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RGH E-Bulletin: Treatment-emergent affective switch
 "Antidepressants are commonly used as adjuncts to mood-stabilising agents such as lithium or sodium valproate for patients with bipolar affective disorder. It has been reported that treatment with antidepressants may be associated with the induction of episodes of mania or hypomania in 15-40% of bipolar patients. The phenomenon of abnormal mood elevation during antidepressant treatment, or ‘treatment-emergent affective switch’ was first described in association with tricyclic antidepressants, and has now been reported for all major antidepressant classes."
Click here to read this E-Bulletin in full. The E-Bulletins are archived on the AusPharmList website here. Post a comment to AusPharmList.
Guild President warns employee pharmacists on wages
In an opinion piece published in Pharmacy News on Friday (here), Guild President Kos Sclavos warns employee pharmacists that there is pressure on pharmacist wages in Australia and overseas.
 Citing the global financial crisis and government policy as precipitating factors Mr Sclavos points out that pharmacists' wages have recently declined in many parts of the world.
He points out that, in Australia, "comments by some pharmacists will only cause damage to their own remuneration in the long term" adding that "the critics of community pharmacy from within our profession, who incorrectly believe community pharmacy owners are faring well and are calling for cuts in the Agreement, should keep in mind the jobs of their pharmacist colleagues." Post a comment to AusPharmList.
Nitschke to promote illegal pill
ABC news
Darwin-based euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke says he does not expect to be arrested for promoting a new illegal pill here and overseas. All today's 'In the news' links >
Use it or lose your retirement dreams
ABC Health and Wellbeing
Staying active into your 70s, 80s and even 90s, is not only possible but vital to optimising quality of life, a growing body of evidence shows. All today's 'Last Word' links >
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Tips for finding reliable health information sources on the web
To help consumers find the best information sources on the internet, the National Prescribing Service (NPS) has published a guide in the latest edition of MedicinesTalk.
 “There are a number of things to consider when you are searching for health information on the internet; most importantly that the content is accurate,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said. More >
Job of the day
PHARMACISTS for CHRISTMAS ISLAND WA
Are you looking for a complete change in scenery and the experience of a lifetime all rolled into one? We have an exciting opportunity available for 2 Full-Time Pharmacists to join the Health Focus Pharmacy team on Christmas Island.  Christmas Island is a tiny dot in the Indian Ocean, located 2600km northwest of Perth, Western Australia. Even though it is an Australian Territory, its closest neighbour is Java, 360km away. Christmas Island is one of nature's most impressive feats, an island full of natural wonders: Yet it also displays a curious amalgam of cultures, history and industry, emerging as a place where all these elements create a truly unusual travel and work experience. More >
Get your PMP, DAA data in now
The first data submission period for the Dose Administration Aids (DAA) and Patient Medication Profile (PMP) Programs opened on November 1 and will run through until 30 November 30.
 Pharmacies who submit their data (here) in November are eligible for the payments of $1,000 for DAA and $750 for PMP.
If you haven’t yet registered for the programs, it's not too late. You can still register to participate here. Post a comment to AusPharmList.
Being boss takes its toll on health
ABC Science
Being the boss might mean more money and challenging work but it can also take a toll on physical and mental well-being, according to a Canadian study. All today's 'Last Word' links >
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AusPharmList Post of the day
Budget changes to start 1 Dec 09
Geoff Timbs
The last Budget included 2 measures to start on 1/12/09. The first is a new therapeutic group for Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin and presumably Crestor will be dropping their price or wearing a large premium from Dec 1st....don't do a bulk buy.
The second is to extend reference pricing to "all non-exempt items in a therapeutic group" to remove anomalies and save $61 million. Does anyone have any idea what this means...MA tells me to ask the Dept, the Dept says it is on their website but can't tell me where and the Guild is waiting for more info. This should be something we receive adequate notice to minimise windfall losses on stock on hand. All todays' AusPharmList posts >
AusPharm CE: RGH E-Bulletin Digest No. 17
The next in our 2009 series of continuing education activities is the RGH E-Bulletin Digest No. 17.
After completing this activity, pharmacists should be able to:
- Understand important drug interactions with urinary alkalinisers
- Describe important clinical aspects of refeeding syndrome
- Discuss the management of thiamine deficiency
- Describe the clinical pharmacology of bevacizumab
Click here to do this Continuing Education activity.  Or, if you prefer, you might like to take a look at our other CE activities here  .
 AusPharm gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the sponsors of our CE program, MIMS. More >
Women Have Special Concerns with Prescription Medications
Newswise
Most people have taken a prescription medication at one time or another, but according to a report from the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, not only do women take more medications during their lifetimes, women are more likely to suffer from adverse drug events than men. All today's 'Last Word' links >
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| | AusPharm Job of the Day : PHARMACISTS for CHRISTMAS ISLAND WA |  | | | | | | | Are you looking for a complete change in scenery and the experience of a lifetime all rolled into one? We have an exciting opportunity available for 2 Full-Time Pharmacists to join the Health Focus Pharmacy team on Christmas Island. Christmas Island is a tiny dot in the Indian Ocean, located 2600km northwest of Perth, Western Australia. Even though it is an Australian Territory, its closest neighbour is Java, 360km away. Christmas Island is one of nature's most impressive feats, an island full of natural wonders: Yet it also displays a curious amalgam of cultures, history and industry, emerging as a place where all these elements create a truly unusual travel and work experience. Click anywhere below for more information about this job or to apply for this job. 
