News
PBS faces decade of negative real growth
The Guild’s prediction that the $18.9 billion figure in the 6CPA would not be delivered has come true, executive director David Quilty says Writing in this week’s edition of Forefront, …
Codeine claims and counter-claims
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy and the University of Sydney’s Peter Carroll have gone head-to-head on Radio National debating codeine efficacy and implication in overdose The two spoke to the …
Support for S3 ad restriction changes
The Australian Self Medication Industry has announced its support for the TGA’s commitment to change restrictions on the advertising of S3 medicines ASMI also says it supports the establishment of …
Leading the world
Why is Australian pharmacy not being recognised for its world-leading programs for codeine and pseudoephedrine recording and monitoring? Australian pharmacy has established world’s best practice in handling and recording sales …
Post-surgery opioids and misuse
A new study has shown that each refill and week of opioid prescription is associated with a large increase in opioid misuse The study, published in the BMJ, aimed to …
OTC codeine death claims ‘must stop’
Pharmacy Guild NSW Branch president David Heffernan has hit out at recent claims about deaths associated with OTC codeine, saying they defame pharmacists In a message to NSW Guild members, …
Pregnancy focus needed for ADHD meds
The incidence of women of reproductive age filling scripts for ADHD medicines has soared, up to 700% in one age group The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have …
OTC codeine: who’s addicted?
It’s possible that some people with codeine use disorder will emerge after February 2018 and present for help after their supplies run out, stakeholders say In an editorial in Australian …
Docs call for free flu jabs for all
The RACGP is calling for free vaccinations for all Australians, following NSW’s announcement of free jabs for under-fives Children between six months and five years old will be eligible for …
Five ways to respond to unhappy codeine customers
NPS MedicineWise has released new guidance for pharmacists on the codeine upschedule, focusing on five consumer concerns Drawing on the most common complaints and questions aired on social media about …
Is obesity contagious?
Living in a community where being overweight is common may incline individuals to becoming so themselves, a new study suggests The US researchers wrote that a “clustering” effect has been …
Keeping to the script
Don’t fall back on opioids or codeine combination products after Feb 1 rescheduling deadline, prescribers warned, as AMA boss says stockpiling is not a concern Australian prescribers have been warned …