescribing and how this will impact service delivery in-store. James Nevile from FredIT was able to explain how this will be deployed into pharmacy. A panel session with industry leaders also touched on the mindset change required to successfully integrate this into the current pharmacy operations comparing it to the mindset change needed in the broader community to utilise electronic check in when travelling.
Other well received sessions included learning how to assist patients in managing their pain and assisting older patients to stay healthy and independent longer, marketing to mums and thriving in complexity.
“The success of this year’s conference has been so very encouraging – so much so that planning for next year’s conference is already underway,” Ms Mackrill said.
Source: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