AusPharmJobs.net.au is the most comprehensive Pharmacy job network available in Australia today. Visit the AusPharmJobs.net.au website to search for a job or advertise a job here.
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| | | Tips for finding reliable health information sources on the web | | | | | | | |  To help consumers find the best information sources on the internet, the National Prescribing Service (NPS) has published a guide in the latest edition of MedicinesTalk.
“There are a number of things to consider when you are searching for health information on the internet; most importantly that the content is accurate,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.
“Check who has created the website and determine its purpose – has it been created to provide information, sell a product or tell a personal story? Be wary of sites that exist to sell a product or service. Some companies also use blogs and websites to gather patient stories and feedback for use in positioning their products,” Dr Weekes said.
“When looking for information about specific medicines, particularly prescription medicines, it is best to use only Australian websites as product names vary from country to country.”
“It’s also important to ensure the information is up to date. Good websites will say when its pages were last updated. Medical research is constantly evolving and information that was correct a year ago may no longer be considered relevant.”
  “Finally, if a website displays the HealthInsite (at left) or Health on the Net Foundation (HoN) logos (at right), it has been judged to be of good quality and suitable for consumers.”
Some trust-worthy websites include:
www.betterhealthchannel.vic.gov.au
www.mydr.com.au
www.healthinsite.gov.au
www.nps.org.au/consumers
www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au
“Even if the information you find is from a reliable website, use it only as a guide. Try not to self-diagnose using information from the internet - if you are concerned about anything see your GP and tell them where you found the information,” Dr Weekes advised.
To view the full article and others in the Spring edition of MedicinesTalk go to www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicines_talk
Post a comment to AusPharmList.
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| | | AusPharm CE: RGH E-Bulletin Digest No. 17 | | | | | | | | The next in our 2009 series of continuing education activities is the RGH E-Bulletin Digest No. 17.
This CE activity assesses your understanding of four recent RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletins (Volumes 35-6 to 35-9 --> September - October 2009).
After completing this activity, pharmacists should be able to:
- Understand important drug interactions with urinary alkalinisers
- Describe important clinical aspects of refeeding syndrome
- Discuss the management of thiamine deficiency
- Describe the clinical pharmacology of bevacizumab
Click here to do this Continuing Education activity. Or, if you prefer, you might like to take a look at our other CE activities here .
AusPharm gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the sponsors of our CE program, MIMS.
The competency standards addressed by this activity include (but may not be limited to) 3.1.2.; 3.1.3; 3.1.5; 3.2.2; 4.2.1; 4.2.2; 4.2.3, 7.3.2; 7.3.4.
Successfull completion of this activity is demonstrated by answering seven of the eight multiple choice questions correctly.
 This activity has been accredited by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia as a Group 2 activity for 0.75 point. Accreditation number: CX090048H.
Post a comment to AusPharmList.
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| | | AusPharmList posts  | | |
| | | | | | | Post of the Day : Budget changes to start 1 Dec 09 |  | | | | | | |
| | From: "Geoff Timbs" warnersbay@amcal.net.au The last Budget included 2 measures to start on 1/12/09. The first is a new therapeutic group for Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin and presumably Crestor will be dropping their price or wearing a large premium from Dec 1st....don't do a bulk buy.
The second is to extend reference pricing to "all non-exempt items in a therapeutic group" to remove anomalies and save $61 million. Does anyone have any idea what this means...MA tells me to ask the Dept, the Dept says it is on their website but can't tell me where and the Guild is waiting for more info. This should be something we receive adequate notice to minimise windfall losses on stock on hand.
Geoff Timbs B.Pharm
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| | | | | | | Todays AusPharmList posts: | | | | | | | | - (To read AusPharmList posts in the (e)news you must be a "premium" level member. "Basic" level members can read them at the AusPharmList website.)
