Practice Update
Medicine-induced pruritus
Chronic itch (pruritus) is one of the most prevalent and least addressed symptoms in older patients, affecting up to 25% of adults aged over 65 years, with the highest rates …
Ankylosing spondylitis: an overview
Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to contribute to earlier identification, improved medication management, and enhanced outcomes for patients living with ankylosing spondylitis. By Zaheeda Patel BPharm, AACPA, MACP Learning outcomes After …
Supporting pregnant women with or at risk of pre-eclampsia: a pharmacist’s guide
Pharmacists play a key role in identifying women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, supporting adherence to preventive therapies, and ensuring the safety and appropriate use of medicines in pregnancy. By …
Management of opioid overdose in a community setting
Evidence from Australian research highlights that pharmacist-led naloxone interventions significantly improve overdose response and survival rates, reinforcing the pharmacist’s role as a critical contributor to reducing opioid-related mortality. By Dr …
Acute coronary syndromes: new guideline for diagnosis and management
A new guideline represents a significant advance in the diagnosis and management of people with suspected or confirmed acute coronary syndromes. By Karalyn Huxhagen BPharm, FPS, CredPharm (MMR), consultant pharmacist Learning …
Management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum
Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for pregnant women experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. As such, they play a critical role …
Off-label and unlicensed medicines use—a paediatric perspective
As more pharmacists extend their scope of practice, they will need to manage scenarios where children require medication outside the approved conditions for age, therapeutic indication, dose recommendation, formulation, and/or …
Weight loss: which medications are evolving as class leaders?
In recent times, pharmacists have been besieged by patients requesting medications for weight loss. How do these medications work and what is their place in weight management? By Karalyn Huxhagen …
Oesophageal spasms: an overview
Pharmacists can play a significant role in supporting patients with oesophageal spasms through medicine counselling, lifestyle modification advice, and recognising patients that require further medical assessment by a GP or …
Complementary and alternative medicines for weight reduction
The complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) sector of the weight loss market often receives poor press because of the lack of scientific evidence underpinning products. Pharmacists can be implicated in …
Dietary advice and nutritional support for patients with chronic conditions
Poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles can significantly contribute to global burden of disease, particularly non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia.1 Pharmacists are well-positioned to educate and …