MS drug withdrawn following brain disorders
Biogen Australia is withdrawing Zinbryta (daclizumab) from the global and Australian market following cases of serious inflammatory brain disorders The TGA says it has not received any reports of inflammatory …
World news wrapup: 15 March 2018
Arizona doctors’ offices get prescription drug vending machines; Kansas celebrates drug donation program; UK dispensing error defence imminent Mesa, Arizona: Medavail Technologies has installed Arizona’s first vending machine for medications …
Struck off for prescribing to self and partner
A former doctor and pharmacist has been disqualified from practising medicine for three years after he prescribed drugs including Valium and Duromine for his partner, a male sex worker The …
Non-GP vaccinators accused of increasing flu risk
The RACGP has criticised flu vaccine providers who are encouraging patients to be vaccinated now The group’s president, Dr Bastian Seidel, says is concerned that “some influenza vaccine providers” are …
Techs to lose pharmacist supervision requirement
Pre-registration pharmacy technicians will no longer require pharmacist supervision from August, Britain’s General Pharmaceutical Council says The UK announcement comes as pharmacists in Australia debate whether or not the profession …
Pharmacists neglected in pandemic planning
Pharmacists are a “largely untapped” resource in flu outbreaks and their role should be specified in pandemic planning, says one expert The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s Deeble Institute for …
When can I issue a sick note?
Following a series of mainstream media reports criticising pharmacy-issued sick notes, the PSA has confirmed they are within pharmacy’s scope of practice While issuing absence from work certificates is within …
Bystander CPR can double survival rates
Stakeholders are calling for better CPR education after a study revealed Australia’s bystander CPR rates New research by Monash University has revealed that almost 60% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) …
Poll: ‘devolving’ dispensing
Are pharmacists handing too much of their dispensing role to pharmacy technicians or assistants? Last week, pharmacy stakeholders expressed concern that pharmacy was “devolving” too much of its primary dispensing …
The week in review
It’s been a busy week in the pharmacy sector… The pharmacy sector celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 with a debate about whether flexibility helped or hindered the profession; …
Students: speak up
Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia and the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association are excited about a new year of closer collaboration The two organisations have out a joint call …
SHPA calls for tightened S8 opioid restrictions
The SHPA has suggested limiting pack sizes, indications and dose limits for S8 opioids In its submission to the TGA’s consultation on S8 opioid use and misuse in Australia – …