- Budget changes to start 1 Dec 09....... Geoff Timbs 31/10/2009
- Indications for meds example....... Michael Post 30/10/2009
- NPS stroke prevention program....... David Haworth 30/10/2009
- Re: Demazin for young children S4....... amanda cronin 30/10/2009
- Re: Cough and cold preps for under sixes to go....... Peter Evans 30/10/2009
- Re: New packaging of Endone - congratulations and thank you to Sigma....... Peter Bayly 30/10/2009
- Re: Cough and cold preps for under sixes to go....... Greg Stark 30/10/2009
- Re: Cough and cold preps for under sixes to go....... amanda cronin 30/10/2009
- Re: New packaging of Endone - congratulations and thank you to Sigma....... Ritche Andit 30/10/2009
- Re: Catholic chemist wont sell the pill - Ethics and Standards ....... Peter Bayly 30/10/2009
- Re: PROJECT STOP AND RXS FOR SUDAFED....... Michael Jensen 30/10/2009
- Re: PROJECT STOP AND RXS FOR SUDAFED....... Francis Ip 30/10/2009
- Re: PROJECT STOP AND RXS FOR SUDAFED....... Peter Evans 30/10/2009
- Re: PROJECT STOP AND RXS FOR SUDAFED....... 30/10/2009
- Re: Cough and cold preps for under sixes to go....... Stuart Baker 30/10/2009
- Re: Cough and cold preps for under sixes to go....... Peter Evans 30/10/2009
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| | | In the news | | | | | | | | - (To use AusPharm enews links you must be a "premium" level member.)
- Nitschke to promote illegal pill -- ABC news 31/10/2009 More >
- Cyber aid to quitting smoking -- The Australian 30/10/2009 More >
- Chemical scare at Manly Vale pharmacy -- Manly Daily 30/10/2009 More >
- Drug-making chemical buried in desert -- news.com.au 29/10/2009 More >
- Firms accept Ecuador plan to break pharma patents -- The Age 29/10/2009 More >
- How much a human life? -- Adelaise Advertiser 29/10/2009 More >
- Ascent shares soar on Pfizer deal -- Sydney Morning Herald 29/10/2009 More >
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| | | The last word | | | | | | | | - (To use "The last word" links you must be a "premium" level member.)
- What Risks Are Associated With High-Dose Rosuvastatin? -- Medscape 31/10/2009 More >
- Topical Antibiotic Treatment for Uncomplicated Skin Infections: Review of the Literature -- Medscape 31/10/2009 More >
- Being boss takes its toll on health -- ABC Science 31/10/2009 More >
- Use it or lose your retirement dreams -- ABC Health and Wellbeing 31/10/2009 More >
- No Increased Cancer Risk with Anti-TNF Therapy in RA -- medpage TODAY 31/10/2009 More >
- Hormone Effective for Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis -- medpage TODAY 31/10/2009 More >
- Women Have Special Concerns with Prescription Medications -- Newswise 31/10/2009 More >
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drug May Prevent Progression of Parkinson’s Disease -- Newswise 31/10/2009 More >
- Grey's Anatomy Star Chandra Wilson Joins Leading OTC Medicine Makers to Educate Parents on the Safe Use of Children's Cough and Cold Medicines -- Newswise 30/10/2009 More >
- Regeneration Can be Achieved after Chronic Spinal Cord Injury -- Newswise 30/10/2009 More >
- Diabetes Prevention Interventions Have Long-Lasting Effects -- Physician's First Watch 30/10/2009 More >
- Sodium Oxybate Reduces Fibromyalgia Pain and Fatigue -- Medscape 29/10/2009 More >
- Rape drug in drinks 'a myth' -- NHS Choices (UK) 29/10/2009 More >
- High Blood Pressure Medicines Show Promise for Treating Heart Disease -- Newswise 29/10/2009 More >
- Atypical Antipsychotics Associated with Weight Gain and Other Adverse Metabolic Effects in Kids -- Physician's First Watch 29/10/2009 More >
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| | | About AusPharm(e)news | | | | | | | | | | AusPharm(e)news is a daily ezine published by AusPharm.net.au P/L incorporating:
- posts to the AusPharmList discussion forum
- industry news
- links to pharmacy relevant pieces in the mainstream media
- AusPharm Practice pearls
- AusPharm feature articles
AusPharm(e)news is published each week day and is emailed to subscribers each morning, usually between 7AM and 8AM.
AusPharm.net.au P/L is a company owned by Tasmanian pharmacists Mark Dunn and Tony Wiss.
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How to post to AusPharmList
Posting a new thread.
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There are however some issues that we know about for some people.
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There seem to be a few issues that are unique to particular workplaces (and specific mail servers), with a couple of organisations reporting that members are not receiving the (e)news at all. One organisation is receiving it but their members' email application (Outlook) refuses to recognise the incoming (e)news as a web page, rendering it unreadable.
Different email clients seem to handle the enews in different ways. Some people receive it as a "inline" formatted email (ie it appears in the body of the email) while for others it appears as an attachment that must be clicked on to open. It may be possible to change this by changing the settings within the individual email application in question.
It is also clear that people are having issues that appear to be unique to them and we would be pleased to work with these people individually to resolve their problems. After reviewing the information above, and seeking assistance locally where available, please send a detailed description of your issue by email to mark@auspharm.net.au and we will see if we can help.
Each day AusPharm(e)news comes with a text only link to the online version. If all else fails, people having difficulty reading the (e)news should be able to read it without difficulty at the online location. There is a link to each day's online (e)news from the main AusPharm web page @ www.auspharm.net.au
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