5 questions about pharmacy employee rights
High dispensing rates, customer abuse, store cleaning… what are your rights to a healthy and safe pharmacy workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic? Pharmacy employers have a legal obligation to provide …
Telehealth: conducting medication reviews during COVID-19
What do pharmacists need to know about the recent ‘telepharmacy’ changes? The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of healthcare – and indeed pharmacy – as we know it. Since 21 April, pharmacists have been able to undertake a range …
‘Who takes responsibility for errors?’
RACGP shares concern over pharmacist metformin substitution plan, saying substitution without prescriber knowledge “leaves gaps in continuity of care” With current shortages for multiple brands of metformin modified-release 500mg tablets …
‘Where did all the stock go?’
AJP investigates the unprecedented medicine stock outs during February and March this year Small Pharmacies Group (SPG) has challenged the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) claim that increased demand caused …
Is pharmacist prescribing the ‘holy grail’ for the profession?
Pharmacist prescribing in Australia is nearly two decades behind that in the UK, but will doctors manage to retain medical dominance? There is room for further acceptance of prescribing as …
Pharmacists appeal for hazard allowance, tax break
A petition before Parliament and also running on Change.org is calling for hazard allowance and tax-free income for “bombarded” pharmacists and pharmacy staff “While most doctors are consulting online, we …
‘It’s been a rollercoaster of stock and no stock.’
Access to flu vaccine stock has been erratic in the face of “unprecedented” demand, though more should be reaching community pharmacies soon Health authorities have been pushing early influenza vaccination …
Qld passes digital scripts arrangements
Queensland is the latest state to allow the prescribing of PBS medicines through a digital image Under the special arrangement, which begins Monday 18 May, prescribers can provide a digital image or …
Pharmacists, GPs continue to see marked downturn in foot traffic
It is a myth to assume that all pharmacies ‘are doing well’ from COVID-19, says the Guild, with many looking to the JobKeeper scheme to stay afloat Pharmacies located in …
How much do you do for free?
Pharmacists in this new study say unremunerated services account for 15%–50% of their daily activities, with competition from discount pharmacies putting these at risk Pharmacists report delivering unfunded services daily …
Will sanitiser, Perspex shields become ‘the new normal’?
While pharmacists have made changes to their stores to keep staff and patients safe, only 11% of poll respondents say they have had access to enough personal protective equipment During …
Stats show 300% spike in pharmacy flu shots
Demand is ‘far exceeding’ previous years as patients get vaccinated earlier amidst coronavirus pandemic There has been a year-on-year increase of more than 300% for flu vaccinations administered in pharmacies, …