opioids
Real-time system needed, but not ‘silver bullet’
A Victorian coroner has called for a real-time prescription monitoring system to reduce pharmaceutical drug related harms and deaths following the death of a 47-year-old man who doctor shopped extensively …
Clinical tips: New parents explained
During the roller coaster ride that’s becoming a parent, new mums and dads may need more help than they’re keen to admit, writes Karalyn Huxhagen Becoming a new parent is …
GPs in the dark without real-time monitoring
GPs are prescribing opioids “in the dark,” says a prominent GP and medical advisor, MJA Insight reports, without a real-time prescription drug monitoring protocol. Dr Walid Jammal, Senior Medical Advisor, …
Make naloxone available through take-home programs: expert
Naloxone must become available through take-home programs without the need for doctor or pharmacist involvement, say Australian experts in a report published in the Medical Journal of Australia. The drug …
Opioid use quadruples in Australia, but others can’t access pain relief
Use of common opioid painkillers such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone has more than quadrupled in Australia over the past decade and doubled worldwide over the same period a report …
Codeine rescheduling delay causing harm: ScriptWise
The TGA decision to defer the rescheduling of codeine-containing OTC medications conflicts with rising codeine analgesics misuse, its devastating consequences and the recognition that opioid misuse is a public health …
Naloxone downschedule will save lives: Angelo Pricolo
The TGA has recommended that naloxone minijet be scheduled to Pharmacist Only medicine—a decision which will likely save lives, says Angelo Pricolo, the Brunswick pharmacist who made the submission. This …
ACMS interim decision: OTC codeine could go S4
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has expressed concern at the proposed re-scheduling of codeine containing analgesics to Schedule 4, Prescription Only Medicine. The interim decision of the Advisory Committee on …
Opioid prescription meds among most over-prescribed: RACP
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is calling for greater awareness of the over-prescribing of opioid prescription medication for pain. RACP President, Laureate Professor Nick Talley, says opioids are now …
Electronic recording and reporting of controlled drugs needed now: Quilty
It’s time for a national system for the Electronic Recording and Reporting of Controlled Drugs, says Pharmacy Guild executive director David Quilty. Writing in this week’s edition of Guild newsletter …
Better approach needed in chronic non-cancer pain: NPS
A multimodal approach to managing chronic non-cancer pain is needed, says NPS MedicineWise, as the number of scripts for opioids continues to rise. Around one in five Australians experience chronic …
Consumers need codeine access
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has welcomed comments made by the Federal Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, acknowledging and supporting the skills of pharmacists to effectively and safely manage the …
