‘Substantial’ rise in private scripts for opioids
A decline in PBS dispensing of opioid analgesics has been offset by a marked rise in private scripts, particularly for immediate release formulations, new data shows Opioid use in Australia …
‘It’s all about quality of life at the end’
What role can pharmacists play in helping people receive end-of-life care in the community? Sheshtyn Paola investigates Key points While many people prefer to die at home, this often depends …
Cost, stigma may drive consumers to illicit market
Barriers to medicinal cannabis scripts reported in new Australian study, which suggests need to make scripts pathway “more accessible, affordable and appealing” Australians who report recent use of non-prescribed cannabis …
Low HMR uptake for high-risk cohort
Do HMRs reduce hospitalisations or admissions to long-term care facilities? A new study has closely looked at carefully matched groups to find out A new study of older people receiving …
‘This threat is growing’
More than 39 million people could die from antibiotic-resistant infections over the next 25 years: new global analysis Future forecasts indicate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) deaths will rise steadily in the …
‘Tragedy’ after VAD spouse death
Coroner slams voluntary assisted dying self-administration laws that led to the death of a VAD patient’s spouse from ‘the most dangerous of pharmaceutical products’ The death of a VAD patient’s …
Limited PBS access, shortages may impact add-on therapy
Prevalence of add-on therapy in people with type 2 diabetes is “low” and should be increased to save lives, PBS records analysis finds More Australians with type 2 diabetes need …
60-day uptake ‘quite modest’: expert
Pharmacy financials looking “pretty strong” due to low uptake of 60-day dispensing to date, says leading analyst, with first additional payments due by end of Oct Lower-than-expected uptake of 60-day …
‘It is not the role of a regulatory pharmacist to make clinical decisions’
PRU officers’ role queried following inquest into a man’s tragic death from prescribed Physeptone tablets and Stilnox A coroner has called on the NSW Ministry of Health to review its …
Deprescribing benefits for the “young old”
Deprescribing interventions could see mortality reductions and health benefits for older people if initiated early, a large Australian review has found Deprescribing polypharmacy does not result in a significant reduction …
‘We cannot risk further delays’
Federal Government accused of “failing to commit” to a national RSV immunisation program after rejections to fund two vaccines, and protracted negotiations over a third The PBAC has rejected funding …
Book Review: Maya’s Pharmacy Adventure
This new children’s picture book written by a pharmacist is a treasure trove of medicines safety advice for laypeople When I first brought home this new picture book, written by …