COVID-19
Melbourne’s second lockdown will take a toll on mental health
We need to look out for the vulnerable, writes Louise Stone, Australian National University Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are beginning another six weeks of lockdown due to a spike …
WHO drops two trial arms for COVID-19 treatment
The World Health Organization has discontinued the Solidarity Trial’s hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir arms as interim results show little or no benefit WHO has accepted the trial’s International Steering Committee recommendation …
‘Pharmacists and their staff felt forgotten.’
Pharmacy was often not consulted in the Queensland Government’s response to COVID-19, resulting in barriers to providing help, says one stakeholder The PSA’s submission to the Health, Communities, Disability Services …
Staying afloat on the wave of COVID-19 and beyond
Do you know how to ask someone you’re concerned about how they’re doing? Could you guide them to possible support options? And how do you maintain your own headspace? This …
Pharmacies bracing for ‘round two’
Stakeholders call for a pause in the easing of COVID-19 restrictions as the Guild wants pharmacy to be at the forefront of PPE distribution With nine Victorian public housing towers …
COVID cleaning costs pharmacies
COVID-19 infections have reached pharmacy, prompting a call for help with Government assistance Anthony Tassone, Victorian branch president of the Pharmacy Guild, says that the sector is beginning to feel …
Dispensing program wins an extension
Pharmacy groups welcome three month extension for continued dispensing arrangements Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced a three month extension to the temporary Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measures). This will take …
The week in review
The TGA’s been busy this week, and pharmacists report stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic We saw stakeholders react to the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement, with the Consumers Health Forum’s …
Consumers urged not to stockpile promising COVID drug
Stockpiling of dexamethasone is being “strongly discouraged” after preliminary findings from the UK found it could play a role in helping treat people with severe COVID-19 The PSA has posted …
Rethink needed after COVID-19
Doctors are advocating for an Australian National Centre for Disease Control in comments welcomed by the PSA In opening remarks to the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19, AMA president Dr …
Declining supply
Complaints about declining supply of medicine are on the rise, complicated by consumer behaviour thanks to COVID-19… what strategies can pharmacists use to manage the problem? PDL says that one …
‘There is still a higher-than-normal level of anxiety in pharmacy.’
Calls to PSS during the most acute phase of COVID-19 increased by 88%, with most related to the pandemic as well as stress, anxiety and patient care There was an …