APESMA Boost For Pharmacists' Support Service, Australia

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 13 Oct 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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A unique support and counseling service for pharmacists has been given financial support by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia, a not-for-profit industrial relations organisation representing employee pharmacists.

The Pharmacists' Support Service, managed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria and soon to be available nationally, has been in operation for 14 years and offers support for pharmacists in times of stress and crisis.

Chair of the Pharmacists' Support Service, Michael Scavone, said APESMA had donated $2500 to the PSS in recognition of the work the service conducts.

"The services PSS conducts are vital and the service is operated 24 hours a day by volunteer pharmacists who have been trained in telephone counselling," Mr Scavone said. "Our volunteers are trained to listen to any problem that pharmacists might encounter and to then help find the most appropriate advice or solution when it is needed. "In addition, these volunteers are supported by an extensive network of professional counsellors and support groups to ensure the distressed caller gets the best advice and help available."

Mr Scavone said the APESMA donation was important as it highlighted the growing recognition of the PSS and the work it conducts for all pharmacists, interns and pharmacy students.

"The service relies on donations like this and we are very grateful to APESMA for its generosity," Mr Scavone said.

"To facilitate similar donations in the future, PSS has begun proceedings to move to an Incorporated Association and this will facilitate application to the ATO for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

"Obtaining DGR status will facilitate the process of making donations to the service and also make such gifts more attractive to those wanting to make them."

Source
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia