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Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation
2012/13 EDITION
AWARD
WINNING
GRADUATES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
CSU award-winning graduates
Five ways to success in small business
Robert’s gift to research
NAPSA
CSU 2012
rundown
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 1
Welcome
CONTENTS
from Associate Professor Lyn Angel, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences.
It is a privilege to
head the School
of Biomedical
Sciences at CSU.
The School is a
multidisciplinary
school, where
the students
engage with peers from across a range of
health (animal and human) courses in a
setting which gives full access to academics
who have a wide range of expertise, from
biochemistry to microbiology, to respiratory
physiology, asthma management, pathology,
neuroscience, genetics, ethics and of course
those intimately part of the pharmacy
profession and discipline, who bring their
passion and lateral thinking to the course and
student learning experience.
We have recently provided our pharmacy
students with opportunities not seen in other
pharmacy programs including vaccination,
mental health with a focus on Indigenous
health, and business qualifications.
CSU has a huge commitment university-wide
to workplace learning and hence our staff and
students have a much greater understanding
of workplace learning requirements,
specific needs and related issues.
We ensure our pharmacy placement exposure
is varied from rural or remote Indigenous
communities, to metropolitan community and
hospital environments.
Welcome2
Wagga Wagga, and those currently being
developed at our Orange Campus, and
regular engagement with guest lecturers
through audiovisual technology across our
two campuses, ensures our students enjoy
a varied, rigorous and challenging learning
environment.
The CSU Pharmacy Foundation is actively
committed to supporting the School’s
pharmacy program to ensure we continue to
provide a unique learning experience for our
students as they prepare to join the pharmacy
profession, such a highly respected health
profession.
This type of experience, combined with
state-of-the-art on campus facilities,
such as the virtual pharmacy facilities in
Introduction3
4
Award-winning graduates
5
Hi, I’m a first-year
6
Research at CSU
7
NAPSA Congress
8
Going outback
10
The CSU international
experience13
INTRODUCTION
It is with great pleasure that I greet our graduates and supporters of the Bachelor of Pharmacy
at Charles Sturt University (CSU).
“We have recently provided our pharmacy students with
opportunities not seen in other pharmacy programs...”
Robert’s gift to research
At the beginning of this year I moved to CSU from the position of Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
at James Cook University. It is a privilege and an honour to be taking on the role of
Vice-Chancellor of CSU and I look forward to building on the enormous contribution CSU has
made to rural and regional Australia.
What is your competitive
edge?
14
Staff profile
16
Spotlight on alumni
17
Five reasons to study
Small Business Management
18
Pharmacy Foundation
membership
20
On joining CSU I have been really struck by the affection that staff, students and alumni have
for the University and I have found it a very welcoming community. I have chosen to work in
the university sector because education and research seem to me to be unquestioned areas
of public good and, in particular, I really enjoy the strong contribution that regionally based
universities make to their communities.
I am committed to advancing the University’s essential partnerships with our stakeholders and
continuing to ensure our resources are targeted so that our facilities, curriculum and staff are all
focussed on meeting the needs of students and our communities.
Pharmacy Committee
Thank you for maintaining an interest in Charles Sturt University and its Pharmacy program and
I look forward to working in partnership with you all in the future.
Mr Dick Marris
Chair
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0437 350 906
Professor Patrick Ball
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 6933 2445
Mrs Meagan Gunn (nee Doyle)
Vice-Chair
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 6862 2411
Mr Michael Flannery
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 9248 2611
Associate Professor Lyn Angel
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 6933 2836
Mr Peter Gissing
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0419 358 063
PAGE 2 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
Mr Paul Mahoney
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 9638 7831
Mr Malcolm Rosborough
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0412 727 092
Professor Andrew Vann
Vice-Chancellor and President
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 3
Associate Professor Lyn Angel, Head of the School of
Biomedical Sciences (left) unveils the new microscope
gifted to the School of Biomedical Sciences with
Robert and Diane Lazzarini.
Award-winning
GraduATES
“I have a research thread looking at
the problems arising with medications
in parenteral (IV) fluid systems or
‘drips’,” Professor Ball said.
“A lot of this work is looking for small
particles trapped on filter membranes
or changes to emulsified lipid droplets.
For this work I previously had a 1962
vintage Leitz monocular microscope.
PAGE 4 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
“We anticipate this will support research
activities for at least another 10 to 15 years.”
“After wide consultation within the
Pharmacy group and the wider
School of Biomedical Sciences it
became apparent that the purchase
of a new state-of-the-art microscope
system with digital imaging would
fit within the available resources
and not only significantly facilitate
my research, but also contribute
to the needs of a number of other
researchers,” he said.
After approval, an end-of-line
microscope was purchased at a
significant discount, making the
donation stretch still further.
“We now have a current, fully
integrated package from a
top-line manufacturer (Nikon) capable
of a range of additional techniques
including fluorescence, compared
“I am very much enjoying my life as a
pharmacist and pharmacy owner, despite the
lack of sleep,” Sally said.
Sally Whiting won the award in 2011 having
graduated from CSU in Orange in 2010, with
first-class Honours. She then undertook her
intern year in Mudgee before returning to
Orange to commence work as a registered
pharmacist in December 2010 at Blooms the
Chemist in Orange.
“Completing my intern year in a rural
setting provided me with a diverse range
of opportunities to apply my knowledge,
enthusiasm and to help improve people’s
quality of life. In rural areas people have
less access to health services which further
emphasises the role the pharmacist plays
within the community.
