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patients could submit queries as well as buy products online for delivery or click and collect. • Having telehealth consultations. • Providing visibility of stock availability. • Training staff for remote assistance as well as home delivery with a difference. • Understanding local circumstances and the position of your pharmacy would help you understand which opportunities would be open to you and where you may need to examine your business model given the new way people would shop. Other stories making highlights at this time • The RECOVERY (Randomised evaluation of Covid-19 therapy) trial in the UK, which had been established to test a range of potential treatments for Covid-19, including low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid treatment), revealed some promising results. • Following the interim decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to block the sale of ‘heat not burn’ tobacco products in Australia, the RACGP released a statement welcoming the decision. • The first new cholesterol data in a decade revealed that almost half of those most at risk of cardiovascular • disease (CVD) were failing to adequately control cholesterol, suggesting management of CVD had a long way to go. • TerryWhite Chemmart launched a new consumer campaign that included • information for pharmacists and their staff on non-medical pain management solutions, up-to-date advice from allied health professionals, and new Real talk webinar sessions. • • The new partnership between MedAdvisor and Pharmacy Alliance ensured MedAdvisor’s medication management mobile app would be available to more than 750 independent pharmacies in the Pharmacy Alliance network. • The Pharmacy Guild announced that community pharmacies in • Queensland were ready to support the state government in rapidly deploying the Covid-19 vaccine when it became available. • The Northern Territory government announced that pharmacists would ANNUAL REPORT 29 be allowed to administer vaccinations outside of a community pharmacy. Sigma launched Sigma Academy, a learning and development program available to all Amcal and Guardian Pharmacies to deliver an interactive learning experience for all levels of pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) board re-elected Associate Professor Chris Freeman as National President of the peak body for pharmacists. PBS reimbursement for GSK’s new pre-filled pen (autoinjector) for the self- administration of its biologic treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma, Nucala (mepolizumab), gave healthcare professionals and patients greater choice around the administration of treatment, which could be at home or in-clinic. The ‘Urinary tract infection pharmacy pilot – Queensland’ reached a key milestone with the state government releasing the ‘Drug therapy protocol – pharmacist UTI trial’. The endorsed model of care enabled eligible TO PAGE 30 Vaccine & Pharmacy Refrigerators Superior Performance – Vaccines and refrigerated medicines can be securely stored between +2oC and +8oC. Quality – Quality Care Pharmacy Program compliant and purpose-built to meet the stringent standards needed by your pharmacy. Reliability – Factory tested to IEC 60068-3-5 for optimal temperature stability and consistency. Safety – Integrated data memory logs min/max temperature, audible/visual alarms alert users of temperature breaches and locks to protect against unauthorised access. Energy Efficient – Energy consumption is low which means you enjoy significant running cost savings. Quality, Design and Innovation andico.com.au/products/liebherr-biomedical RETAIL PHARMACY • NOV/DEC 2020