Biologics switching is in pharmacists’ scope
Pharmacists’ authority to use their expertise to substitute one medicine for another should also apply to biological medicines, says FIP The International Pharmaceutical Federation has published a revised Statement of …
Pharmacist to patient ratios matter: SHPA
SHPA has spoken out in support of hospital pharmacists, following reports of understaffing, pressure and looming industrial action in the ACT The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia says that …
A vision of harm reduction
Could pharmacies dispense ecstasy and recreational cannabis in the future? One stakeholder believes they should But it’s not about “green-lighting” recreational drug use, says Matt Noffs, CEO of the Ted …
Don’t talk about ‘expanded scope’
Canadian pharmacists, like their Australian counterparts, are discussing the importance of language when it comes to scope of practice In an editorial published in the Canadian Pharmacists’ Journal, three pharmacists …
Real time monitoring launches in Vic
Australia’s first comprehensive real-time monitoring system, SafeScript, is going live this week Victoria’s Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, and clinicians from Ballarat Health Services announced Monday that the system would …
The week in review
A highlight of this week was World Pharmacists’ Day, and members of the profession celebrated worldwide World Pharmacists’ Day took place on Tuesday, with a theme of “Your medicines experts,” …
1 Oct price cuts
Health Minister Greg Hunt has highlighted impending price drops on 24 medicines, as another price disclosure cycle kicks in But the worst of price disclosure for pharmacies is already “done …
Lack of hope: hospital pharmacists ready to walk
Hospital pharmacists in the ACT’s public system are heading towards industrial action, as understaffing puts patients at risk, says PPA Significant understaffing is leading to conflict with other health professionals, …
Faxed S8 requests and expired drugs
The Pharmacy Board has published two case summaries to highlight pharmacists’ obligations… including one where S8s were regularly dispensed with no valid script In its latest newsletter, the Board has …
How much GP time do pharmacists free?
A new study published in the British Journal of General Practice has examined how providing additional pharmacist prescribing resources can free up GP capacity and time The study, Releasing GP …
Pollen expert warns on asthma
People with hayfever are being urged to get tested for undiagnosed asthma, as a new study reveals the condition’s impact Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu, the head of Deakin University’s pollen …
‘Penicillin allergy’ raises MRSA risk
A UK health authority has asked health practitioners to be sceptical of claimed penicillin allergies Patients who incorrectly believe they are allergic to penicillin may be placing themselves at unnecessary …