Clinical
New standards for MDMA, psilocybin
Manufactured or compounded psychedelics must be up to scratch to ensure consistency of products supplied to Australian patients, says TGA The Department of Health and Aged Care has published two …
‘An obvious void’ left by NPS MedicineWise closure
No one single organisation or person owns QUM following the demise of NPS MedicineWise, say key stakeholders, with some programs still on hold or under review The Quality Use of …
Women’s health PBAC boost
Endometriosis, OCP drug listings recommended to increase access and multiple treatment options for women The PBAC has recommended unrestricted benefit listings of drospirenone with ethinylestradiol (Yaz and Yasmin) oral contraceptive …
Opioids, antidepressants and adverse events in nursing homes
Pharmacists can provide valuable input for clinicians when it comes to the use of antidepressants and certain opioids, one expert says Researchers set out to investigate the concomitant use of …
‘We can recognise that experience and make sure it’s rewarded’
Should aged care onsite pharmacists have their years of experience graded and remunerated accordingly, like teachers? Since the onsite pharmacists initiative was announced, the profession has been eyeing it with …
IV supply ‘constrained throughout 2024’
Pharmacists are calling for local manufacturing to help reduce shortages, as the TGA issues guidance on IV fluids The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia has highlighted the shortage of …
Is UI overlooked in RMMRs?
What are the most-commonly prescribed urinary incontinence-inducing medicines in Australian residential aged care patients with dementia? A poster session presented at the recent Pharmaceutical Society of Australia conference, PSA24, has …
High-risk meds harm role
Hospital pharmacists could review scripts and analyse prescribing patterns to protect patients using high-risk medications, lead author of new study says Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that occur in hospital are …
New therapy on the way
A new Pharmacist-Only smoking cessation medicine is soon to be available A smoking cessation medicine newly available and approved in Australia has been listed as a Schedule 3 (Pharmacist-Only) medicine. …
Cough medicines in the spotlight
Scheduling decisions have been made for leading cough and cold products Two widely used cough suppression treatments were considered for rescheduling at the March 2024 meeting of the Therapeutic Goods …
Heart attack meds not consistent
Despite clear evidence of medication benefits during year after heart attack, low dispensing of key recommended medication classes has been found Medicine strategies following a heart attack vary from patient …
Top 10 checklist for adverse drug events developed
Experts agree on 10 most important signs and symptoms of psychotropic adverse events to condense into an easy-to-use checklist, with pharmacists “perfectly placed” to help Aged care workers can now …