In Depth
What do codeine shoppers really need?
There has been a lot of discussion by pharmacists in recent times about surveillance of codeine shoppers, writes 2010 PSA Pharmacist of the Year Karalyn Huxhagen. Codeine seeking behaviour is …
Clinical tips: smoking cessation explained
Tobacco smoking and addiction is the major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in Australia; pharmacists are very well placed to assist with smoking cessation. Smokers are at increased risk …
Clinical tips: macular degeneration explained
Macular degeneration is a progressive, chronic disease affecting the central part of the retina responsible for central sight. This affects the ability to read, drive, recognise faces and perform activities …
Stroke: how pharmacy can help
Picture six people in a room – a dinner party – now picture one of them being devastated by a stroke. That stroke taking their capacity to speak, to walk …
Clinical tips: Hypertension explained
Australian Health Survey data for 2011–12 indicate that about 10% of the population has hypertensive disease, 10% asthma and 10% depression. General Practitioners report that the most common chronic diseases …
Clinical tips: asthma explained
Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental …
Pain Management and pharmacy
As the most accessible healthcare providers pharmacists can play a vital role in helping people with safe and effective pain management.
Clinical tips: multiple sclerosis explained
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system in which the myelin sheaths protecting nerve fibres becomes damaged and scarred. The name multiple sclerosis refers to scars …
Clinical tips: veterans health explained
Veterans health for many years has related to returned servicemen from the two world wars and the Vietnam War. A new group of returned servicemen are now presenting with their …
Clinical tips: Parkinson’s disease explained
Parkinson’s disease is second to dementia as the most common neurological condition in Australia and its cause is poorly understood. There is a lack of awareness in the health and …
Clinical tips: Food safety explained
Clinical tips: Food safety explained. There have been recent reports in the press of people who contracted hepatitis A from imported frozen berries. These and other events certainly brought to …
Pharmacists key in interprofessional collaboration
As pharmacists we need to be active in improving inter-professional collaboration and communication. I feel that the way to move our profession forward and facilitate positive change, is for passionate …