Combo therapy could boost quit rates
Could adding nicotine lozenges to varenicline treatment boost smoking cessation rates? A new study has shown promising results Nicotine lozenges may be safely used alongside varenicline to help smokers quit, …
‘No quick fix’ for pelvic pain
Pharmacists are “often the first port of call” for women with pelvic pain. Knowing the relevant medicines, red flags and when to refer are top of the list on how …
Smoking cessation meds in pregnancy need more evidence: study
Women need more support to quit smoking during pregnancy but there is a lack of evidence around medicines safety, say researchers A UNSW Sydney-led study of 1.7 million pregnancies in …
A better choice
Pharmacist “champions” can assist prescribers to make more informed choices on empirical prescribing of antibiotics, study finds More education is needed for prescribers to use antibiograms to improve their antibiotic …
Long-term opioids higher after ED, trauma admissions
Codeine combinations most dispensed after hospital discharge, with some groups revealing higher rates of long-term opioid use, study finds Long-term use of opioids following hospital admission or emergency department (ED) …
Pharmacy role in psychedelics dispensing
Pharmacists reminded of dispensing obligations and potential drug interactions as patients begin to receive MDMA-assisted psychotherapy Patients in the community are beginning to receive MDMA-assisted psychotherapy after the drug was …
Pill testing trial to kick off this summer
The 18-month Victorian trial aims to combat rise in drug-related ED admissions and increase in illicit potent opioids Victoria will be running a pill testing trial for up to 18 …
Deprescribing missing from guidelines
New research has found many clinical practice guidelines contain limited guidance on deprescribing… could pharmacists be the missing link? Deprescribing recommendations are becoming more common but are still missing from …
‘Any symptoms that cause distress should be taken seriously’
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms affect around one in six people, a large study estimates, after taking into account the “nocebo” effect One in six people who stop taking antidepressants experience discontinuation …
Community pharmacists prone to isolation, stress
With one in two pharmacists suffering from burnout and younger pharmacists at higher risk, peer support programs could help reduce stress and boost resilience, say researchers Community pharmacists are at …
Skin treatments to become ‘more accessible’
Trained NSW pharmacists to treat four skin conditions in impending trial expansion, with increased remuneration for those providing consultations Participating pharmacists who undertake additional training will be able to supply …
Emergency pharmacists speed up pain relief
Pharmacists included on trauma response teams significantly improve speed and delivery of pain relievers to trauma patients, Melbourne trial finds The Pharmacists in Trauma (PHIT) Trial, conducted by Alfred Health …