Page 16 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - October 2020

14 INDUSTRY EDUCATION PHARMACY OF THE YEAR 2021: ARECOGNISING COMMUNITY PHARMACY By Colm Maguire, Group Executive, Member Services and Innovation Group, Pharmacy Guild of Australia. s pharmacy assistants, you no doubt know that one of the highlights of the pharmacy profession’s calendar is the annual announcement of the Pharmacy Guild’s Pharmacy of the Year. This is a prestigious award recognising the work of everyone in a pharmacy. It is traditionally announced at the Guild’s annual conference, APP, on the Gold Coast. The winning pharmacies in three categories – one of which goes on to take out the ultimate accolade of Pharmacy of the Year – are chosen by a panel of expert judges. Well, that’s how it’s usually done. Covid-19 has brought changes. This year the Pharmacy of the Year 2021 event is embracing a unique format to reflect the challenges presented to the whole pharmacy sector in 2020. And 2020 has certainly tested the sector. The ongoing challenges have meant pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and all the staff in the pharmacies where you work have gone to extraordinary lengths to help patients and your communities. What we’re experiencing is community pharmacy staff facing significantly increased workloads, while also being agile and adept in changing the way they work. This agility and adeptness are a practical need in response to issues stemming from the panic buying of medicines, medicine shortages, telehealth image-based prescriptions, social distancing and physical restriction measures, heightened infection control procedures, sourcing personal protective equipment for staff and the public, and the high demand for influenza vaccinations – just to name a few of the challenges. So, to reflect the tremendous work you and your colleagues have done, and continue to do daily, Pharmacy of the Year 2021 will look a lot different. We’re moving from the traditional process where pharmacies either self- nominate or are nominated by branches or QCPP assessors. Rather than following a judging process, which includes visits to finalist pharmacies, this year the award will showcase the community pharmacy network, and all that community pharmacies and their staff have done and continue to do during these challenging times. One of the great things about this format is that it means the whole profession is involved. I believe this is really important as today everyone in the pharmacy is representative of its whole commitment and dedication. So, the new format will allow the 2021 award to be seen as a reflection and celebration of all community pharmacies and all community pharmacy staff for their contribution to the health of Australians across the country. It will highlight the responses of you and your work colleagues to the bushfires, floods, drought and, of course, Covid-19. It will highlight how you’ve adapted and transformed to meet these challenges. It will highlight the integral role you’ve played in your communities and in helping your patients during the most difficult of times. The awards are sponsored by Care Pharmaceuticals, whose General Manager, Jonathan Biddle, has pointed out that this year will be long remembered as perhaps the most challenging in the profession’s history. But throughout it, community pharmacies have continued to operate and work to meet the needs of all our patients. It hasn’t been easy, but you’ve done it. I’m excited about the opportunity the new format gives us to show the community spirit and commitment that is symbolic of everything you do in your pharmacy. With the new format, no application processes will be involved for Pharmacy of the Year 2021. Instead, the Pharmacy Guild across Australia will work closely with its members and the community to find the stories from the coalface: the pharmacies that have stood out, made significant differences to their communities, innovated and adapted to address the changing landscape and needs of patients. These are the exemplar pharmacies that Pharmacy of the Year 2021 will recognise and celebrate. Talk with your colleagues to make sure your pharmacy is included on the virtual honour board. Also, click here to hear from some of your Australian community pharmacy heroes as they navigate their way through the challenges of 2020. “Community pharmacies have continued to operate and work to meet the needs of all our patients. It hasn’t been easy, but you’ve done it.” RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • OCT 2020