Not to miss pre-conference workshops at Pharmacy Connect

This year’s Pharmacy Connect (1-3 September) offers three pre-conference workshops not to be missed.

The pre-conference workshops will be held from 2:00 pm on Thursday 1 September and will cover topics, including:

  • Harm minimisation.
  • How to protect your pharmacist registration.
  • Full scope of practice.

They will provide an in-depth look at these important subjects.

Workshop 1: Harm minimisation

Workshop one will explore the use of licit and illicit drugs (and habits) and the mechanisms available to pharmacists to keep communities safe.

It will also explore new treatments for opioid-addicted patients who are prescribed prescription pain killers after surgery or traumatic events.

Topics covered will include smoking cessation and vaping, the safe use of paracetamol, LAIB, and safe injecting practices.

The workshop will feature leading speakers in the field including:

  • Dr Colin Mendelsohn, smoking cessation expert.
  • Dr Hester Wilson, addiction medicine specialist.
  • Dr Rose Cairns, poisons specialist.
  • Dr Phillip Read, sexual health physician.

Workshop 2: Pharmacist registration

Workshop two, titled ‘How to protect your most valuable business asset – your registration’, will focus on the role of the Pharmacy Council of New South Wales and how it interacts with other regulators to protect the public.

Session topics will include the complaints process, which issues land business owners in the most trouble, tips to minimise regulatory exposure, real-life experiences from the regulatory coalface and the importance of professional autonomy.

Speakers include:

  • Georgina Woods, Professional Officer for the Pharmacy Council of New South Wales.
  • Bruce Battye, Director of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit for the NSW Ministry of Health.
  • Tony Kofkin, Executive Director, Complaint Operations for the Healthcare Complaints Commission.
  • Jess Hadley, PDL Professional Officer.

Workshop 3: Full scope

The third workshop on offer will provide an overview of where Australian pharmacy practice is on its journey to full scope of patient care services and will outline the role each of us will play in achieving full scope.

The workshop will commence with a presentation by a former Canadian Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Sara Kemp, who will cover the benefits of full scope of practice and provide an overview on what is happening in other countries around the world.

The workshop will continue with a panel discussion, followed by an audience Q&A.

For further details on all three workshops and to register, visit pharmacy-connect.com.au.

Workshop attendees are invited to attend the Pharmacy Connect welcome reception at Hilton Sydney’s Zeta Bar, which is taking place directly after the workshops at 5:30 pm.