News
ACCC suspends Sigma, CWH merger timeline
Regulator to announce revised date for decision on Sigma Healthcare’s proposed merger with Chemist Warehouse Group The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is suspending its timeline to announce a …
Smoking cessation meds in pregnancy need more evidence: study
Women need more support to quit smoking during pregnancy but there is a lack of evidence around medicines safety, say researchers A UNSW Sydney-led study of 1.7 million pregnancies in …
Contaminated cocaine prompts Take Home Naloxone push
Pharmacists are being urged to be proactive in offering Take Home Naloxone after authorities discover opioid-tainted cocaine Concerns over the discovery of white powder containing protonitazene, a synthetic opioid, …
Oral opioid shortages to continue
Shortages of Oxynorm capsules and Ordine oral liquid are expected to last until late 2024, the TGA reports Manufacturers of two oral opioid products are forecasting that shortages of some …
Credentials for consultants launch
The PSA has launched its full suite of credentials, including pathways for both experienced consultant pharmacists and those looking to expand their practice The Medication Management Review (MMR) credential and …
‘No more excuses’ for low pay: union
The 8CPA doesn’t address concerns about working conditions, says the employee pharmacists’ union Professional Pharmacists Australia says that the 8CPA was delivered by the Federal Labor Government to provide more …
‘These powers will only be used in exceptional circumstances’
Unregistered practitioners—including suspended practitioners—can be prevented from treating patients under a suite of new Ahpra powers These new powers enable the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and National Boards to …
Labor steps up fight against illicit vapes
Government appoints Australian Border Force Assistant Commissioner to tackle black market nicotine products Australian Border Force Assistant Commissioner, Erin Dale has been appointed as the inaugural Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette …
Nominations open for Sainsbury awards
APC to honour pharmacy educators with 2024 Dr Erica Sainsbury Awards The Australian Pharmacy Counci (APC) has opened nominations for the Dr Erica Sainsbury Awards. Now in their second year, …
Profession needs vape guidelines
TGA urged to review vapes and produce guidelines to allay pharmacists’ concerns about stocking products The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) needs to review the safety, efficacy and performance of vaping …
Pharmacists get expanded scope in Tasmania
Tasmanian pharmacists get green light to extend prescriptions for oral contraceptives Expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice to authorise them to supply oral contraceptives will improve access, Pharmaceutical Society of …
A better choice
Pharmacist “champions” can assist prescribers to make more informed choices on empirical prescribing of antibiotics, study finds More education is needed for prescribers to use antibiograms to improve their antibiotic …