medicines misuse
Enhanced warnings
Boxed warnings are set to be added to the PI and CMI for medicines containing pregabalin and gabapentin These enhanced warnings advise that pregabalin poses a risk of misuse, while …
Here to help
The rollout of SafeScript is highlighting the sheer number of Victorians at risk of harm from medicines of concern – and one program is offering to help Earlier this month, …
Clinical tips: prescription medication dependence
Pharmacists need to think beyond the headlines when it comes to dependence on medications, writes Karalyn Huxhagen When we think about dependence on medications our minds quickly consider opioids, benzodiazepines, …
Next steps: Consultation on strong opioid use and misuse
The TGA has commenced reviews into pack sizes, indications and label warnings for S8 opioids In response to rising numbers of opioid prescriptions and levels of overdose reaching “record levels”, …
Half don’t take meds as directed
Even patients who consider themselves proficient at managing their medicines engage in unsafe practices, new findings reveal A consumer perception survey of Australian Patients Association members found that half admitted …
Half feel unprepared to help codeine misusers
Only half of pharmacists believe they are adequately prepared to deal with a patient who is abusing OTC codeine, new figures show Among the data released by this week’s UTS …
Medicines misused
Pharmacists are being encouraged to talk to patients about medicines misuse this week Pharmacists are often the first people to notice when a person is using their medicines incorrectly, says …
Plan to stop misusers falling through cracks
People in eastern Melbourne will now have access to a new program aimed at addressing pharmaceutical misuse Pharmacists will have a key role in helping patients recover from misuse of …
No jail for forging script after overdose death
A pharmacist who supplied a man who later overdosed with zopiclone and codeine has been sentenced to 10 months’ home detention and 200 hours’ community work. Terrence Wong, also known …
Keep codeine combos OTC with reporting, says ASMI
ASMI today supported calls by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia for a national real-time monitoring system for over-the-counter codeine containing analgesics. Dr Deon Schoombie, …
ASMI welcomes Vic real-time monitoring
The Australian Self Medication Industry today welcomed the Victorian Government’s commitment of $300,000 for planning and development of a real-time prescription monitoring system to help reduce the inappropriate use of …
PSA welcomes Vic Govt pharmacist services support
The PSA has welcomed Victorian Government funding initiatives to improve access to pharmacist services and to progress the implementation of real time reporting to help reduce inappropriate use of some …