20 May 2009

The National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) has developed a new Pharmacy Practice Review to help pharmacists deliver best practice care for patients prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

The review, 'Quality use of prescription proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)', is part of the broader vision of NPS to encourage quality use of medicines. It is one of the activities of the 2009 NPS therapeutic program on prescribing and use of PPIs for health professionals.

“The NPS Pharmacy Practice Reviews allow pharmacists to self-assess their practice against pharmacist competencies and professional practice standards to determine training and development needs,” NPS Deputy CEO, Karen Kaye said.

“Last year 1500 pharmacists and interns completed the NPS's 'Enhancing patient care in type 2 diabetes’ review. Pharmacists participating in NPS activities are committed to providing patients with best-practice care.”

“Feedback we have had from both hospital and community pharmacists has been largely positive. Most acknowledge that by the time they complete two or three reviews, they can see improvements in the way they communicate with patients which benefits the whole relationship,” Ms Kaye said.

Participating in the activity assists pharmacists to identify counselling points and provide appropriate lifestyle advice for patients prescribed PPIs as well as allowing pharmacists to reflect on individual episodes of care. Pharmacists completing the review will be in a better position to identify patients for referral to their GP.

The Pharmacy Practice Review includes a tear-off pad with information to give to patients, an action checklist for pharmacists to work through for each patient and current clinical information on the use of PPIs.

By participating in this review, pharmacists can earn continuing professional development points:

• Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP) — 8 points
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) CPD&PI program — 8 points
• Pharmacy Board of South Australia — up to 8 ENRICH credits
• Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) CPD Program — 8 hours of content as a group 2 activity.

To participate in the Pharmacy Practice Review and ensure feedback will be provided in late November, pharmacists must enrol by 26 June 2009. Visit www.nps.org.au/pharmacy_practice_reviews.

The NPS publication, Prescribing Practice Review (45) Proton pump inhibitors: step-down to symptom control, is available at www.nps.org.au/health_professionals.

For further information about the review, please contact Marissa Scuderi on 02 8217 8700 or email info@nps.org.au

ENDS