Ireland passes plain packaging legislation
Ireland has become the first country in Europe, and the second in the world, to pass legislation requiring plain packaging for cigarettes. This shows strong leadership, says the Cancer Council: …
Pharmacy at ‘tipping point’ says Xenophon
Pharmacy is at a tipping point, having taken an undue burden of heavy lifting from budget cuts – resulting in many pharmacies facing bankruptcy and staff layoffs, Senator Nick Xenophon …
GP copay scrapped, but no word on script copay rise
The $5 copayment to see a GP has been scrapped – but there’s no word yet on whether increased copayments on PBS scripts will stay. The Public Health Association of …
Kids at risk of fentanyl exposure: NPS
Infants and children are at a higher risk of accidental exposure to fentanyl patches, NPS MedicineWise has warned. Fentanyl prescribing in Australia has increased over the last decade, and so …
Can coffee reduce heart attack?
More research is needed to confirm whether drinking coffee can reduce the risk of a heart attack, Heart Foundation CEO Mary Barry says. A study by Korean researchers, published in …
TPP to hurt medicines compliance: report
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement poses risks to Australians in terms of medicines compliance and affordability, tobacco and alcohol policies and nutrition labelling, a new report has found. And Shadow Health …
‘Shop around’ as insurance premiums rise
Customers should be encouraged to shop around for the best deal as private health insurance premiums will increase substantially from April, says Health Minister Sussan Ley. With a weighted industry …
Funding go-slow frustrates in electronic drugs reporting
Lack of funds and training is frustrating PSA’s NSW branch president Stephen Carter as they slow the rollout of Electronic Recording and Reporting of Controlled Drugs system (eRRCD). Carter told …
Should energy drinks be regulated?
International health experts are calling on governments to take a stronger regulatory stand on caffeinated energy drinks, which have been associated with cardiac arrest and sudden death, heart palpitations, digestive …
Higher copayments to reduce adherence?
Higher copayments and higher pricing signals not only impact on medication adherence but may lead to a rise in rates of discontinuation of some medications, a new study finds – …
Does Alzheimer’s disease start in the heart?
A radical new approach may overturn the prevailing medical wisdom that Alzheimer’s disease has its origins in the brain, according to a new review of the evidence. The alternative explanation …
Chondroitin benefits confirmed
The Australian Self Medication Industry has welcomed new research that confirmed the benefits of chondroitin sulphate for osteoarthritis. A Cochrane Review of 9,110 people across 43 randomised controlled studies revealed …