Page 19 - RP-AUGUST-2020

APP2021: ATTENDEE SAFETY IS GUILD’S TOP PRIORITY The cancellation of this year’s Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP) had a devastating impact on the pharmacy industry and beyond, affecting delegates, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, suppliers and the local Gold Coast community where the event was to be held. The event’s organiser, the Pharmacy Guild, has spent the past four months dealing with the fallout caused by COVID-19 and the restrictions enforced just prior to APP2020 taking place. Now, the Guild is starting to prepare for APP2021, which is moving from the traditional March dates to May 20-23 to allow for more time for planning an event in this new COVID environment. With recent spikes in COVID cases in Victoria a reminder that this pandemic is far from over, the Guild’s main focus for APP2021 will be the safety of all attendees. The Guild is working closely with event suppliers, including the conference venue, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), whose site specific COVID safe plan was recently approved by the Queensland government. According to GCCEC CEO Adrienne Readings, the centre has been leading the way in developing COVID-safe enhanced policies, protocols and procedures for events at the venue. “Having received approval to operate under a detailed site-specific plan, GCCEC’s task force is working closely with clients, industry partners and Queensland Health to ensure that all visitors to GCCEC can feel confident in the safety of the centre,” she said. “We are extremely focused on delivering a safe environment and we will not be complacent. “For every event, we require a commitment from our client to adhere to our protocols in order to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19.” The Guild is also working on other measures to keep attendees safe and will keep delegates updated on these measures in the lead-up to the event. APP Chair Kos Sclavos said this may result in changes to the usual format of APP. “Next year we may see a street party with no dancing and where guests may need to be seated,” he said. “This is just one example of how we need to keep everyone safe while running an event that is not only safe, but also allows delegates to have fun and to interact with one another.” APP2021 will take place from May 20-23, 2021 on the Gold Coast. Super earlybird registrations and accommodation bookings will open in September. For more details and to sign up to receive exclusive updates, visit: appconference.com. EVENTS 17 PHARMACY STUDENT OF THE YEAR Running Festival postponed Organisers of the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival have advised that the event scheduled for September 20 has been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation in Australia and its impact on NSW. Earlier in the year, the organisers were provided with a backup date of 8 November. They are hopeful that the event will go ahead on this date, but point out that the NSW government agencies involved in delivering such an event each year include the NSW Police, Transport NSW and Transport Management Centre, NSW Ambulance and NSW Health (plus many other agencies, landowners and stakeholders) which are on the frontline tackling this pandemic with huge amounts of resources dedicated to the task. “We’re hopeful for the event on 8 November and are actively pursuing this, but we have to be realistic and understand that this is subject to the pandemic,” the organisers said. A final decision on the 2020 event will be announced by September 14. For more information visit: info@sydneyrunningfestival.com.au. Kurtis Gray from The University of Western Australia has won the 2020 PSA Mylan Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Award. The strong field of students competing in the national finals were presented with a patient via webcam acting out a variety of symptoms. Following a consultation and given the ability to ask follow-up questions to find out more information, the finalists then recommended a course of treatment and advice to the panel of judges, with Mr Gray declared the winner. “It truly is an honour to be recognised as Pharmacy Student of the Year and I still can’t believe that I won,” he said. “It was a tough competition but a great opportunity for us to put into practice what we’ve learnt. “I really enjoy providing advice about medication to people who are unwell, and this competition enabled me to demonstrate this.” PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman congratulated Mr Gray on his achievement and praised the high level of clinical knowledge and communication skills in this year’s competition. “We saw a very strong field line up this year and it’s great to see such talented and passionate pharmacy students showcasing their skills and knowledge,” he said. “This competition provides students with the opportunity to grow and learn, with active listening, gaining patient insights and patient understanding, important skills that support medicine safety and maximise patient outcomes. “It’s heartening to see the future of our profession in good hands and we were impressed with the overall level of knowledge from students during both the state and national finals.” Thomas Duong from Monash University was awarded the People’s Choice award, with both Mr Gray and Mr Duong being contacted by Associate Professor Freeman and congratulated on their awards. This year’s competition was again sponsored by Mylan, with the winner to receive funding for pharmacy specific education. Mylan Australia Product Manager David Lai said the standard of students competing at this year’s PSOTY was impressive again. “It gives me great confidence to know the future of our pharmacy industry lies within the hands of these students,” he said. “They’ve excelled beyond my expectations.” RETAIL PHARMACY • AUG 2020