Clinical
Changing the label
Pharmacists question proposed label and advisory changes for OTC mometasone preparations Both the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the PSA had concerns over the proposed new advisory statements for labels …
Hope for new mental health treatment options
MDMA and psilocybin may show promise for mental health treatment when administered in closely clinically supervised settings, independent panel finds MDMA and psilocybin may show potential as therapeutic agents for …
Vaccine maker’s Covid scare
CSL’s Melbourne Broadmeadows facility had a positive COVID-19 case One of the CSL production facilities producing the Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine, Vaxzevria, has had a positive COVID-19 case of its own, …
Extending the date
TGA issues guidance on post-expiry date usage of shortage-impacted treatment The Therapeutic Goods Administration says tocilizumab vials continue to be stable for a further six months past their labelled expiry …
First monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID approved
The TGA has announced its approval of the first monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 in Australia Australians with COVID-19 who are at risk of hospitalisation will now have access to …
Scarcity substitution notice issued
Pharmacists now able to substitute alternatives for menopause treatment after a scarcity notification was issued The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised of a shortage of all strengths of …
Struggling for supply
Shortage notice issued for multiple presentations of arthritis treatment The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a warning regarding shortages of multiple presentations of tocilizumab (Actemra). Roche, the sponsor of …
Non-adherence to anti-hypertensives high during pregnancy
Pregnant women have poor adherence to anti-hypertensives, despite the risk of complications, study finds Pharmacists have a major role to play in educating women on the need to remain adherent …
Out of public view
Medicines scheduling committee knocks back attempts to allow advertising for a number of Pharmacist Only medications The Therapeutic Goods Administration has rejected proposed amendments to current medicine schedules that would …
The children’s asthma conundrum
Pediatric asthma care in Australia remains disjointed, with marked differences in post-discharge care, management and knowledge, a new survey reveals A cross-sectional survey of 502 hospital nursing and medical staff …
Call to arms
Review findings highlight the vital role pharmacists can play in opioid stewardship Findings from a new review show that pharmacists are ideally positioned to promote and implement effective opioid stewardship—providing …
More than 11-fold increase in dispensing
A Queensland study examining opioid dispensing and prescribing to all adults over a 21-year period found some interesting results The number of people dispensed opioids in Queensland increased more than …