The recent Sigma Pharmacist Summit in Hobart underscored a significant shift in the pharmacy sector towards providing more professional services, demanding considerable investment from all stakeholders. The Summit highlighted the need for enhanced staff training and the creation of frictionless customer experiences to meet these new expectations effectively.
Key Summit Topics
The Summit began with an insightful analysis of the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA). Kos Sclavos, the Past National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, emphasised the importance of understanding the key elements of the agreement to maximise benefits. Tools like the 8CPA calculator were introduced to help pharmacists evaluate the impact on their individual practices, offering strategic guidance for leveraging the new agreement.
A crucial theme was the evolution of community pharmacy scope, particularly highlighted through the Queensland Scope of Practice Pilot. Andrew Harman from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch, discussed the training requirements and the importance of early preparation for service offerings. This session highlighted that expanding the scope of practice requires robust staff training to ensure that pharmacies can deliver these new services effectively.
Other emerging areas of particular interest were travel health and medicines by injection, highlighting the growing demand for these professional services.
Technology’s transformative role in healthcare was another focal point. Renee Watson from Sigma Healthcare showcased how automation, machine learning, and robotics are revolutionizing pharmacy operations, especially in medication packing and delivery. These technologies are essential for supporting aging Australians and ensuring timely medication management, which significantly enhances patient outcomes.
The potential of Hyper-local eCommerce platforms was also explored, highlighting how pharmacies can grow their online presence. This approach is pivotal in creating frictionless customer experiences, making it easier for customers to access services and products.
Peter Simaris from MedAdvisor Solutions discussed the benefits of pharmacy apps in building customer loyalty and improving operational efficiencies. The session provided a sneak preview of the new MedAdvisor for Pharmacy cloud solution, which promises to streamline pharmacy operations further and enhance customer engagement.
Palliative care was another critical topic. Dr. Ella van Tienen and Angus Thompson shared the importance of timely access to symptom control medicines for palliative care patients, preparing pharmacists to provide optimal end-of-life care at home. This discussion emphasised the need for well-trained staff to handle the complexities of palliative care effectively.
Burnout and stress management were addressed through personal stories, notably by Emerton Amcal+ Pharmacy franchise partner and President at Pharmacist’ Support Service (PSS) Curtis Ruhnau, who shared his experiences during COVID-19. His session underscored the importance of peer support and professional counselling in overcoming the challenges faced by pharmacists.
The transformative impact of AI and automation in pharmacy workforce management was showcased by Surge Singh from Locumate.ai. The AI-driven platform aims to streamline administrative tasks, enhance talent recruitment and retention, and set new standards for innovation in the pharmacy sector.
Investing in staff training and technology
The Summit concluded with reflections on the past year’s changes, particularly the impact of 60-day dispensing. Attendees were encouraged to solidify their action plans for the next 12 months, leveraging the insights and tools discussed during the Summit to enhance their pharmacy practices.
Overall, the Summit emphasized the critical need for strategic investments in staff training and technology to enable pharmacies to meet the growing demand for professional services. By focusing on these areas, the pharmacy sector can continue to evolve, offering enhanced care and convenience to customers.
2024 Sigma Pharmacist Summit Pharmacist of the Year Awards
We celebrated our high achievers on the final day at the Sigma Pharmacist Summit Pharmacist of the Year Awards dinner. Congratulations to all our Amcal Pharmacy and Discount Drug Stores 2024 finalists and very deserved winners:
Amcal Pharmacist of the Year (overall)
Rowan Lowe, Amcal Donnybrook Pharmacy
Pharmacist of the Year – Leadership
Rowan Lowe Amcal Donnybrook Pharmacy
Pharmacist of the Year – Collaboration
Amy Ford, Hope Island 7 Day Amcal Chemist
Pharmacist of the Year – Innovation
George Kounis, Tuart Hill Amcal
Pharmacist of the Year – Community Engagement
Zara Gul, Emerton Amcal Pharmacy
DDS Pharmacist of the Year (overall)
Andrew McGrath, Thornton Discount Drug Store
Pharmacist of the Year – Leadership
Linda Lee, Meadowbrook Discount Drug Store
Pharmacist of the Year – Collaboration
Jeff Gaff, Belmont Road Discount Drug Store
Pharmacist of the Year – Innovation
Martinique Aprile, Mackay Discount Drug Store
Pharmacist of the Year – Community Engagement
Andrew McGrath, Thornton Discount Drug Store
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