OVERVIEW

Within the overall theme of Practice Excellence through Technology the Conference will cover a wide range of issues related to all areas of pharmacy practice - community, hospital, industry and government. The application of technology, and in particular information technology to practice, will be a highlight of the conference program. Other main topic areas will include: the management of infectious and vector-borne diseases, the pharmacist's role in substance abuse and drug misuse, the issue of drug use in sport and sports medicine, the use of nutritional supplements as therapeutic substances, complementary or alternative medicine, the role of the pharmacist in medication management of the older person, and updates on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma and allergy.

Approximately 35 CPE contact hours will be available.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Keynote speakers will include:

BILL FELKEY, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Care Systems, School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Alabama, USA. Bill's research interests focus on creation of knowledge bases and the use of advanced technology. He was the winner of the International Interactive Communication Society award for the Best Interactive Program "About Your Diabetes" in 1992 and in 1993 won the APhA award for his development of a program on "Pharmacist Opportunities in Compliance using Skills Training". He has delivered or published over 450 papers on the topics of computers, health systems informatics, community pharmacy practice management and technology issues in pharmacy.

DAVE ROBERTS, Professor of Nutrition and Diatetics at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Dave is also Chairman of the Complementary Medicines Evaluation Committee in Australia and until January 1999 is on Study Leave at Southhampton UK undertaking further research in the area of nutriceutics - nutritional supplements used as therapeutic agents.

NICKI VANCE has degrees in physical education and sports administration. Following a position with the Australian Sports Commission Anti-Drugs Campaign, Nicki was appointed Manager of the Australian Sports Drug Agency Testing Program. She is also Manager, Doping Control, Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG).

KAY ROBERTS, Area Pharmacy Specialist - Drug Abuse with the Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust. Her role includes providing education and training for hospital and community pharmacists and support staff, general medical practitioners and other health care professionals on matters relating to substance misuse. Kay is a co-founder of PharMAG, a group in the UK for pharmacists with a special interest in drug misuse.

BERNIE HUDSON, a Clinical Microbiologist and Infectious Disease Physician with a wide experience in Tropical and Geographic Medicine. Bernie's interests are: vector borne diseases, travel and tropical medicine, adult immunisation and outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy. He has developed appropriate technology testing methods for developing countries, including antibody tests for infectious diseases and a malaria self-test for travellers.

ANDREW MCLACHLAN, lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney. Andrew's main research interest is in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. After completing a B Pharm and PhD at Sydney he spent 2 years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Pharmacy Department at the University of Manchester, UK. Returning to Australia he took up a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Clinical Pharmacology Department at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney and subsequently his current position. Andrew is a registered pharmacist and has maintained a close link with community practice where he still works part-time. Andrew has been involved in the presentation of continuing education for pharmacists for some years.

PETER LARKINS, Australian Medical Association's spokesperson for sport and exercise. After obtaining degrees in Medicine and Medical Science, Peter gained a Fellowship of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation. He has studied sports medicine in the UK, Canada, USA, Tanzania and Kenya. His special interests are in the area of exercise and health, musculoskeletal injuries and health promotion.

BARBARA OGLE, Director of Professional Services for Pharmasave National, a member-governed organisation of independently owned and operated pharmacies across Canada. She holds a BS Pharm degree from the University of British Columbia, a hospital pharmacy residency diploma from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and a Master of Clinical Pharmacy Degree from the University of Toronto. Barbara has written several papers on managed care and professional service development. She participates on the National Pharmacy Coalition on Managed Care and the Canadian Pharmacists Association Working Group on Pharmacy Reimbursement Methods.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

THURSDAY 11 MARCH

Clinical Skills For Geriatric Pharmacy And Medication Reviews - Our ageing population, producing many patients with multiple disease states requiring complex medication, gives a need for this one day specialised training and includes skills training to carry out medication reviews and advanced counselling.

FRIDAY 12 MARCH

Rural Pharmacy - A tour through beautiful Gippsland to the Monash University Centre for Rural Health in one of Victoria's newest hospitals at Traralgon will lead into a seminar addressing the latest developments in rural pharmacy. A highlight for interstate and overseas visitors to Victoria.

