opioids
Pain management and opioid misuse
Despite regulatory changes to codeine, pharmacists continue to play a vital role in the safe and appropriate use of analgesics As our knowledge of pain has progressed, we now recognise …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Efficacy and safety of low-dose colchicine in patients with coronary disease A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials indicates that …
Opioid script changes mean well, but have left some people in chronic pain
How have changes to opioid prescribing affected some patients? Aili Langford, Carl Schneider, Christine Lin, and Danijela Gnjidic, from the University of Sydney, take a look Chronic pain affects about …
World news wrapup: 21 January 2021
Pharmacy allegedly bought 61 times the state average of fentanyl; actor asked to leave LA pharmacy for going maskless; customer queued at pharmacy and said they had COVID Cleveland, Ohio: …
Naloxone update
SHPA has released a practice update to support safe, immediate use of naloxone The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia notes that the opioid toxicity antidote is now more readily …
‘You have put a gun in my mum’s hand.’
A patient would visit her doctor several times a week and ask for “the usual”— thought to be Panadeine Forte, Temaze and Valium by her child who was in the …
Nuance needed: opioids and harm
Overreliance on opioid dose as a predictor of problems needs to be addressed – and pharmacists may need help assessing other predictors Problematic opioid behaviours in people with chronic pain, …
Opioid quantities studied
How many people were prescribed 10‐ or 20‐tablet pack sizes prior to PBAC-recommended changes? Research led by the Pharmacy Department at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane has reviewed oxycodone …
Are dentists being targeted for codeine?
A dentist and pharmacist has identified an increase in the prescribing by dentists of opioids, and suggests they should have access to real-time monitoring systems In a new article in …
Three vials of morphine tartrate a day
A former pharmacist obtained and consumed a “staggering” amount of morphine from the store he was managing, a Tribunal has heard The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard that the …
The week in review
Pharmacy was left in the cold this week when it comes to support… but we also heard stories of how the sector is supporting others The Federal Government gave its …
Navigating pain management a challenge
Misuse of opioids often starts innocently enough – but there needs to be greater awareness of the risk and how to address chronic pain, says one stakeholder While most people …