An opportunity to enter the world of pharmacy
ownership arose and on 16 December
2011, Sally became a part-owner of two
pharmacies, Blooms the Chemist Mudgee
(formerly Rozanna’s Pharmacy) and Southside
Pharmacy Mudgee. Her business partner is
Alexandra Keipert, also a CSU graduate who
was Sally’s preceptor in 2010.
Robert’s Gift
to Research
Robert and Diane
Lazzarini gifted
$25,000 to the
Charles Sturt
University School
of Biomedical
Sciences for
pharmaceutical
research, leaving
the specific use
of the donation
to Patrick Ball,
Foundation Professor of Rural
Pharmacy.
The Pharmacy Guild of NSW has awarded its
2011 and 2012 awards for NSW Intern of the
Year to graduates of CSU’s Pharmacy course.
to the previous instrument, and with
a much more sophisticated, fully
integrated digital imaging system.
“We anticipate this will support a
range of research activities within
the School for at least another
10 to 15 years. This will make existing
projects much easier and quicker
to do compared to the previous
system and provide support in the
wider school for a range of possible
projects that the previous system
could not.
“We are extremely grateful to Robert
and Diane for this most generous gift.
The overall research capability of the
Pharmacy program and the School
of Biomedical Sciences has been
significantly enhanced.”
“My entry into the workforce has been very
rewarding and fulfilling. Owning a pharmacy
was something I had always dreamed to one
day do, however I hadn’t anticipated it to
occur so early in my career. I am very grateful
for the fantastic opportunity which has
presented me with a new array of challenges
and many more learning opportunities.
Daniel Flavel - CSU graduate
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
“It has been a long and rewarding
journey since I first moved to Orange as
an uncertain 18-year-old in 2008. I have
completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy
with first-class Honours, been awarded
the University Medal for outstanding
academic excellence throughout my
degree, married and started a family.
“I think my hard work and dedication at
university, combined with my year practising
in a rural pharmacy, helped me to win the
NSW Intern of the Year. The award meant a lot
to me, it was humbling to be acknowledged
by my peers.
“CSU taught me to problem-solve and locate
the information I require in a timely manner.
These skills are invaluable in the pharmacy
setting on a daily basis. CSU also taught me
to be a self-starter and to take the initiative
needed to reach my goals.
“Charles Sturt University maintains
a high standard of education and
this was one of the attractions of the
Orange Campus. I preferred a rural
university where I would be able to feel
more at home. I found that the class
sizes were smaller, which meant that I
was able to get to know the lecturers
and they were able to get to know me.
The teaching staff were approachable,
available to answer questions and were
very willing to invest in us as students.
“Throughout my studies it has been
really important for me to be able to
connect with pharmacists practising in
rural NSW. I was mentored throughout
my degree by Ian Howle from Tamworth.
I also had the opportunity to work at
several CountryPharm pharmacies
“Have fun, enjoy your
time at university. I
can assure you that
the sleep-ins and
mid-week bar nights
don’t continue on
once you start practising as
a pharmacist. Time management is the key
to success. Grab hold of any opportunity you
are presented with and make the most of it.
Challenge yourself. Who knows what you’re
capable of achieving.”
Jane Smithard won the award in 2012
having graduated from CSU in 2011. Jane
secured her internship in Wagga Wagga,
split between the public and private hospitals
at Australian Pharmaceutical Healthcare
Systems (APHS) Pharmacy Wagga at Calvary
Hospital and Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.
“I was soon offered a position as the sole
pharmacist at the private hospital which I,
of course, accepted, as an opportunity like
that doesn’t present itself every day. My
acceptance was not without a little fear of the
new role of being a manager after only just
becoming a fully-fledged pharmacist.”
during my studies. These influences
have helped to shape the pharmacist
that I am today and I am grateful for
their time and efforts. I have also been
greatly influenced by Kate Gray and all
of the staff at Peter Smith Chemmart.
“To those budding pharmacists and
pharmacy students out there, I would
say that you should work as hard at
university as possible to get the most
out of the course because you are
going to need every bit of it when
you graduate.
“Try to get as much experience in
pharmacies and talk to as many
pharmacists as possible. Make sure
that you take the time to enjoy your
studies!”
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 5
Hi, I’m
a FirstYear
Morgan Kennedy
Bachelor of Pharmacy first-year student,
Year Representative 2012
Pharmers’ Society for Pharmacy Students
“It has been quite an experience to be a
first-year pharmacy student at Charles
Sturt University and being part of Pharmers
has made that experience all the more
worthwhile. Getting into the rhythm of being
a university student trying to maintain a study
pattern and complete all assessments has
been a bit of a juggle, but it seems that most
are settling in quite well.
“Apart from studying we have come to realise
that university can also be a constant party
with events happening every other night.
Being a part of Pharmers has also allowed a
lot of first-years to settle in and has been a
great way to allow us to make friends, receive
advice from different years and has helped
us to become even more enthused about
becoming pharmacists.”
Jack Buckley
Bachelor of Pharmacy first-year student
“This year I was elected the first-year representative for
the Orange Pharmacy Students Association (OPSA). This
opportunity has broadened my perspective on all aspects of
pharmacy, from what CSU offers to who’s who in the industry.
“OPSA is a great support network for students. They not only
offer advice on the course itself, they supply support material such as discounted textbooks and
also arrange social events across all universities so we can get to know our future colleagues.
“This has sculpted my goals and what I want to achieve in pharmacy, which is to stay in a
rural context, as the role of a pharmacist is much greater and more challenging than that of
a metropolitan pharmacist. This is often due to the pharmacist being the first port of call to
consumers with limited availability of resources in the health care system in rural areas. I also
hope to work with Indigenous Australians as it offers a complex and challenging opportunity to
decrease the mortality rate of Indigenous people, particularly in rural Australia.