2nd International Symposium on Innovation in Pharmaceutical Care will bring together experienced Australian practitioners and international authorities to inform of developments and innovations from around the world. An event not to be missed by those interested in advanced practice leading to pharmaceutical care.

Infectious Diseases Workshop - Clinical aspects will be the focus, as well as travel health and related vaccines, covering the latest developments in control and management of vector borne and other infectious diseases including the prospects of a malaria vaccine.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - Meetings to give an opportunity for discussion on a variety of interests including Military Pharmacy, Pharmacists in Government and pharmacy compounding.

Drug Abuse Workshop - The abuse of prescription drugs as well as 'street' drugs will be addressed along with the latest developments in control and treatment of those addicted, from methadone to naltrexone and buprenorphine. The increasing incidence of 'doctor shopping' for prescription drugs will also be a major topic.

WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Cost: Included in Delegate's registration fee

Additional tickets AUD35.00 per person

This informal function provides the opportunity for the delegates to become familiar with the Conference venue, and be officially welcomed to the Conference and to Melbourne.

SATURDAY 13 MARCH

Application of Technology to Modern Pharmacy Practice is the major theme running through the conference, with 'big screen' demonstrations and descriptions of how computers and related technology will soon revolutionise the way pharmacy will be practised in the near future.

Cardiovascular and Hypertension - Clinical conditions and latest treatments will be discussed by leading clinicians and clinical pharmacists, with an emphasis on the latest drug therapy and any associated interactions and side effects.

Geriatric Pharmacy by leading clinicians will be the in-depth theme of the hospital pharmacy stream, of importance for those dealing with that client base in hospitals or the community.

International Pharmacy Forum - Authorities and practitioners from around the world will discuss how pharmacy is practised in their home countries and how this might impact on practice in Australia.

SIGMA CONFERENCE BANQUET

Melbourne Convention Centre

Time: 7.30pm for 8.00pm - Dress: Lounge Suit

Cost: AUD95.00 per person (unless purchasing inclusive delegate/CPA registration)

A formal dinner, accompanied by entertainment promises a spectacular night for all. Delegates will be able to mingle and network with new and old friends and colleagues.

SUNDAY 14 MARCH

Continuing Education - the three major themes will cover (1) nutrition and nutritional supplements including herbal products, (2) advanced computer technology in pharmacy practice and (3) asthma associated with allergy.

Private Hospital Pharmacy - There are a number of substantial changing practices about to be introduced to improve efficiency in supply and increase the level of professional support. This seminar is of major importance to pharmacists servicing private hospitals.

Innovative Pharmacy Practice - Four pharmacists (one from U.S.A. and 3 from Australia) will tell of their experiences in moving away from a traditional community practice to higher professional level of community practice and report results, both from the financial and professional aspects.

HOECHST MARION ROUSSEL DINNER

Time: 7.00pm - Dress: Smart Casual

Cost: AUD75.00 per person (unless purchasing inclusive delegate/CPA registration)

A relaxed and informal dinner to end the Conference Social Program. A night with an "Aussie" theme.

MONDAY 15 MARCH

Sports Medicine and Drugs in Sport - will start the day with a theme of injury prevention and treatment and how pharmacy can be involved. The use and control of prescription, OTC and illicit drugs by elite athletes will be a fascinating study.

Arthritis - Clinical developments in treatment will include descriptions of some revolutionary new drugs without the problems of current drugs.

Men's Health and Women's Health is another stream that will concentrate on the latest drug therapy.

DETAILED PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

THURSDAY, 11 MARCH 1999

10.00am - 5.00pm

Australian College of Pharmacy Practice Workshop

provision of continuing education

What can we learn from each other?

Be part of the development of enhanced international rural pharmacy links.

Join the bus trip through beautiful Gippsland to the venue at Monash University Centre for Rural Health, situated at Latrobe Regional Hospital,Traralgon, Victoria's newest hospital.

Bus leaving 9am Melbourne Convention Centre for Gippsland and returning by 5pm.

If you are attending, please ensure this was indicated on the registration form; or contact the conference secretariat as soon as possible.

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Secretariat: cpapac@icms.com.au http://www.icms.com.au/cpapac c/- ICMS Pty Ltd 84 Queensbridge Street Southbank, Victoria 3006 Australia Telephone: +61 3 9682 0244 Facsimile: +61 3 9682 0288