February 2018
NZPERF Update
Buster Thomas memorial Scholarship
Buster Thomas, a pharmacist from Porirua and latterly in his career, Johnsonville, bequeathed funds from his estate to the New Zealand Pharmacy Education and Research Foundation (NZPERF) to invest and apply the net proceeds to fund the establishment of a scholarship to be known as the Buster Thomas Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is to allow a student from the Porirua Basin to attend Otago University and graduate as a pharmacist.
Buster and his wife Maureen, who worked in his pharmacies with him, saw many capable students in the Porirua area who were unable to take the step on to university studies. As pharmacy was very dear to their lives they wanted to give students from the area a chance to become a pharmacist.
This scholarship has been awarded for the 2018-2022 period to Rosalyn (Rosie) Fahey from Tawa College. Rosie participates in community activities in Girls Brigade and with the church as well as showing excellence in her studies. She has known she wanted to be a pharmacist since Year 10 at College. We wish Rosie well in her studies at Otago.
NZPERF Prizes for Intern Patient Centred Care Assignments
In 2017 NZPERF awarded three prizes of $500 to the interns with the best patient centred care assignment. These prizes were awarded to two community pharmacy interns and one hospital intern. The interns also write an article about their experience in undertaking this assignment.
The NZPERF Board congratulates the winners for 2017 - Tayla Bowers, a hospital intern and Eunice Tan and Joyce Wang, the community pharmacy interns.
Please click on the link below to the PSNZ website NZPERF section to read their winning articles:
NZ Pharmacy Education and Research Foundation (NZPERF) Projects
NZPERF welcomes applications from pharmacists from all areas of the profession who require financial support to undertake practice related research, which on completion will benefit pharmacy in New Zealand. If you have a project in mind then now is the time to submit your application.
For further details, application form and guidelines visit the NZPERF web pages. Applications close on 10 April 2018
Practice update
Opportunity to participate in Otago University research: Role of New Zealand Community Pharmacists in opioid substitution treatment
Rebecca Suddaby is interested to explore your views as a community pharmacist on providing opioid substitution treatment (OST) in the form of either methadone or buprenorphine.
She is aiming to identify current attitudes and clinical practices, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators when providing the service. She will also examine how pharmacists perceive their role as part of the OST primary care team in providing healthcare for this population.
If you agreeto take part in the research, you will be asked to participate in one audio-recorded video interview (Skype or similar) that will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes, at a time that is convenient to you. All responses are kept confidential and, as a token of appreciation a $25 book token will be offered to all interviewees.
Rebecca’s research is being undertaken as part of the requirements for her Masters’ Degree in Primary Health Care through the University of Otago, Wellington.
If you are working the community sector and think you may be interested in participating in this research, please email Rebecca directly at sudre375@otago.ac.nz including “Opioid substitution- Community Pharmacy” in the subject heading or phone 027 259 7734.
Save the date!! The future of Medicines - May 12-13
The Clinical Advisory Pharmacists Association (CAPA) in conjunction with PSNZ are running a colloquium on the future of medicines. Join us to learn about the fundamentals of immunology and the application of targeted gene therapies and treatments. Guest speakers include Professor Graham Le Gros from the Malaghan Institute. Refer attached flyer for more information.
PSNZ notifications
NOMINATIONS FOR 2017 PSNZ PHARMACIST OF THE YEAR CLOSE FRIDAY 23 MARCH 2018- reminder
Nominations for the 2017 Pharmaceutical Society Pharmacist of the Year are now open . Click here to download the nomination form.
Do you know someone who:
- Consistently demonstrates excellence in professional clinical pharmacy practice by providing high quality clinical pharmacy services that improve patients outcomes;
- Raises the profile and role of the clinical pharmacist; and
- Provide a model of practice that others strive to emulate.
Once nominations close they are taken to a specially formed panel representing the Ministry of Health, pharmacy and medical professionals.
The recipient of the award receives a grant to further their education or professional development.
Please send your nominations to;
Richard Townley, Awards Secretariat, Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand PO Box 11640 Manners Street Wellington 6142
or email r.townley@psnz.org.nz
Fax issues:
Please be aware that we are currently experiencing some difficulties with our office fax machines, this has been an intermittent issue since early in the new year. We have been in regular contact with our service provider trying to get the issues sorted but they are having some difficultly in pinpointing the exact issue of the problem.
We are therefore encouraging members to please email documentation when they can to the following email addresses:
Membership p.society@psnz.org.nz
College Education and Training college@psnz.org.nz
EVOLVE Intern Training Programme evolve@psnz.org.nz
ENHANCE enhance@psnz.org.nz
Pharmacy Defence Association pda@psnz.org.nz
Thanks for your co-operation on this matter.