“Overall, my first six months at CSU has been a very rewarding and interesting journey.
I look forward to what the future of CSU and the pharmaceutical industry has to offer!”
Need a
pick-me-up?
CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY Foundation
Scholarships
Apply online from 4 September 2012
Continuing students applications close 11 November 2012
Accommodation applications close 16 January 2013
First-year students applications close 10 February 2013
Apply now: www.csu.edu.au/scholarships/foundation
PAGE 6 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
Highlights of Pharmacy research at Charles Sturt University
“Our lecturers here in Orange offer great provision to all students. Small class sizes are
pivotal to developing good relations leading to success. Michael Flannery (pharmacist and
entrepreneur) has been a great role model to me. He has offered me advice on why to choose
pharmacy and the future that the industry may face. He has also given me the opportunity of
continual work experience so I gather an understanding of the profession, in particular in a
rural context.
Applying is easy!
Photo: Morgan Kennedy receives her CSU
Foundation Scholarship from CSU Pharmacy
committee representative Mr Peter Gissing,
after whom the scholarship is named.
Research at CSU
Australian native plants under
investigation for drug development
Under the direction of Dr Philip
G. Kerr and Dr Ross Kennedy,
researchers at CSU are studying
Australian native plants as sources
of effective medicines for a range of
disease states. Specifically targeted
are cancer, diabetes and neurological
disorders. Also under the eye are
antimicrobial effects of some of our
desert flora. Dr Kennedy’s special
focus is the development of controlled
release formulations of drugs for
internal use and external application.
Senior post-doctoral fellow,
Dr Ashok K Balaraman, is working
on a local member of the plant
family Goodeniaceae with a view to
identifying the antidiabetic properties
found in the plant and related species.
Master of Pharmacy student, Sunil
Varikuti, is investigating the release
characteristics of compounds found
in a paperbark species. This project is
aimed at developing topical treatments
for skin cancer, including melanoma.
Honours graduate, Tapash Sarker,
has made the first forays into using
thin layer chromatography as a way
of investigating the antimicrobial
properties of leaf extracts of a
number of semi-arid plant species
from the families Myoporaceae and
Goodeniaceae.
Anti-mycobacterial drug discovery
One pharmacy town research
Throughout the world, more than
2 billion people have been infected
with the causative agent of
tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. About 10% of that
population will go on to develop
active TB during their lifetime. The
present multi-drug therapy for TB
takes approximately six months of
constant treatment to be effective in
curing the disease.
Most Australians will spend their
last 30 years taking at least one
medication and their last 10
years taking multiple medications
(Medicare, 2009). Australians are
living longer but the burden of chronic
disease is increasing (Australian
Bureau Statistics, 2005). The more
the disease advances, the more
expensive it becomes to manage.
Medication adherence is reported
to only be between 20% and 33%
(World Health Organization, 2003).
Patients with a chronic disease must
collect prescription repeats every
month, creating an opportunity for
further regular intervention.
Multi-drug resistant strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis are
now present in many countries
and are extremely difficult to treat.
The unusual, waxy cell wall of the
bacterium and its slow growth rate
makes this bacterium difficult to
penetrate or attack.
The standard live vaccine, developed
from Mycobacterium bovis, has a
relatively low efficacy. There is a need
to develop new anti-tuberculosis
drugs to ensure that treatment
remains available.
Researchers:
Dr Gregg Maynard and
Peter Anderson
Rural and remote pharmacies
provide more intensive support,
clinical intervention and monitoring
to selected elderly patients with
chronic disease to assess whether
the additional input by pharmacists
is of specific benefit in small rural
communities.
Researchers:
Ms Hana Morrissey and
Professor Patrick Ball
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 7
NAPSA CONGRESS
CSU 22-28 january 2012
• Associate Professor Lyn Angel – “Ethics:
Ethical reasoning and ethical practice
as individuals, community members,
researchers, health professionals and
leaders”
• Dr Lisa Nissen – “Pharmacists sans
frontiers”
The National Australian Pharmacy Students
Association (NAPSA) is a national body that
represents approximately 3,500 of Australia’s
pharmacy students and their interests, and
is shaping this ever-changing industry. This
dedicated committee, comprised of 17
universities, begins each calendar year with
what can only be described as the ultimate
pharmacy student experience.
• Pat Howard – “The degree is only the
beginning”
• Matt Cane – Project Coordinator at
Health Workforce Australia
• AMH 2012
• Rural session
NAPSA Congress is a week-long event where
250 pharmacy students from around the
nation invade a single city for seven days,
comprising educational sessions, networking
and intellectual debate.
• F ran Vaughn – “Pharmacists in remote
–we need ‘em”
• Lindy Swain and Lloyd Smith – “Pushing
the boundaries in rural health”
So what does this have to do with Wagga
Wagga? Well, two years ago a group of very
dedicated individuals (all pharmacy students)
from the Pharmers’ Society Wagga Wagga
had a crazy idea, to host a NAPSA Congress.
The WWCOC consisted of Sean Dodd
(Congress Chair), Jaya Mohan (Vice
President), Pina O’Hare (Secretary),
Bashar Ikbarieh (Treasurer), Lauren Ryan
(Registrations and Volunteers Chair),
Laura Grasso (Social Chair), Marion Hyde
Page (Social Chair), Thomas Ewin (Linguistics
Chair), Chris Hill (Linguistics Chair) and
Sarah Glyde (Education Chair).
