New guideline for pharmacists supporting Indigenous Australians
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched guidelines for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with medicines management, as part of the PSA National Conference 2022.
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, according to the PSA.
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.
“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 said, “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.
McMillan said, “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.
“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.
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