‘Not representative of the diversity of pharmacists in Australia’
Generative AI portrays nearly all pharmacists as white and male, with researchers concerned the technology may reinforce gender and ethnicity biases Pharmacists are not being accurately portrayed by generative artificial …
Continued vaping at follow-up ‘problematic’
Vaping devices could help people of lower socioeconomic background quit smoking, an Australian randomised controlled trial has found Vaporised nicotine devices are more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for …
‘Substantial impact’: Pharmacists boost uptake threefold
Aged care sector under pressure but pharmacists “can easily fill the gap”, as large new study shows profession’s role in vaccination Pharmacists have had a “substantial” impact on vaccination uptake …
Task overload and distraction contribute to medication errors: study
A new review has found mental conditions, communication failures and inadequate supervision can lead to medication errors… but which risk factor leads the pack? Issues with communication, coordination and planning …
ACOP: Looking back on one year
On the 12-month anniversary of the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist measure, Michael Bonner and Prof Mark Naunton reflect on the highs and lows of the past year In the 2024-25 …
‘Not enough time to do all the tasks … in the real world’
Pharmacists need more time to work as an ACOP, or RMMR services should be brought back alongside the measure, argue experts The current 0.2FTE per 50 beds for the Aged …
‘A pharmacist-consumer consultation can significantly help’
More than 100 vitamin B6-only products would be affected by proposed upscheduling to S3, as TGA consults on interim decision Products containing greater than 50 mg but less than 200 …
‘Dramatic increase’ in prescription cannabis
Most people are now accessing medical cannabis on script and in safer forms, but “concerning” trend shows many are being prescribed for conditions with no evidence of efficacy Around three-quarters …
Human error, alarm fatigue contributed to insulin death
Multiple factors including use of EMRs found in coroner’s case involving a medication administration error that led to a woman’s death A coroner has called for changes to an electronic …
An act of service
This Australia-first, award-winning pharmacy service is supporting men during vulnerable times in their life—particularly with issues often considered “taboo” Founder and lead pharmacist of Men’s Health Downunder, Brad Butt, set …
Concern over rising triple-therapy use
New report shows 130% increase in use of triple therapy for COPD, as well as a 31% drop in spirometry testing rates Patients with COPD who are using triple therapy …
New pack size to ‘help address supply shortage’
PBAC recommends expanding empagliflozin treatment population in line with “pivotal” trial, changes to max quantities for pioglitazone and listing of new contraceptive choice in May meeting The PBAC has recommended …