PAGE 8 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
• Keynote Speaker – John Jackson
• Vice-Chancellor Charles Sturt University –
Professor Andrew Vann
by Laura Tomarchio
Bachelor of Pharmacy third-year student
CSU in Wagga Wagga
President – Pharmers’ Society 2012.
Many said it couldn’t be done and that no
regional centre had ever hosted such an
event. Despite all these remarks, a bid to host
the 2012 NAPSA Congress was submitted.
All of their efforts paid off when Wagga
Wagga was granted the honour of providing
pharmacy with the ultimate rural experience,
and the Wagga Wagga Congress Organising
Committee (WWCOC) was formed.
Speakers who presented included:
• Ben Crough – “National rural health
student’s network”
• Walter Mikac - “Unlocking your potential”
• Andrew Rewell - “A vibrant future for retail
pharmacy… all it needs is you”
NAPSA Congress Wagga Wagga 2012 – Broadening Horizons
Pharmacy students all over Australia wait for one event every year and
no, it’s not the High Distinction in our transcripts, celebratory drinks after
a stressful exam week or the long-awaited graduation ceremony. It’s
NAPSA’s annual Congress.
• Interactive sessions: wine and cheese
tasting, interview skills, CV planning, and
ethics in health
To make the most of the week for all
participants, nightly social events profiling the
best of rural lifestyle were run which really
helped to cement long-lasting friendships.
The NAPSA Congress in Wagga Wagga was
hailed a success by all those involved in any
aspect of the pharmacy students’ biggest
event of the year. It was an enlightening
experience that everyone should get involved
in and be a part of.
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsor
• Compounding challenge
• NAPSA chair updates
• Dr Scott Andrews – “Veterinary pharmacy”
The next 18 months of their lives consisted of
meetings, debates and planning. Finally the
week was approaching. The Wagga Wagga
Congress was held from 22 to 28 January
2012 and jam-packed into these seven
long days were some of the most amazing,
inspirational and prominent speakers that
shape our industry.
Sponsors of NAPSA Congress
• Panel – Discussion topics:
(Moderator: George John)
- Patrick Ball
-Nick Logan
- Chris Owen
Bronze Sponsors
Pharmers’
Society
CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
• Pharmacy Student of the Year - Finals
• Grant Kadarchi – PSA President –
“Current climate in pharmacy”
SCHOOL OF
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
AUSTRALIAN MEDICINES HANDBOOK
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 9
going
outback...
“Experience and appreciation of rural health and
possibility to retain those students to serve in a rural
post may be influenced positively by this placement”
Students were treated to a walk through
bushland where they were given the
opportunity to try a range of traditional
medicinal plants and foods.
by Hana Morrissey
Mogila Station placement 15 to 21
April 2012 proved to be a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On August 29 2011, the Head of
the School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Lyndall Angel,
Hana Morrissey and Professor
Patrick Ball, guided by John Nolan,
conducted a visit to Mogila Station
to determine suitability for fourth-year
pharmacy students’ placement.
The bus destined for Orange left
CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus at
6am on 15 April with nine students,
driven by Professor Ball. The group
met up with an additional seven
students from Orange and subject
coordinator and lecturer, Hana
Morrissey, at Mogila Station nine
kilometres north-east of Goodooga,
NSW.
The group was joined by John Nolan
for the first culture brief over lunch in
Dubbo before they arrived at Mogila
Station and were hosted by Michael
Anderson and his wife, Jutta. Michael
(Nyoongar Ghurradjong Murri Ghillar)
is the leader of the Euahlayi tribe, a
trained lawyer, government advisor
and international expert in the rights
of Indigenous people. The students
gained an understanding of the
Aboriginal culture, the rural Australian
way of living and pros and cons of
the remote health system.
The information passed from the community
Elders to CSU students was priceless. We
were welcomed as a group of people who
were visiting the community with aims to form
friendships, an understanding of Aboriginal
culture and to provide advice on quality and
safe use of medicine.
We were told that many visiting ‘outsiders’
were thought to have ulterior motives, with
aims to use the people and their knowledge
to serve their own agendas. The communities
opened up to the students with a great
deal of cultural and personal information.
They allowed the students to visit sacred
areas where few others have been allowed,
including the traditional cemeteries, and old
camps where people were forcibly removed
and imprisoned in the protected missions.
Political issues that currently affect Aboriginal
people were discussed with the students
while our host conducted a radio interview on
the National Indigenous Radio Service. CSU,
the students, and the Pharmacy program,
were formally introduced and acknowledged
by the host, Tiger.
Land rights, the tent embassy and Indigenous
Anzac Day representation was discussed
during the interview. Tiger also spoke about the
treatment of Indigenous Australians in law and
social policy over the years since settlement.
PAGE 10 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
Participation in farming and rural activities
was an eye-opening experience for students
who took part in activities they never
imagined existed and were able to gain an
Aboriginal perspective. They bottle-fed lambs
and joeys and enjoyed barbecue lunches
with Aboriginal communities from Walgett,
Weimoringle, Goodooga, Collarenebri and
Brewarrina. The students also visited opal
outlets in Lightning Ridge and were given
a lesson in opal formation and how to
determine opal quality. One group of students
learned how to rescue a joey when they found
a roadkill kangaroo.
The outback activities continued with
catching mud crabs, where students learned
how to preserve the breeding population and
how to cast and retrieve the net. Fishing was
also quite the experience with students given
tips on which fish could be caught and eaten,
and the fish that must never return to the
water after being caught as they destroy the
river system.
This was followed by a lesson in sheep
shearing covering the entire process from
how to pick up the sheep to immobilising,
shearing then releasing it into the paddock
through the shaft. Students were also taught
the difference between wool quality, how to
fold and pick up the wool, throw it on the
roller and the process of extracting lanolin.
