Clinical
How VAD telehealth loophole harms patients with ‘substantial delays’: SHPA
Hospital pharmacists have underlined their support for better access to VAD services, as the Territories grow closer to offering the service Earlier this month independent MP Kate Chaney introduced a …
No consensus on vaping products
With pharmacies to become the only legal source of nicotine vaping products from 1 March, a study has found that pharmacists and authorised prescribers may differ on their use for …
Telehealth gets tick of approval
Pharmacists participating in ward rounds via telehealth ramped up activities for Covid-19 patients compared to face-to-face attendance, study finds Hospital pharmacists can successfully deliver services and participate in medical ward …
Gaps and inequities
One specialist cancer pharmacist has spoken out about the “postcode lottery” of limitations to PBS funding depending on a patient’s treatment location The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia’s head …
‘Tragic’ anomaly leaves patients in pain, pharmacists afraid: Chaney
Pharmacists are afraid to even talk about voluntary assisted dying on the telephone with doctors, the House of Representatives has heard Kate Chaney, the independent member for Curtin, has introduced …
‘Really robust’ collaboration trial hoped to set standard
Researchers aim to help set collaborating prescribing practices as Australia’s expected standard of care, with a new project on reducing hospital medication errors Pharmacists are partnering with patients and doctors …
Substitution arrangement for fluoxetine
Temporary approval granted for replacement oral fluoxetine product as shortage continues Due to the shortage of fluoxetine (brand name: Zactin Tablet), the Federal Department of Health has announced it has …
Promising findings on pharmacist UTI management
Evidence suggests “promise” of safe and effective management of UTIs by community pharmacists, but more research is needed, and a viable economic model is crucial While the available evidence suggests …
A need to be more discrete
Guidelines for pharmacists dispensing opioids may need to be more specific to aid in reducing opioid-related harms, say researchers Gaps in existing guidelines may be preventing pharmacists from fulfilling their …
Adjustment made to scheduling changes
Confirmation of changes to the scheduling of laxative and antihistamine medicines, but with some last minute changes The Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling (ACMS) has confirmed previous preliminary changes to …
Keeping it simple
Can hospital inpatients discharged to a residential aged care facility take their medicines in a simpler way? One study suggests that it does A group of South Australian researchers, led …
PBS clarifies biosimilar warning codes
Warning codes not always a block on biosimilar substitution, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) says Pharmacists receiving PBS warning reason codes 162 and 163 when substituting a biosimilar for a reference …