pain management
‘Codeine road trips’ less likely, but there’s still a way to go
The number of stories such as the tale of “Britney,” who reportedly goes on cross-border trips to buy codeine, are likely to have plummeted since the introduction of MedsASSIST, stakeholders …
Codeine decision an opportunity as most take up MedsASSIST
The TGA’s long-awaited decision on the scheduling future of currently-OTC codeine-containing medicines – whatever that decision may be – will be an opportunity for pharmacy, says a pain expert. Joyce …
Aussies ignorant on opioid addiction, but not pharmacists
A huge proportion of Australians believe negative stereotypes about people with opioid addictions, but pharmacists are, for the most part, a significant exception. So says Bee Ismail, CEO of ScriptWise, …
Weekly Dose: Fentanyl, the anaesthetic that may have been used as a chemical weapon on Chechen rebels
Weekly Dose: fentanyl, the anaesthetic that may have been used as a chemical weapon on Chechen rebels Nial Wheate, University of Sydney Fentanyl is a synthetic analgesic (pain relieving) drug …
Mindfulness and meditation better than opioids?
Could mindfulness and meditation be more powerful than opioids for lower back pain? The University of Queensland School of Psychology’s Dr Melissa Day is conducting a project that will test that possibility. “Chronic …
Four reasons codeine should be S4 – but Guild disagrees
A pain specialist and researcher says there’s no evidence of benefit from current codeine-containing OTC products – and that “we can’t have a drug of abuse available over the counter”. …
Poll results: pharmacy supports MedsASSIST
The AJP’s poll on codeine monitoring tool MedsASSIST have shown that Australian pharmacy strongly supports the program. Last week we asked, “Is your pharmacy using MedsASSIST?” after posters in our …
Why I’m losing codeine sales
If you’re not using MedsASSIST, you’re helping neither patients nor pharmacy, writes Samantha Kourtis Since MedsASSIST was rolled out and I decided to use it in my pharmacy, I’ve experienced …
Guild responds to opioids feature
Pharmacy Guild executive director has written to the editor of The Good Weekend to congratulate the magazine on its article, The Pain Killers. The feature article, by Stephanie Wood, told …
Poll: Is your pharmacy using MedsASSIST?
Is your pharmacy using MedsASSIST? With the TGA yet to make its final decision on codeine – which its website says will be made after this month – some codeine-containing …
Morphine can double pain duration
Instead of helping to overcome chronic pain, morphine can more than double the duration of pain, as well as amplifying its severity, according to new international research involving the University …
Opioids have minimal benefit in low back pain
New research from The George Institute for Global Health and the University of Sydney has found that opioid painkillers, commonly used in low back pain, provide minimal benefit. The findings …