Riding quad bikes on unsealed road was a
highlight for many of the students. Students
put their riding skills to the test when they
went pig and emu hunting on the bikes
with locals. As this activity was a first for all
students involved, our host took the students
hunting for the following two nights. It was an
unforgettable experience for them to ‘hunt to
eat’ rather than just hunt for sport.
We ate one of the pigs which was cooked
on an outdoor spit roasted on a woodfire as
well as an emu, which was another first for
the students. They also became familiar with
the stress of having brown snakes around
the animals and how the locals kill them. Our
hosts further shared their culture by providing
a special home-cooked dinner for our Muslim
and Hindu students.
The Aboriginal cemetery at Collarenebri with
its fired glass decorated graves was amazing.
Each grave is a unique piece of art that
reflects in the sunlight during the day.
Being at the camp sites was a very emotional
experience, with the original eating and
drinking utensils and bottles of Aboriginal
ancestors being used. This drew a powerful
historical picture. The students also visited
the famous natural fish traps and a display of
traditional hunting tools at Brewarrina.
Students became acquainted with the
health system and local health facilities at
Goodooga, Collarenebri and Brewarrina.
They learned the different methods of patient
evacuation and local ambulance capability,
the difference between rotary and fixed wing
evacuation, the ‘golden hour’ for patient
treatment and the limitations during flood
seasons. They gained an understanding of the
value of outreach programs, the Royal Flying
Doctor Service and VTC-medicine stationary
facility and mobile.
Students became aware of the difficulties
facing the health system in providing
sufficient services including beds for
maternity, mental health patients, drug and
alcohol detoxification and hospital elderly
residential beds allocation.
They also learned the advantages and
disadvantages of having a permanent versus
agency health staff and became aware of the
higher disease prevalence and the difficulty
of managing patients on renal dialysis when
they visited the renal dialysis unit.
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 11
Students learned about Schedule 100
supply arrangements for remote Aboriginal
communities and the Closing the Gap
program. They saw medication rooms,
medication supply to rural areas, imprest
stock and pre-dispensed lines, access to
medications, charges difference in hospital
and in primary health services, residential
medication management review versus
home medication review, GP chronic disease
management plan and collaboration with
pharmacy. They learned about the different
nursing classifications, including how they
affect the authority to administer medication
to patients.
They learned about Australia’s reciprocal
health care agreements with other countries,
due to the large number of visiting seasonal
backpackers working as farm hands, as
well as prescriptions, medication orders and
patients’ records security.
The students saw the advanced trauma
trolley medications set up, spill kits and
how vaccines and antivenoms are stored
and the cold chain maintained. They saw
how S8 disposal in rural areas is handled
and developed an understanding of the
importance of medication standing orders,
nurse initiated medications and Aboriginal
health workers medication protocols.
The cultural awareness outcome was
undoubtedly beneficial. A daily debriefing
in the bus was an important element to
prevent any emotional trauma from some
of the strong messages that came across.
Experience and appreciation of rural health
and possibility to retain those students
to serve in rural posts may be influenced
positively by this placement.
CSU Alumni
Links for life
• Stay in touch
• Lifelong learning
• Member benefits
Stay connected at:
www.csu.edu.au/alumni
facebook.com/charlessturtalumni
The CSU International
Experience
Globally, pharmacy practice and education are undergoing unprecedented change as the role of the pharmacist as a provider of
health care services is increasingly recognised, valued, and expanded.
Pharmacy practice, pharmacy education and
quality assurance systems for education differ
from country to country. While developments
in practice and education are reducing this
diversity, current differences on a global scale
are still considered to be fairly significant.
The World Health Organization has concluded
that in many countries health care targets
cannot be realised until capacity is built in the
health care system.
As part of the CSU degree initiative,
internationalisation of the curriculum and
incorporating an international theme into the
undergraduate degree, global contexts have
been promoted.
cultural factors which may facilitate students’
employment both in Australia and overseas.
In December 2010, George John led 10 CSU
students to India as part of an in-depth rural
and public health rotation for students to work
with local doctors on mobile vans, hospitals,
clinics and at AIDS / HIV interventions.
The program combined work on a mobile
health van, small local hospitals and field trips
to see leprosy projects and cataract surgeries.
A visit to an ISO 9001 certified
pharmaceutical plant and a traditional
medicine manufacturing plant was also
organised. This was an eye-opening and
life changing experience for many students.
This includes practices that integrate
international perspectives (knowledge, skills
and attitudes) that students develop through
courses and subjects studied. It also provides
opportunities to investigate the similarities
and differences of knowledge, traditions,
ideas and practices, both within Australia
and between Australia and other countries.
2011 saw a climb in student numbers for a
trip to Switzerland as part of an overview and
gaining exposure to public health matters,
pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory
affairs, hospital pharmacy and community
pharmacy practice, neutraceuticals, premier
scientific laboratories and scientists.
This assists students to develop as a global
citizen in an increasingly international world
and initiates an appreciation of social and
Students visited facilities including the
World Health Organization and CERN in
Geneva, the Zurich School of Life Sciences
and the Medi Institute in Berne among others.
A European trip is planned for 2012,
expanding on the earlier trip to Switzerland,
for visits to Royal Barts Hospital in London,
the Pasteur Institute in Paris, The Max
Planck Institute in Munich in addition to
some of the Swiss locations. As part of the
Pharmacy program’s ongoing commitment
to the internationalisation agenda, CSU will
be conducting trips in the next few years to
destinations such as America, China, Korea
and South Africa, among other countries.
CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences sees
this program as pertinent in offering students
a unique and market relevant experience
rurally, nationally and globally.
The Pharmacy program would like to enhance
its relationship internationally with its partners
in flying the CSU flag high.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the
alumni of the Pharmacy program, CSU will
be opening up the trip to the CSU Pharmacy
alumni. If you are interested in taking part,
please contact George John by emailing:
[email protected]
@AlumniCSU
Charles Sturt University
PAGE 12 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
Global in orientation | National in focus | Local in action
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 13
Courses Director, Associate Professor
Jenny Wilkinson, has indicated
that students wishing to enter
the Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management and study
it concurrently with their Bachelor of
Pharmacy should complete and submit
an application form by 1 October at:
www.csu.edu.au /apply
The application will be for entry to
the course in Session 3 of the year in
which they study Pharmacy Practice 2
(PHM315).
What is your
competitive edge?
Program Leader of Pharmacy at
CSU, George John says that as the
local and global financial upheaval
continues apace, so does consumer
retail spending uncertainty.
According to George, the CSU
Pharmacy program is continuously
ensuring that students and alumni
are future-proof, cutting edge, unique
and market relevant.
Businesses, including pharmacies,
need to respond to shifts in consumer
buying behaviour. During tough
economic times customers shift to
retailers offering ‘value’. This can only
be done by separating yourselves
from the pack and by being different.
As a first phase of this strategy, a
partnership between the Pharmacy
program and the Faculty of Business
was developed, where there is
opportunity for Pharmacy students
to gain an additional qualification,
the Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management.
To explain his point, George
highlighted a quote by Lady Gaga,
“You laugh at me because I’m
different. I laugh at you because
you’re all the same.” He further
reinforced that these same trends
apply to pharmacists as well.
“At a time when there is a perception
of supply and demand issues with
pharmacy graduates, the question is,
are you going down the well-beaten
path or discovering new uncharted
territories?”
PAGE 14 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
This pathway will ensure CSU Pharmacy
graduates are sought after due to their
market readiness in many areas.
CSU Pharmacy alumni can also
take advantage of this pathway by
receiving credits for the management
component of the subject (current
version) Pharmacy Practice 2 (PHM315).
Students who have successfully
completed PHM315 will be considered
for entry to the Graduate Certificate
in Small Business Management
with the final decision on entry being
made by the Course Coordinator for
this course in consultation with the
Courses Director of the School of
Biomedical Sciences.
Students accepted into this course
will be granted transfer credit for
Management Theory and Practice
(MGT501).
Students may elect to enrol in
Marketing for Small Business
(MKT519) as their elective. Credit
for this subject will be granted in
the Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management once students
have successfully passed MKT519.
The remaining two subjects,
Managing People in Small Business
(HRM539) and Small Business
Strategic Plan (MGT529) can be
completed in Session 3 between third
and fourth year, Session 3 of fourth
year or in subsequent sessions.
For CSU graduated alumni the proposed
enrolment pattern would be as follows:
•
apply for recognition of prior
learning in the third-year subject
Pharmacy Practice 2 (PHM315)
and gain credit for Management
Theory and Practice (MGT501) in
the Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management
•
complete all three subjects
Marketing for Small Business
(MKT519), Managing People in
Small Business (HRM539) and
Small Business Strategic Plan
(MGT529).
George believes good pharmacists
are not those who just have the
most clinical knowledge. A lack
of knowledge of how to manage
resources and how the health care
system works will only impede
the pharmacist’s goal to provide
pharmaceutical care.
In this modern world of pressure,
pharmacists’ ability to manage
their work environment can have
a significant impact on their ability
to cope with daily stressors of
practice, increasing job satisfaction
and diminishing likelihood of career
burnout or impairment through
substance abuse.
Good business and patient care are
not mutually exclusive and are almost
entirely mutually dependent. Superior
patient care and implementation of
clinical services are made possible
by pharmacists who are skilled in
management and business skills.
George encourages students to think
differently and separate themselves
from their peers. He also emphasises
that the Pharmacy program looks
forward to ensuring CSU’s Graduate
Certificate in Small Business
Management and Pharmacy program
are engaging, enabling and exciting.
For further details, please refer to
Dr Lan Snell’s article “Five reasons to
study Small Business Management”
in this edition of Script magazine,
call 1800 334 733 or visit:
www.csu.edu.au/smallbiz
A healthy
dose..
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 15
Spotlight
on Alumni
“The future direction of
the Pharmacy profession
will be made by the
graduates of today.”
Staff Profile
“Capital Chemist and CSU always challenged me to think beyond
my nine-to-five job and pursue further ventures. This enthusiasm
has greatly shifted my focus, from originally being that of only a
pharmacist, to now having roles on committees that advocate for young pharmacists.”
Carl Cooper took the road less travelled, coming from a background in
teaching music where he made the shift to working in Pharmacy. Script
caught up with Carl as he embarks on the next stage of this journey
where he returns to teaching, but this time in Pharmacy Practice.
Born in Tasmania and educated in
Hobart and Melbourne, Carl Cooper
dedicated 10 years to enriching the
lives of young people as a high school
music teacher with the Tasmanian
Education Department.
proprietor, re-established a viable
business. He initiated many of the
professional service offerings that
were being established as part of the
fourth Pharmacy Agreement with the
Commonwealth Government.
He moved to the ACT to continue
his career in music and worked in
ACT and NSW colleges and high
schools. Carl pursued further study
and completed a Master of Education
at the University of Canberra and a
Graduate Diploma in Music at the
Australian National University.
