The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today launched guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management, as part of PSA22.
The guidelines mark PSA's ongoing commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by enhancing medicines management. The principles included in the guideline are relevant to all current and future pharmacists, from those just starting their professional journey to those with years of experience working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.
PSA National President Dr Fei Sim said that the guidelines were a vital part of the pharmacy profession's effort to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
"PSA is proud to have worked with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to develop these guidelines, which will help pharmacists around Australia, in all practice settings, deliver the best care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients," she said.
"The guidance can be used as a tool to support balanced and professional decision making, and ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients' needs, beliefs and preferences are met in a culturally safe way. "The guidance can be used as an educational resource to inform quality assurance processes, support better practice, and provide support when resolving disputes and ethical dilemmas. "I thank everyone involved in developing the guidelines, in particular the writing group consisting of exceptional pharmacists A/Prof Faye McMillan, Hannah Mann, and Naomi Weier."
Deputy CEO of NACCHO, Dr Dawn Casey, says that the guidelines offer practical and detailed information, as well as some challenging ideas.
"All pharmacists have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients as well as colleagues, business partners or family who we interact with, know and work alongside," she said.
"We hope you enjoy the journey as you work through the guideline and appreciate the relationships and learning that takes place along the way. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rich and diverse cultures are part of Australia's identity. There is so much knowledge and power in this cultural capital."
A/Prof Faye McMillan launched the report this morning at PSA22.
"In your journey as a pharmacist, this guideline offers you an opportunity to develop professionally, expand your organisation or business's impact, build relationships and grow professionally," A/Prof McMillan said.
"This is an exciting opportunity for pharmacists around Australia to move toward a strength-based approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care.
"The last guide to providing pharmacy services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was released in 2014, and I'm proud to have worked with PSA to update these to reflect today's best practice.
The development of the Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia thanks all those who have contributed to the development of the guidelines.
The guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management can be read here.
