The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) launched a rural special interest group (RuralSIG) this week.
The group aims to provide targeted support to PSA members who practice in rural or remote areas or have an interest in rural pharmacy.
RuralSIG provides networking opportunities, increases awareness of available education activities, promotes research relative to rural pharmacy, liases with PSA state branches, represents rural pharmacy to the PSA national board, integrates pharmacy professional services into rural health care teams and promotes pharmacy professional services to other rural health organisations.
The rural pharmacist webpage (
www.psa.org.au/rural) features news, information, an e-newsletter emailed to all group members, an e-community discussion forum, a noticeboard, a calendar of events and details of continuing professional development education opportunities relevant to rural pharmacy.
The website also has a document archive - a collection of web links, press releases, journal articles and instructions for subscribing to websites that are sources of evidence-based information.
PSA public affairs manager, Aaron Hall, said the e-community discussion forum allowed rural pharmacists to discuss relevant issues and problems with their peers.
Mr Hall said a moderator also placed material of interest on the discussion forum, which sparked further discussion amongst members.
PSA national president, Brian Grogan, told delegates at the Pharmacy Australia Conference on the weekend that the PSA was working towards an enhanced focus on rural health initiatives.
"This group will become a voice for rural pharmacists across Australia.
"The internet e-community will act as a hub for the group, offering networking opportunities and sharing news of educational and clinical activities accessible from your own towns," Mr Grogan said.