“In hindsight, students like myself
were the reason why the Pharmacy
course was set up at CSU. Things
have certainly changed in relation
to the shortage of pharmacists
in regional NSW today. However,
there is no denying that ambitious,
confident and proficient pharmacy
professionals are in great demand,
no matter what may be expressed
in student forums and in the national
pharmacy press.”
Carl’s career headed in a different
direction a decade ago when he
made the decision to come to
pharmacy as one of the new breed
that responded to the extreme
shortage in the profession in regional
and remote NSW.
“My wife Mandy was already a
pharmacist and to be a genuine partner
in this enterprise the need was there to
retrain and get involved,” Carl recalled.
“So we moved our three children to
Wagga Wagga in 1999 and I started
a pharmacy degree at CSU. On
graduation we owned and
were running three pharmacies
in Wagga Wagga.”
From 2007-2011 Carl ran Lockhart
Pharmacy on the outskirts of
Wagga Wagga and as a sole
PAGE 16 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
This year Carl accepted a position as
Pharmacy Practice lecturer at CSU
in Wagga Wagga.
“I have great memories of my time
as a mature-age student at CSU and
believe that I can offer some recent
perspective to the students as they
embark on their professional careers
once they have graduated. What I
know from experience is that to be a
good teacher or a good pharmacist
you need to like people.”
Carl believes the business of
community pharmacy is about using
what you know to help people to
improve their health.
Elise Taylor has made her mark in her profession since graduating
in 2010 and has a bright future ahead. After completing her
Bachelor of Pharmacy, Elise worked as an intern pharmacist for
Capital Chemist for 12 months, registered as a pharmacist and now
manages that same pharmacy with 30 team members.
“With so much discussion about the
national health agenda and giving
large amounts of money for hospital
reform, what has been lost in the
debate is the regular requirement for
people to maintain their relationships
with community based health
professionals so that, through our
training, people can have improved
outcomes, and live longer and
healthier lives,” he said.
“The battle of chronic disease is
going to be won in the community
based activities and that is where
the pharmacy professionals are
ideally centred by their training
and competencies to contribute
meaningfully for health outcomes
that are measurable.
“The future direction of the
pharmacy profession will be made
by the graduates of today. They will
formulate the future landscape of the
profession and should be involved in
its development.
“As a pharmacy proprietor requiring a
registered pharmacist to work in my
community pharmacy, I want the best
outcomes for our customers. This
means I will employ the pharmacist
who has the best skills, knowledge and
acumen for the position. If that person
can offer a better way to improve the
health outcomes for my customers,
then please, show me how!”
Elise has now completed studies to diversify her skill set in areas of management by
completing a Diploma of Management, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and
Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice.
Pina O’Hare
Bachelor of Pharmacy
fourth-year student, Immediate
Previous Past President 2011
(Pharmers’ Society)
“In my three years on the Pharmers’
committee, I have been privileged to be
involved in so many different aspects of
Pharmacy and University life. It has helped
me to make many friends and network
throughout the pharmacy world.
“The greatest thing about Pharmers’ would
have to be its affiliation with the National
Australian Pharmacy Students Association
(NAPSA) and the NAPSA Congress, which
this year was held in Wagga Wagga and
I along with some other very passionate
students organised. That would definitely
be a highlight of my time at university, as
well as being Pharmers’ President, which
although at times very stressful, was very
rewarding and has definitely been worthwhile.
“Being involved in Pharmers’, the
Pharmacy Foundation and other
committees throughout my time at
university has helped me to balance my
university life and because I love getting
involved and can’t say no, there is no doubt
that you will see me somewhere in the
future doing something similar!”
“My goal is to have the knowledge and education to positively influence my staff, patients and
other people in the pharmacy industry in the ACT to improve health outcomes for all those that
come in contact with our services,” Elise said.
“I am driven by my passion for the pharmacy profession and
by being surrounded by such amazing Pharmacist mentors.”
“Pharmacists are highly regarded in the community as a source of easily accessible advice,
a friendly face and trustworthy partner in health. This role, as well as having the ability to help
people with their problems, both great and small, attracted me to this profession and in my
experience, pharmacy has certainly not disappointed me!
“I believe hard work and dedication will be rewarded in accordance with the amount of effort
that is put into a task. Also, having grown up with interactions with the health care system at
different times in my life, I don’t remember any of my doctors, or nurses, but I remember my
childhood pharmacist as being a supportive friendly face in a time of illness. I hope that I can
be that same face to my patients when they are in bad health,” she said.
Elise said her strongest influences are her father and the two female owners of the Pharmacy
she is managing.
“My dad is my ultimate role model and his work ethic and determination are traits which I
believe I have inherited and contribute strongly to the opportunities ahead of me today. The
two female owners of Capital Chemist Wanniassa are also important influences for me. They
have shown me that female pharmacists have the capability to manage a business and staff
effectively, while providing exceptional care to their patients and having fulfilling family life
outside of work.
“The profession of pharmacy is changing, and this is an exciting time to take advantage of the
diverse range of roles available to pharmacists. I believe being unique is the key to success,
and this will be particularly important to new graduates of pharmacy who may not slip into the
traditional roles of hospital pharmacist or community pharmacist as graduates before them have.
“Young graduates will be welcomed into a growing industry that has the capacity to evolve
positions for pharmacists that haven’t even been thought of yet. The future of pharmacy is
changing, and will ensure exciting opportunities for those brave enough to step outside the square!”
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 17
5
reasons to
study small
business
management...
