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EVENTS
The Pharmaceuticals Summit

A Tribute to Kevin McAnuff
CON BERBATIS
Pharmacy Researcher

Editor's Note: The following three summaries of the late Kevin McAnuff's career , tributes from a variety of sources and his largely unrecognised national role to pharmacy in Australia are reported by long-time friend and pharmacy practice researcher Con Berbatis.
McAnuff was no ordinary pharmacist. He was a driver of a transformation in Australia's modern community pharmacy practice which had its direct origins in the CAPS group in 1989 and evolved into the Third Community Pharmacy Agreement (2000-2005) .
McAnuff was preparing for the Fourth Agreement in Canberra, away from his home in Perth, at the time of his sudden passing.

A Matter for Contemplation
KEN STAFFORD
Consultant Pharmacist Perspective

Last weekend, within mere hours of each other, the lives of two men came to a tragic end. Active advocates for their chosen fields, funeral services for both will be held today.
This, however, is where the similarities end.

The Power and the Glory
MARK COLEMAN
Medical Centre Pharmacist

A recent press report indicated that the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) had patented key aspects of the MediConnect system, currently undergoing limited trials in Victoria and Tasmania.
In March 2002, the PGA lodged an international patent application for a "method and system for sharing personal health data", naming as inventors Vasken Demirian, Philip Dibben (both PGA officials) and Trevor Sinclair, of CR Group, a consultancy firm engaged by the PGA.
This is indeed a curious turn of events, given that what the PGA has patented is intellectual input from open, shared and public debate, that also included discussions with many consultants and individual professionals within the same framework.
Why would not all the above be entitled to a claim of being "co-patent holders"?
What sort of a game is the PGA playing?

Pharma-Goss
with Rollo Manning
Columnist

Editor's Note: This month, Rollo has changed his style and is providing a news column to cover a wider range of pharmacy happenings and events.
* Ibuprofen gets to shock jocks
* You can't have it both ways
* Watch this space
* My quote of the month

Professional Competency-Where are we Going?
KARALYN HUXHAGEN
PSA Councilor Perspective

On the 15th December of 2003, the updated and amended "Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2003" was launched by Professor Lloyd Sansom. The publication of this document is the result of a great deal of work from a project entitled 'Enhancing the value of the pharmacists through augmented competency standards and targeted professional practice standards.'

Postinor - What's all the Fuss?
SIMON RUDDERHAM
New Community Pharmacist Proprietor

As of the first day of 2004, the controversial drug postinor is available as a schedule three (pharmacist only) medicine.
In the two months prior to the down scheduling, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia produced documents outlining a correct procedure for supply of the medication, taking into account the issues of privacy, as well as supply to a third person.

Storm and Tempest
NEIL JOHNSTON
Management Consultant Perspective

I am picking up on a number of issues that were left in abeyance in December 2003.
The old year finished on a few anxious notes, and while there has been a lull in the proceedings generally, the year may yet be a hot and difficult one.
One thing will be certain, and that is pharmacy can ill afford to let its guard drop - under any circumstances.

The Good, the Bad and the Downright Ugly.
CATHERINE BRONGER
From a Student Perspective

Are student's assets or liabilities?
What are we motivated by?
And who are we to become?
Last year I applied for a job in one of the largest city pharmacies only to be told that they did not hire students.
I was aware that casual students are more expensive to employ than casual staff, I was aware that students have restricted working hours, I was aware that students make mistakes and I was aware that during exams many students refuse to work.
However I was not prepared for this very young pharmacists reasoning "I cannot get students out of the dispensary."

Perils and Parallels-
NCP, Liquor and Pharmacy Legislation
JAMES ELLERSON
A Marketing Consultant Perspective

In 1995, the states of Australia signed up to a National Competition Policy (NCP) which required each of the states to review all anti-competitive laws.
Financial incentives were offered for this to occur, and in the case of NSW, an amount of $254.4 million was to be paid last month.
Instead it received $203.5 million, a shortfall of $50.9 million.

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