Guild Pharmacy of the Year presentation

Congratulations to Capital Chemist Chisholm in the ACT which has this morning been presented – finally – with its Guild Pharmacy of the Year 2020 trophy.

The awards, sponsored by Care Pharmaceuticals, are traditionally presented during APP on the Gold Coast, which as we all know was disrupted this year because of COVID-19.

The Guild Pharmacy of the Year awards highlight and honour pharmacies that are leaders in adapting and innovating to provide the best healthcare for members of their communities.

The awards were announced by media release back in April, but in this crazy year it is only now that we’ve been able to arrange for a formal handing over of the trophy.

(L-R): Suzanne Greenwood, local Federal MP, David Smith, Rebecca Young and ACT Branch President, Simon Blacker

Presenting the award and trophy, local Federal MP David Smith said Capital Chemist Chisholm had impressed the judges by consistently seeking to improve its services and business while maintaining its position as an integral part of the community it serves.

“I think this pharmacy serves as a great model of what community pharmacy today is all about – it’s about community, it’s about the patients it serves, and it’s about constantly meeting the needs of its patients.”

ACT Branch President Simon Blacker, competition judges Michelle Bou-Samra and Nick Panayiaris, and our Executive Director Suzanne Greenwood were on hand to congratulate pharmacy owner Rebecca Young and her fantastic staff.

Rebecca Young told the crowd of patients and well-wishers: “We are so fortunate to have such a lovely community here in Chisholm. Everything we have done would not have been possible without our amazing team.”

It’s important that we publicly celebrate excellence in community pharmacy because it reinforces the high regard in which pharmacies are held across Australia.

Pharmacies like Rebecca Young’s are a vital part of the health system, and they are trusted and respected by patients.

Bad behaviour in pharmacies

In the past week we have also had cause to highlight some random bad behaviour in pharmacies – with incidents in Sydney and Moe attracting some media attention. We called for such acts by a tiny minority of people to be condemned, and for pharmacies, their staff and patients to be treated with respect.

It is important that the Guild shows absolute solidarity with our Members and their staff whenever this sort of behaviour surfaces – so people know it won’t be tolerated.

I commend Moe pharmacy owner Rania Hanoun for her courage in response to the incident in her pharmacy. She wrote: “Thank you to my staff who won’t let this event dampen their spirits and are always there for our customers. Thank you to our community who value and respect us.”

All pharmacists and pharmacy staff should be aware of the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) which is a confidential helpline should they feel the need to speak with anybody following such incidents.

The PSS can be contacted on 1300 244 910.

Pharmacists and the 2019-20 bushfires

It is good to see the report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has acknowledged the vital role of community pharmacies during the bushfire crisis last summer.

The report, released today, says in part: “During and after a natural disaster, primary care providers, such as general practitioners and pharmacists, play a vital role in supporting a health response. These providers are often on-the-ground as a disaster occurs, providing medical support as a trusted part of the community. During the 2019-2020 bushfires, local general practitioners and pharmacists supported patients and provided continuity of care when local health infrastructure had been disrupted Primary care providers also have a role in ongoing clinical care, as they remain within the community for years after a disaster, managing its ongoing health effects.”

The Royal Commission has also acknowledged the role of continued dispensing by pharmacists in helping to ensure continuity of care for patients affected by the bushfires. This is welcome recognition, and adds to the strong case for continued dispensing by community pharmacists to be a permanent feature of our health system so that it is in place to assist patients whenever any emergency arises.

We also welcome the Commission’s recommendation that primary care is included in disaster management planning. It said Australian, State and Territory governments should develop arrangements that facilitate greater inclusion of primary healthcare providers in disaster management, including representation on relevant disaster committees and plans, and providing training, education and other support.

I was pleased to be able to make a verbal submission to the Royal Commission earlier this year, and it is good to see the work and courage of community pharmacists acknowledged in the report.