Tales From The Frontline
Can I wear thongs?
Angelo Pricolo faces up to his fears—and his feet—but at least he was able to come prepared After enduring the pain of two ingrown big toenails for most of my …
Half minimum chips
Angelo Pricolo muses on odd requests, from the patient who offered to supply his own cocaine for nose drops, to the man who wanted staff to apply his suppository As …
The Generic
No question has divided more patients, pharmacists and doctors in recent times than “Do you want the generic?”, writes Angelo Pricolo The question has intensified, as more expired patents have …
Dot Matrix
Angelo Pricolo reflects on noisier and more frustrating times in community pharmacy… and a new, intrusive menace The pharmacy has become a quieter place as technology has improved conditions. The …
The storm
How could anyone have predicted that amazing night? asks Angelo Pricolo On 21 November 2016 Melbourne experienced the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event, which was unparalleled in size, severity and impact. Calls to …
‘Well that’s no good if you are still taking the methadone…’
Angelo Pricolo writes about a friend and patient who was stable on his methadone treatment, helping kids in sport and active in preventive health… but then stigma reared its ugly …
Ensuring a COVID-safe Santa
Does Santa need to defer Christmas due to the pandemic? Or does he need to update his approach to become a virtual Santa, Zoom Santa or click‐and‐collect Santa? Australian experts …
Graffiti: The spray can God
Why are some businesses targeted by graffiti artists when others are not? Angelo Pricolo ponders an art form and irritant Walking the perimeter of the pharmacy on a daily basis …
“Hold-up:” two words you don’t want to hear in a pharmacy
Angelo Pricolo recounts how his former boss handled a difficult situation… by doing everything pharmacists are taught not to do You never say “hold-up” in a pharmacy. Even if the …
Nice Fro Bro
Would it be a faux pas to mention this accessory to a patient? Angelo Pricolo finds out… Those of you that know me know that I don’t entertain lots of …
The Puma tracksuit
Angelo Pricolo navigates a tense situation in the 1980s It’s funny how, after so many years, the Puma tracksuit still sparks such a vivid memory. In fact it dates that …
An unlikely ally
Angelo Pricolo remembers a patient who scared him… at first Some may be old enough to remember Serpico and that enormous role that Al Pacino played in the film adaptation …