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6 INDUSTRY UPDATES PATY AWARD GOES VIRTUAL TO CELEBRATE FRONTLINE INDUSTRY HEROES The annual Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award will go ahead in 2020, moving entirely online for the first time in the event’s 14-year history. Nominations for the 2020 Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award (PATY), dubbed ‘Virtual PATY’ open on 1 June at pharmacyassistants.com/paty. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis, said that now, more than ever, we need to recognise and celebrate our top achievers in pharmacy. “PATY is the premier award for approximately 35,000 pharmacy assistants nationally. It provides a public platform to recognise the high value pharmacy assistants contribute to their pharmacies, the community and the industry. “The coronavirus pandemic won’t stop us from acknowledging and celebrating the great work that pharmacy assistants do for the community on a daily basis. “This year we had to be a little more innovative and bring the award fully online. Nominees will be able to submit a video as part of the nomination process, which will be run through the Pharmacy Guild Queensland Branch’s new Cloud Assess LMS platform “The 2020 selection criteria has been amended so nominees can include examples of their frontline leadership and skills developed during the coronavirus pandemic. “State Workshops and the National Judging Workshop will be conducted via Zoom, with successful nominees enjoying catering via an online meal delivery service,” Mr Tambassis said. The virtual Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award is open to all Australian pharmacy assistants with a minimum of two years’ industry experience. Nominees can either self-nominate or be nominated by a third party. Several great prizes are available, including a $5,000 cash prize and Guild Training course for the National Winner. More information is available at paconference.com/PATY. QUITTING SMOKING MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER A new international study has shown that people who smoke are more vulnerable to severe complications from COVID-19. The study, which analysed data from China, shows that those who smoke are more likely than non-smokers to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms, require critical care and have worse outcomes. This is similar to research into influenza, which has found that smokers are twice as likely to get the flu and have a severe case, due to an impaired immune system. According to Dr Jacinta Johnson, lecturer in pharmacy at the University of South Australia, pharmacies play a critical role in providing evidence-based support and information to those looking to quit smoking. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how crucial pharmacies are in our health system,” she said. “With research showing that people who smoke are more likely to experience serious consequences if they contract COVID-19, encouraging and supporting smoking cessation during this time is another way that pharmacies can utilise their skills to help protect our community.” Dr Johnson adds that in addition to making recommendations around nicotine replacement therapy and other smoking cessation aids, pharmacies can directly refer people to the Quitline, the confidential, evidence- based telephone consulting and online support service. Senior Quitline Counsellor David Schmidt, who has been supporting South Australians to quit smoking for more than 10 years, says self-isolation, stress and social distancing are additional challenges facing smokers trying to quit during the pandemic. “The main concerns I’m hearing from callers are how to deal with additional boredom due to isolation and extra stress, particularly around finances,” he said. “It’s these kinds of situations that can increase smoking rates and make it hard to quit.” “... Quitting now is more important than ever and we’re here to help. We can work with you to formulate strategies to manage cravings while in isolation, provide tailored call-back support and provide information on appropriate tools to assist with quitting. “Our message to pharmacies is to encourage your clients to reach out and get in touch with us. Together with your support, we can provide \[clients\] with vital tools and strategies to help them quit for good.” For more information or to contact Quitline, call 13 7848 or visit: quitlinesa.org.au RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • JUN 2020