The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched a new training program to support pharmacists working in residential aged care, as a new emerging role.
PSA's Residential Aged Care Pharmacist: Foundation Training Program is an accredited CPD activity that will help Australian pharmacists upskill for aged care practice settings.
The course will support recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which focussed on ways to improve quality use of medicines and reduce the use of chemical restraints.
PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, shed light on the new course.
"I am delighted to announce the launch of PSA's Aged Care Foundation Training Program. This project has been in development for some time and has been designed to support a critical area of pharmacist practice, as evidenced by the Royal Commission.
"PSA's Medicine Safety: Take Care and Medicine Safety: Aged Care reports found that 98 percent of aged care residents have at least one medicine-related problem, and over half are exposed to at least one potentially inappropriate medicine.
"Pharmacists working in residential aged care facilities can help improve the quality use of medicines and health outcomes of aged care residents by using their clinical knowledge to its full extent, and limiting the incidence of harm from suboptimal or inappropriate use of medicines.
"The Aged Care Foundation Training Program is the only short CPD course available of its kind that specifically focuses on the needs of pharmacists, taking into account their background as medicines experts.
"Completion of this course will ensure that pharmacists are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to work with the elderly, ensuring pharmacists can better contribute to quality use of medicines in residential aged care.
"We need all pharmacists to practise to full scope, and playing a more targeted role in residential aged care will be a significant step toward improving clinical practice, medication management and safety in this environment.
"Having more pharmacist time on-site in these facilities improves the standard of residents' care and will prevent avoidable harm and death - providing reassurance to residents and their loved ones," A/Prof Freeman said.
PSA believes that there is a need for strong clinical leadership in the pharmacy profession, to engage pharmacists in these important areas of practice and to demonstrate the value of enhanced medication management reviews.
