An Opportunity to Compare our Services

Abstract

ence did not provide any definite answers, it is important to realise that change is inevitable. We must either move with the change or make the change happen, for without change, the profession will not progress, or worse, suffer a demise. As George Bernard Shaw quoted 'progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything'.IT changes should provide opportunities for us. So, while we may not understand or need to understand all aspects of the changes fully, we must understand the implications and how to best utilise new and evolving resources and opportunities. As I sit here typing on my PC with limited IT, but with expanding potential, I thank SHPA and the DBL Development Fund for the opportunity to contemplate and plan, with an international perspective, what will be the next 20 years in the profession of pharmacy.

Better medication management for Aboriginal people with mental health disorders: a survey of providers

“…Major issues impacting on quality use of medicines were drug and alcohol misuse, cost, compliance, feelings about the value of medicines, sharing of medications and unwanted side‐effects. These findings confirm and extend those from our previous research, 8,9 other components of the wider project 1 and recent publications from other research groups 10–15 …”

“…Mental health disorders (problems of social and emotional well‐being) are widespread among Aboriginal people, 2,4–6 and often complicated by other chronic illness and/or substance misuse 7 . Quality medication management, including safe handling, storage, transport and administration, can be difficult for Aboriginal clients, their carers or family members 8–15 . Evidence suggests that unsafe or inappropriate use of medicines is common, with potentially damaging physical, social and economic consequences 8,16,17 .…”