From today, pharmacies across Australia are able to join the Dermatology Network Pharmacy Program.

This free program focuses on supporting Australian community pharmacies with a range of resources designed to improve the long-term clinical outcomes for patients with psoriasis. This program is supported by LEO Pharma.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and an inflammatory condition of the skin that affects over half a million Australians of all ages1, 2. Due to a lack of education available for patients in relation to prescribed medications, psoriasis treatment is often associated with poor clinical outcomes, high levels of frustration and anxiety, decreased adherence and worsening of the disease3.

“As psoriasis has a chronic and relapsing course, patients are likely to try a range of treatments. It is important for healthcare professionals to have the right tools to aid discussions with patients to reinforce appropriate use of their treatments. This will lead to better compliance and clinical results as well as an improved overall quality of life.” said Dr Diana Rubel, Dermatologist, Woden, ACT and Senior Lecturer, ANU.

The LEO Pharma Dermatology Network Pharmacy Program provides pharmacists with access to resources and education on psoriasis and the opportunity to become part of a national network of pharmacies. At the point of prescribing, clinicians will be able to use the pharmacy locator to identify pharmacies that are part of the network, and have implemented the program. This will ensure patients are able to locate pharmacies with the specialised knowledge to expertly counsel them across a range of dermatological issues including psoriasis. Network pharmacies have access to a number of resources that they can use in counselling their patients.

“The program was developed in recognition that pharmacists want more practical support in specialised areas like dermatology, specifically psoriasis – simple things like reinforcing the correct amount of medicine to use and the best way to apply the medicine can have a huge impact on clinical outcomes. The resources support the Quality Use of Medicines and can be utilised in performing a Clinical Intervention, where appropriate under the 6CPA” said Kos Sclavos, Immediate Past National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Professional Programs Architect at Sinapse / PharmaPrograms.

Interested pharmacies can now enrol in the Dermatology Network Pharmacy Program at www.pharmaprograms.com.au. The site contains the pharmacy locator where prescribers can assist patients to locate LEO Pharma Dermatology Network Pharmacies.

References
1: Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey: Summary of Results 2007-2008 (Reissue). Released 23 Nov 2010.
2: Augustin M, Holland B, Dartsch D, et al. Dermatol. 2011; 222(4): 363-74.
3: Puig L, 2015, ‘Improving Patient Outcomes in Psorasis: Strategies to Ensure Treatment Adherence’, Psoriasis Targets and Therapies, vol. 5, p. 109-115. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S54070