News
Illicit drug role like ‘my involvement with customers,’ says jailed pharmacist
A pharmacy owner, jailed for his role in a methylamphetamine supply operation, appealed his sentence partly because he had lost his pharmacy businesses A pharmacy owner was part of a …
Regulator investigates Ozempic suicidal ideation link
Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication, Ozempic (semaglutide) and weight-loss treatment Saxenda (liraglutide) are being investigated, following reports they may be associated with suicidal ideation The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is looking …
Overstepping the boundaries
Notifications of health practitioner boundary violations have jumped by almost 50% in two years, Ahpra says There has been a “sustained jump” in the reporting of boundary violations by healthcare …
Vapes targeted
A statewide crackdown on vaping retailers has begun in South Australia, with compliance officers targeting any products known to contain nicotine In June 2023, the Malinauskas Government gave retailers including …
AFT launches on Amazon
Deal with Sell Global moves Kiwi battler onto US and Australian Amazon sites Feisty New Zealand outfit AFT Pharmaceuticals has launched own-branded online stores on the US and Australian Amazon …
Medical abortion dispensing to be open to all pharmacists
Landmark TGA easing of restrictions on MS-2 Step prescribing and dispensing from 1 August All pharmacists will be allowed to dispense medical abortion preparation MS-2 Step and it can be …
Ryzodeg product in shortage till mid-2024
A Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument has been made for Ryzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch Pharmacists can now substitute Ryzodeg 70/30 Penfill cartridges instead of Ryzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch prefilled pen under certain conditions, …
60-day dispensing to kill off rural resources
Rural towns with limited healthcare resources could be left without a pharmacy as a side effect of the Government’s double dispensing plan Patients in rural areas will bear the brunt …
Coroner’s ‘grave concerns’ over tramadol
A Victorian coroner has recommended further training regarding tramadol and its interactions, noting it is not included in SafeScript, following a woman’s death The Victorian woman, who had a history …
Palliative care groups sound alarm on drug drought
Concerns grow over discontinuation of “gold standard” pain relief brand Ordine from later this year A group of 18 palliative care organisations led by Palliative Care Australia is calling for …
Does the Department understand pharmacy?
Pharmacists should prepare for more confusion as Department of Health officials appear to have little insight into the profession’s role Issues surrounding the transition to the national methadone Pharmaceutical Benefits …
Not perfect, but new ODT guidelines ease script expiry fears
Revamped guidelines for the new national methadone Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) system remain flawed, but will better support patients, a pharmacist believes Pharmacists will be able to provide patients undergoing …