Community pharmacy is
undergoing a significant period of
change throughout the world. Due
in part to the need to develop a
new competitive advantage as a
result of alternative channels, such
as supermarkets and discount
pharmacies coming into their
traditional markets, community
pharmacy is moving to increase
its professionalism to develop a
position of clinical expertise and
service differentiation in order to
compete.
Approximately 85% of pharmacy
graduates proceed to a career in
retail pharmacy where business skills
and management capabilities are
essential in order to successfully run
a small business. Findings from a
study conducted by the University
of Sydney suggest that pharmacy
owners / managers expect pharmacy
graduates to possess sufficient levels
of management knowledge.
The study identified that the level
of management competence was
perceived as low from not only
pharmacy owners / managers, but
recent pharmacy graduates and
current pharmacy students. This
is due largely to the inadequate
coverage of this area within traditional
undergraduate Pharmacy courses.
These findings suggest that
pharmacists should consider small
business management studies as
part of their professional training.
PAGE 18 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
understands the unique operating
environment of the small business
sector. CSU has worked closely with a
number of small business associations
including the NSW government,
business enterprise centres, local
councils, and small business operators
to develop the Graduate Certificate in
Small Business Management, a new
course delivered by distance
education.
As CSU small business expert
Dr Lan Snell explains, the Graduate
Certificate in Small Business
Management provides industry
focused, flexible studies for small
business operators with the
completion of three core subjects
in marketing, human resources and
strategy, and one elective subject.
“A key component of study is the
linkage of theory with current issues in
small business and the student’s own
small business setting,” Dr Snell said.
There are five key reasons
pharmacists should undertake
small business management studies:
1. Dual qualifications create a
competitive advantage
Pharmacists with a dual qualification
in pharmacy and small business
management have a competitive
advantage over pharmacists with a
single pharmacy qualification. Small
business management skills allow
pharmacy graduates leverage in
their technical skills in an applied
retail setting.
Management skills also offer
pharmacy graduates opportunities to
maximise their productivity and career
prospects.
2. Develop working relationships
and networks
Pharmacists have the ability to develop
relationships with other pharmacists
and retail operators. The course uses
industry streaming techniques to
foster a truly collaborative and network
based learning platform. Students
will be assigned to business cycle
clusters (e.g. start-up or growth) within
their industry sector which provides
networking opportunities and direct
application of knowledge.
The use of action learning processes
means students can benchmark
their current business processes and
develop practical insights to create the
desired future state of their business.
3. Study at your convenience
CSU’s Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management subjects are
offered online, allowing business
operators to complete the course
without having to come on campus
and with minimal disruption to their
business.
“Approximately 85% of pharmacy graduates
proceed to a career in retail pharmacy.”
and simply note your alumni status
on your application form to study
the Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management. For more
information or to register as an
alumni, visit: alumni.csu.edu.au
Alumni interested in studying
the Graduate Certificate in
Small Business Management
should contact George John
on 02 6933 4435 or email:
[email protected]
5. Pathways
CSU has developed a pathway for
pharmacy students in their final year
of study into the Graduate Certificate
of Small Business Management.
From 2012, CSU Pharmacy students
have the option of complementing
their Bachelor of Pharmacy with
the Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management. CSU
Pharmacy alumni can also take
advantage of this pathway by
receiving credit for the management
component of the (current version)
Pharmacy Practice 2 (PHM315).
For more details on the pathway
please refer to George John’s article
“The power of dual outcomes. What
is your competitive edge?” in this
edition of Script magazine.
For further information on the
Graduate Certificate in Small
Business Management call
1800 334 733 or visit:
www.csu.edu.au/smallbiz
Current Pharmacy students
interested in pursuing the pathway
can contact Dr Jenny Wilkinson
on 02 6933 4019 or
[email protected]
The icing on the cake
There are many layers to managing a small business.
CSU’s Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management
offers small business operators an opportunity to enhance
existing knowledge and experience with the latest thinking
in small business management.
CSU can help you put the icing on the cake.
4. Discounts for CSU Pharmacy alumni
All registered CSU alumni are entitled
to a 10% discount off postgraduate
course fees. To take advantage of
this alumni offer, make sure you
are registered as a CSU alumni
www.csu.edu.au/smallbiz
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation | PAGE 19
Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation wishes
to thank the following for their support:
Abbott Australasia
Hogan’s Pharmacy
Ms Elise Taylor
Aspen Australia
I Nova Pharmaceuticals (Australia)
Pty Limited
Ms Jeannine Delemare
Australian Pharmaceutical
Industries Limited
Blooms The Chemist
Management Services
Capital Chemist
Coastal Capital Chemist
CountryPharm Group
Karen Carter Chemist
Lawlers Family Pharmacies
Martin Phillips Pharmacy
Mr Malcolm Rosborough
Mr Marko Popovic
Mr Robert and Diane Lazzarini
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
(NSW)
Pharmacy Guild of Australia
(NSW Branch)
Roche Diagnostics
Sanofi Pasteur
Eli Lilly Australia
Pharmacy Foundation Membership
I would like to support the Charles Sturt University Foundation Trust by providing a gift to
Pharmacy at Charles Sturt University (please tick one):
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Charles Sturt University Advancement Unit:
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Fax: 02 6338 4833
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.csu.edu.au/special/
pharmacyfoundation
Disclaimer: The opinions published in CSU Script are not
to be regarded as the official opinion of Charles Sturt
University. While every effort has been made to ensure
accuracy and completeness, no guarantee is given, nor
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errors or omissions in the information presented. Before
relying on any information in this publication, readers
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PAGE 20 | SCRIPT MAGAZINE
1800 334 733
www.csu.edu.au
© Charles Sturt University, 2012. JB F2358