New combo therapy to be listed
A new combination therapy for type 2 diabetes, which can be prescribed alongside metformin, is set to be listed on the PBS from 1 April Glyxambi, a new oral, fixed-dose …
The latest in medicines shortages
Short-term shortage announced for ketamine, with a slightly longer one for vardenafil – while Hypurin insulin and Zovirax tablets have been signalled for deletion from market Bayer’s Levitra 20 vardenafil …
Codeine deaths claim ‘doesn’t stack up’: Fact Check
RMIT ABC Fact Check has concluded Minister Hunt’s claim that making codeine prescription-only would save 100 lives a year doesn’t stack up to evidence In a move that is sure …
Sigma net profit drops 10.5%
Sales revenue was “heavily impacted” this year by a decline in the sales of low-margin hep C medicines Sigma Healthcare has reported a difficult financial year, but says it will …
Guild attempts to clear mystery surrounding political influence
The Guild has emphasised its “non-partisan” approach in preparation for upcoming elections, but some quarters of the organisation are not happy with government processes In his latest Forefront editorial, Guild …
‘Deep seeded contempt of the community pharmacist’
NSW Guild has briefed members on preparing for potential upcoming State and Federal elections, citing ‘contempt’ for community pharmacy within some government departments NSW Guild President David Heffernan has called …
Fast sepsis detection on the horizon
Scientists have designed a simple test that can detect sepsis from a single drop of blood Sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s extreme response to severe infection damages …
Heinz pulled up over toddler foods
A Federal Court has found Heinz made a false or misleading representation to consumers about its Little Kids Shredz products In June 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the …
A growing evidence base
More positive results have led to a call for nationwide acceptance of pharmacists in general practice, with scope for community pharmacists to integrate in the future A new study has …
TGA issues medicines safety update
Pharmacists have been reminded that first-generation oral sedating antihistamines are not approved for use in kids under two Following a coronial hearing of a fatal case involving a 74-day-old infant …
Double up leads to death from opioid toxicity
Two doctors have been implicated in the death of a 79-year-old man after he was administered morphine, despite having taken leftover Endone tablets prescribed to his late wife In August …
Drugs’ hidden side effects
One in four drugs with human targets has been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the gut, causing antibiotic-like side effects A research team from the European Molecular …