MOTU-02 - Sharing ideas of member organisations: the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA)

Ballroom West

Introduction

FIP member organisations will present their best initiatives and challenges.

Programme

08:00 – 08:05 Introduction by the chair
08:05 – 08:25

MOTU-0201 – Pharmacy Forecast: The Australian story
Dr Kate O’Hara
In 2020, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) partnered to produce Pharmacy Forecast Australia. The partnership ensures each Forecast edition has the scope to introduce new innovations while adhering to the fundamental governance and research design following ‘wisdom of the crowds’ methodology.
In Australia, this has seen the introduction of ‘Partner Perspectives’, an opportunity for organisations across health care, government and consumer groups to interpret survey data and offer complementary perspectives, driving the growth of Pharmacy Forecast Australia from a digital-only launch in 2021 during pandemic restrictions, to the widely publicised preview of Pharmacy Forecast Australia 2023 at Australian Parliament House in Canberra last year, and official launch on FIP World Pharmacists Day at the 81st FIP Congress in Brisbane.
Pharmacy Forecast Australia is now referenced in business and operational planning, policy submissions and advocacy campaigns, the data points facilitate conversation and help empower decision-makers with tangible solutions and ideas to address pressing health issues.
08:25 – 08:45 MOTU-0202 – When harm outweighs good: Australia’s #MedsAware campaign
Dr Kate O’Hara
In 2023, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) launched MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week, to drive conversations between health professionals, and between health professionals and consumers on deprescribing: the process of discontinuing medicines that are no longer required, or for which the risk of harm outweighs the benefits in the individual.
The theme of MedsAware 2024 (18–24 March) was ‘Ask because you care’, focused on empowering older Australians, Australians living with a disability, and their carers.
The week-long education and awareness program included a multi-partner webinar, resources for consumers and health professionals and a comprehensive media and social media campaign centred on eye-catching facts and figures; social media reach increased 30% on the inaugural year, and MedsAware content has reached a combined, cumulative audience of 15 million in 2023 and 2024.
In 2025, MedsAware will include international partners, enabling the sharing of knowledge and co-championing of awareness around deprescribing, polypharmacy and appropriate medicine use outside Australia.