Go rural, urges Ekka’s Miss Popular
The Ekka’s Miss Popular for 2016 is urging pharmacists to consider practising in rural and remote areas for the professional satisfaction and sense of community.Only five years ago, Shana Edwards …
Roaccutane in medicines safety update
The TGA has issued a reminder to health professionals about the potential risks of psychiatric adverse risks associated with isotretinoin (Roaccutane) and the need for careful psychological assessment before and …
St Vincent’s report highlights hospital pharmacist role
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists has expressed its support for the findings of NSW Health’s final report into Off-protocol prescribing of chemotherapy for head and neck cancers as occurred at …
Weekly Dose: triptans, drugs that relieve migraine but only if taken at the right time
Weekly Dose: triptans, drugs that relieve migraine but only if taken at the right timeMichael Vagg, Barwon HealthTriptans are a group of drugs targeted at alleviating symptoms of migraine, a …
A game changer on lifetime learning
In December 2015 the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) made a decision that was a game changer for Australian pharmacists, says Joe Demarte, PSA national presidentThat decision was to revise the …
Australia’s medicine labels to change for first time 15 years
New labels will include easier-to-find active ingredients, a critical information panel and designated space for a dispensing labelThe TGA has announced it will be implementing two new labelling orders over …
World news wrapup: 11 August 2016
AJP takes a look at pharmacy news from around the worldMissouri, US: Five pharmacies from four states have filed a class-action lawsuit against pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts, reports Drug …
MedsASSIST hits two million recorded transactions
Monitoring system for medicines containing codeine has reached a significant milestoneMore than two million transactions involving OTC medicines containing codeine have been recorded by pharmacists participating in the MedsASSIST program, …
Metformin shortage update
Additional brands of extended release tablets have been added to the shortage list, while others are now more readily availableFollowing the TGA’s metformin shortage alert in mid-June, some brands have now had …
Medicines to treat side effects of other medicines?
Sometimes less is more beneficial, say University of Sydney researchersJesse Jansen, Senior Research Fellow, Sydney School of Public Health, University of SydneyAndrew McLachlan, Professor of Pharmacy (Aged Care), University of SydneyCarissa Bonner, Postdoctoral …
Public health body renews call for sugar tax and food policy
Renewed drive for fresh food prompted by data showing a significant amount of chronic disease is caused by poor dietThe Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s latest report reveals 31% of the …
5-fold increase in activity needed
A new study links increased weekly exercise to a reduced risk of five common diseasesUniversity of Queensland researcher Dr Lennert Veerman said a significant boost to physical activity level recommendations to the equivalent …