opioid replacement therapy
‘Reassuring’ findings on buprenorphine in pregnancy
New findings on exposure to buprenorphine compared with methadone in pregnancy “help reinforce practices that we are already seeing,” says leading addiction pharmacist Researchers who studied more than 18,000 pregnancies …
Death ‘less likely’ had patient not accessed two takeaway doses: coroner
Chief pharmacist questions prescribing doctor following patient’s overdose death Tasmania’s chief pharmacist has questioned a GP’s concurrent prescribing of oral methadone liquid and diazepam after a woman died from mixed …
State government to top up ORT payments
Community pharmacies in one jurisdiction are set to receive additional payments to deliver Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) funded opioid replacement therapy The Tasmanian government will provide top up payments …
Methadone disaster looming
With only days to go before changes to opioid management therapy come into place, Andrew Topp has some questions for the Government about how patient health is being put at …
Rego cancelled after dispensing ‘Dr Vet’ script
A pharmacist dispensed alprazolam to a dog on an expired script, among a series of other incidents including the irregular issuing of Suboxone dispensings as “repeats” The Civil and Administrative …
How did a four-week-old baby overdose on methadone?
An inquiry into a dispensing error, which saw compounded omeprazole for a baby contaminated with methadone, has found a NZ pharmacist did not dispense methadone safely New Zealand Deputy Health …
Latest on naloxone, e-cigs and illicit drug use
Has use of non-prescribed pharmaceutical opioids and nicotine e-cigarettes changed since monitoring and new laws kicked in? New Aussie reports share the latest data… Researchers from the National Drug & …
Promising results for extended-release buprenorphine
A study has shown high treatment retention and adherence, reduced substance use and depression, and improved quality of life among those receiving monthly BUP-XR Community use of long-acting buprenorphine has …
Chronic pain and opioids: How to talk tapering
Knowing how to begin patient conversations about opioid tapering can be challenging so NPS MedicineWise offers some practice tips to get the conversation off on the right footing. Use the …
‘I just want methadone.’
A Sydney pharmacy is winding up its methadone program after a man allegedly robbed it of two litres of the drug at knifepoint It was a busy afternoon, around 3.20pm, …
‘Burn-out’ led to dispensing errors
A pharmacist was censured and fined over $5,500 after he dispensed methadone without a valid script and allowed take-home doses when in-person dosing was required Stuff reports that an Auckland …
Fighting the dragon
Angelo Pricolo opens up about how the death of a young patient focused his approach to helping find support Working part-time in the inner Melbourne suburb of North Fitzroy was …