World news wrapup: 12 May 2022
Unlicensed UK “pharmacist” caught dispensing methadone; Canadian pharmacist suspended after failure to supervise staff member; US pharmacist investigated over fake COVID jab cards Rochdale, Greater Manchester: A man has been …
Social media complaints on the rise
“Inappropriate” conduct by pharmacists on social media can lead to complaints of professional misconduct and even penalties, warns council body Practitioners have been on the receiving end of a rising …
TGA to investigate ‘intentional’ paracetamol misuse
Report commissioned to look at self-harm risks from paracetamol The TGA has announced a report on the risks of self-harm from intentional paracetamol misuse. It commissioned the report, to be produced …
Supply ‘constrained’ but improving
Substitution instrument extended for abatacept, while others end The Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) for abatacept (Orencia), originally set to expire on 30 April, has been extended until 30 June. …
Asthma reliever concern remains
An updated version of the Australian Asthma Handbook has been released, with information on new medicines The National Asthma Council Australia today launched the Australian Asthma Handbook V2.2 which includes …
New services and impact on workload
Pharmacy owners need to keep a close eye on whether the number of staff dispensing is in line with workload guidelines, says one authority In its latest circular, the Victorian …
Weight-loss run on diabetes drug
‘Online’ GPs’ off-label prescribing of medication for weight loss key to shortage, says Twomey Diabetes patients are experiencing difficulties accessing supplies of type-2 diabetes treatment Ozempic because “entrepreneurial GPs” are …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Common conditions that mimic asthma Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in Australia, affecting 11% of the population. …
An ‘unreasonable’ pursuit: Tribunal
Pharmacist to pay costs to Pharmacy Board following dispute over registration A dispute over registration requirements has ended in a pharmacist paying costs to the Pharmacy Board of Australia, although …
Pharmacists on alert over forged S8 scripts
Health ministry shares common signs of forged S8 scripts after warning of increasing numbers of forgeries being dispensed The NSW Ministry of Health is reminding pharmacists to “carefully scrutinise” the …
Moderna vaccine sales treble in first quarter
COVID-19 mRNA vaccine sends income and profits through the roof Vaccine sales for US biotech company Moderna were three times what they were for the same period last year, according …
‘Bizarre’ claims ‘yet another example of why the AMAQ can’t be trusted’: Guild
Doctors say their “only option” has been to report pharmacists involved with the Queensland UTI trial to the state’s Health Ombudsman, AMA head reveals The Pharmacy Guild has denied claims …