The opioid trap
How many people fall into addiction after getting a script from their doctor, and what role does the ED play? University of Sydney pharmacist researcher Dr Jonathan Penm recently conducted …
How new codeine laws will affect our rural communities
Rural and regional pharmacists need to act now to smoothe the codeine upschedule transition, writes Steven Kastrinakis From 1 February 2018, medicines containing codeine will no longer be available from …
Trouble as steroid users hit middle age
As anabolic steroid use increases in Australia, health experts warn the long-term health impacts are only just being understood “The alarming scientific findings are beginning to filter in,” said Harvard …
Guardian Angels share the warmth
Guardian Pharmacy has donated more than 40,000 knitted garments to the St Vincent de Paul Society The garments, which included beanies, scarves, jumpers and gloves, were donated by members of …
Pitchfork-wielding robber sentenced
A man who attempted to rob a pharmacy with a pitchfork has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment Jamie Richardson went to a pharmacy in Palmwoods, Queensland armed with a …
Codeine dos and don’ts
The TGA has released new guidelines to help pharmacy assistants during the codeine upschedule transition It has highlighted the fact that because of legal restrictions around advertising Pharmacist Only Medicines …
Meds shortages continue
Septrin Forte Tablets shortage to last until mid-Feb 2018, while several forms of estradiol patches continue to be unavailable Septrin Forte Tablets (Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim) are currently experiencing a shortage, which …
“Pharmacist prescribing – we need more of that!”
Health professionals recognise the importance of pharmacist involvement in reducing harm, says speaker at SHPA’s Medicines Management Conference 2017 Kim Oates, Emeritus Professor at Sydney University, paediatrician and advisor to …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby takes a look at the latest in research news Development of a clinical pharmacy model within an Australian home nursing service This paper describes a collaborative, person-centred model …
Meeting adjourned
Same-sex marriage debate puts the kibosh on annual Guild dinner The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s annual Parliament House dinner has become an unwitting collateral victim of the debate over same …
A snapshot of scepticism
A new study has quantified the disconnect between GP views on the codeine upschedule, and those held by pharmacists and codeine users The study, Attitudes in Australia on the upscheduling …
No more Codral codeine
Johnson & Johnson Pacific has confirmed that it will discontinue its codeine-containing Codral formulation The current formulation containing low-dose codeine is being phased out, a spokesperson for the company told …
