Nancy Zaki is a qualified Pharmacist and one of our Medicine Review Specialists. Learn more about her role within Claims Pharmacy in our spotlight interview.
What is your background in pharmacy?
My background in pharmacy consists of working in a Community Pharmacy setting for 13 years. I have experience with webster packing, nursing home management, home medication reviews and residential medication reviews. I had the opportunity to be a shareholder in Community Pharmacies for around six years, giving me an incredible experience beyond the traditional pharmaceutical role.
What is your role at Claims Pharmacy, and how does it benefit injured people?
This role has allowed me to play an essential role in collaborating with the different health professionals looking after injured people. My work at Claims Pharmacy involves helping injured people in a different way than I did in Community Pharmacy. I consider myself, and Claims Pharmacy, one of the essential components in a healthcare team that contribute to better medication management, reduced medication doses, and improved patient outcomes. I try to keep the balance between pain management and pain killer side effects.
How have you found the role compared to your previous background in pharmacy?
My role in Claims Pharmacy has allowed me to provide care to significantly injured people who are prescribed long-term opioids for chronic pain and are at a much greater risk of developing a substance use disorder than the general public. The most significant benefit of a medication review is changing the process outcomes of prescribing, such as reducing polypharmacy. At Claims Pharmacy, my purpose is to ensure that I provide the right advice to help doctors and insurers make informed decisions about their claims and help injured people on their journey to recovery.
What challenges do you face when reviewing medications, and how do you overcome them?
When I work closely with general practitioners and specialists to discuss changing medications, some practitioners are against changing medications. Sometimes, there is a lack of communication amongst prescribers. That is why Claims pharmacy offers case conferences. I always provide medication titration plans and follow up on them to ensure the safety of Injured Australians.
What do you feel is the most important thing people should know about medication management for injured people?
People should know that accidents and work-related injuries can affect many lives and families. Claims Pharmacy focuses on helping injured people resume their lives without a dependency on medication. Our main aim is to minimise reliance on medication and ensure Injured Australians get back to everyday life as quickly as possible.