On 25 September 2024, we mark World Pharmacists Day – recognising the incredible pharmacists across our global network.
This year’s theme, ‘Pharmacists: Meeting Global Healthcare Needs’, captures the vital role our pharmacists play in patient care, medication safety and quality, and the development of life-saving treatments.
Our pharmacists work in cancer centres, compounding facilities, hospitals, and community pharmacies across oncology, clinical trials, mental health, and more, helping us to bring the best care possible closer to home for more people.
Learn more about their various roles in their profiles below and how they contribute to global healthcare.
A day as a Quality and Clinical Trials Pharmacist
My day consists of supervising Clinical Research Associate visits, liaising with sponsors, budgeting, reviewing trial protocols, and coordinating patient dosing. By the afternoon, I’m handling accountability documentation, preparing batch sheets, and ensuring no new formulations are needed. I deliver training on new protocols and review current staff training and Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).
The global healthcare impact of pharmacy
Pharmacists provide expertise and insight for research protocols. Investigators no longer store products in a locked office cupboard and personally distribute them to patients. With our keen attention for detail and adherence to protocol, pharmacists help to validate the outcomes of studies.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
There are a lot of new guidelines arising in sterile pharmacy compounding, which is improving product quality and patient safety. Clinical trial agents are also becoming more complex, requiring careful evaluation of protocols to ensure our sites are prepared. I’m excited for the adoption of electronic filing and the use of cameras for dose verification, ensuring better verification and accuracy.
A day as an Oncology Pharmacist
Each day I am supplying medication, counselling patients, managing medication, giving advice, assisting consultants to obtain non-PBS medications and problem-solving medication issues. We also work together as a team, keeping communication lines open and keeping medication safety at the forefront. I also seek opportunities to learn from other medical experts.
The global healthcare impact of pharmacy
Pharmacists have specialised pharmaceutical knowledge that assist other healthcare professionals and patients to achieve the best health outcome possible. We also set expectations with patients of what we can do within the scope of our practice, and then working with our multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
At Icon Cancer Centre Wesley, having an onsite pharmacy has made our clinic more efficient and patient friendly. I’m also excited to have a leadership team to shape operational excellence and clinical pharmacy service in private hospital cancer centre is exciting.
A day as a Clinical Pharmacist
As a clinical pharmacist, I answer medication enquiries and provide advice, create ordering templates to facilitate prescribing, and review patient education material. I also support the team in regulatory matters, ensuring our access and safe delivery of medication.
The global healthcare impact of pharmacy
Medications make up a big part of treatment, with many patients on complex regimens. Many online sources can generally tell you medication facts, but having a pharmacist, who can identify key information and tailor usage to a patient’s lifestyle and condition, is so important to ensuring the best possible care.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
We started spending most of our time behind the dispensing counters, but now, with technology taking over manual tasks, pharmacists can do more. Pharmacists can run clinics and participate in multidisciplinary care. I’m excited for pharmacogenomics – by understanding genetic variations, we can select the most appropriate medications and dosages, reducing the trial-and-error approach.
A day as an Oncology Pharmacist
My day involves reviewing medication orders, administering chemotherapy and other medication, and medication counselling. I also work with other health professionals, tailoring treatment plans and monitoring side effects. Oncology pharmacy requires specialised cancer treatment knowledge – handling severe side effects and drug interactions – spending more time educating and counselling patients. It also means keeping up-to-date with treatment and research protocols.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
My role has evolved with electronic health records and digital order systems, improving medication management. We’ve also seen targeted therapies and immunotherapies in recent years – I’m excited to see their impact. Emphasis on patient education and support has additionally become more prevalent, with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient care. These changes have made my job more challenging and rewarding.
A day as a Clinical Trials Pharmacist
My daily responsibilities include coordinating stakeholders, clinical verification of investigational products, and managing product accountability. I work with clinical trial coordinators to initiate new trials, negotiate budgets with sponsors, and facilitate audits. I also facilitate delivery of products to hospitals and patients’ homes.
The global healthcare impact of pharmacy
By minimising medication errors and preventing harm, we ensure safe and effective treatments. Working closely with doctors and healthcare professionals, we provide expert, evidence-based guidance that enhances patient outcomes and support the overall success of the healthcare team.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
Initially, we managed documentation like logs, training, and product accountability, especially in the clinical trials space, manually. But now digital tools have automated these tasks, making the work more efficient and precise. It now lets me focus more on clinical aspects like verification and improving patient care. Looking ahead, I’m excited about how AI is further enhancing our impact.
A day as a clinical trials pharmacist
I work closely with our pharmacy and research teams to support a variety of clinical trials, from assessing new therapies to ensuring medications are compounded safely and efficiently. I also help manage complex phase one trials and review new protocols.
The role of a pharmacist in clinical trials
My team and I ensure all processes are followed meticulously to protect the integrity of the trials, leading to new medications becoming available. We see firsthand how these trials can extend the lives of patients and it’s a privilege to know the work we’re doing contributes to treatments.
The global impact of pharmacy
At Icon, we have been part of trials for life-changing medications, such as the breast cancer drug Ribociclib. Though we might be one small site in a global trial, but every patient we help contributes to the bigger picture of getting these drugs to market. Pharmacists are at the heart of ensuring medication safety and making sure patients have access to the best possible care.
The global healthcare impact of pharmacy
Pharmacists play a vital role in preventing medication misuse, ensuring patients receive safe and effective care. Incorrect prescriptions, dosages, or improper medication affects both the patient and the healthcare system, leading to worsened health conditions and rising healthcare costs. However, with the expertise of a pharmacist in any team, these risks are significantly reduced, promoting better health outcomes.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
The role of pharmacy has evolved with advancements in technology, now using electronic health records for data management, automated dispensing systems, and telepharmacy to expand access. These innovations enhance medication management, patient safety, and facilitate personalised care, transforming pharmacists into integral healthcare providers. I look forward to seeing how all these advancements evolve, especially with pharmogenomics, smart packaging and automation.
A day as a Quality Pharmacist Supervisor
My daily responsibility involves collaborating with my team and coordinating with the production department, to ensure patients receive their treatments without any delays, while maintaining the integrity of our quality standards throughout the process.
The global healthcare impact of pharmacy
As pharmacists, patient safety is our priority, and we ensure the quality of the final product is uncompromised. We are crucial in the treatment process, counselling patients and guiding them to the right care, demonstrating pharmacists do much more than dispense medication. With new legislation, we also will continue to expand our scope of practice in the community.
Innovations and the future of pharmacy
Since becoming a pharmacist, I’ve seen significant changes that enhance patient safety and care. For example, e-prescriptions and telehealth give patients instant access to healthcare and prescription management. I’m excited to see more regulations and the expansion of the pharmacist role – prescribing for common conditions – all aimed at reducing the burden on our healthcare system and significantly improving community health.
We’re committed to providing the support and opportunities our pharmacists need to continue making a meaningful impact. Slade Pharmacy’s recent national accreditation of Advanced Pharmacy Australia’s Resident Training Program is a recent example of Icon’s dedication to nurturing early career pharmacists and providing ongoing professional development opportunities to elevate the field of pharmacy and deliver quality, best-in-class pharmacy services to more people and communities.
Learn more about a pharmacy career at Icon.
Careers at Icon
Pharmacy Pre-Registration Program
Transitioning to Hospital Pharmacy
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