The feature articles below are "opinion" pieces and reflect the views of the individual authors. They are not the views of AusPharm.net.au P/L, its directors or editorial group unless explicitly stated to be so.

Heads up on lice treatment :: John Bell : 19/3/2012 : This time of year is always a challenging period for parents of school-aged children because it’s about this time that school-age children will be meeting old friends and making some new friends too. Almost certainly in the mix of new acquaintances – the uninvited ones - will be head lice, with data indicating that more than 20% of primary school students are likely to have head lice.

But the reality is anyone with a head can catch head lice – regardless of age, sex, background or how clean your hair is. Head lice spread anywhere that people work, play and live together. Indeed, it takes only one infested head to infest a whole classroom full of heads; then our children so unselfishly pass the infestation on to the rest of the family.   More...

Fourth New Small Business Minister Could Be Breath of Fresh Air :: Stephen G. Greenwood : 13/3/2012 : The 1 April date of reckoning is fast approaching for Pharmacy where the Government is going to reap a bonanza in savings of at least $1.9 billion at the expense of Australia’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and the country’s pharmacists. Wholesalers will lose $320 million and pharmacists’ trade discounts and rebates will be slashed accordingly.

It is in this climate that pharmacy small businesses are operating and to say that times are going to be tough in 2012 is an understatement. It may well be the case that pharmacists have been protected by Guild Government Agreements since 1990 and in the last decade by ongoing generous generic discounts.   More...

That which motivates us :: Justin Lee : 6/3/2012 : An almost universal point of contention in enterprise bargaining between unions and governments is annual wage increases; not whether or not these wage increases should occur, but the extent of the increase. Employees covered by these enterprise agreements often consider annual wage increases an inherent right, so much so that any attempt to decrease the percentage of annual wage increases is vehemently opposed through industrial action.

Much has been said about a decline in employee community pharmacist wages in the year just gone. This would not be as big an issue if there was some level of assurance that loyalty would be rewarded with wage increases not dissimilar to those enjoyed by public servants. Yet, complaints of low wages coupled with wage stagnation have served to disillusion many young pharmacists – all of whom have to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.   More...

The Teddy Bear Massacre :: Irwin the evil chemist : 4/3/2012 :  After taking leave of absence from his writing duties to regain his sanity Irwin’s back . . .

" Part of the rigmarole of retail community (whatever) pharmacy is the refreshing of the shop appearance so as not to appear old, tired, or unkempt.

Simple measures such as removing old notices for holidays and events-past – simultaneously evicting spiders and blowflies alike – can make a world of difference in the public’s perception."   More...

Your worst mistake :: PDL CEO Marie Ritchie : 1/3/2012 : PDL (Pharmaceutical Defence Limited) arranges professional indemnity insurance cover for pharmacists.  In regard to the posts ‘Your Worst Mistake’ and the case studies mentioned, we would like to remind pharmacists of the value to them of PDL.

PDL understands completely that pharmacists are first and foremost human beings.  As such mistakes will occur, no matter how diligent and thorough, conscientious and efficient, knowledgeable and helpful a pharmacist is.   More...

The CGP Credential – working for patients and pharmacists in Australia :: Chris Alderman : 29/2/2012 : There are now a significant number of Australian pharmacists who have achieved CGP status - CGPs can be found in every state of Australia, and these pharmacists work in a variety of fulfilling patient-centred roles.

The CGP credential is increasingly recognized in Australian hospitals as a benchmark that identifies pharmacists with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in pharmacy care for the elderly, and there is an increasing trend for departmental directors to acknowledge the advanced standing of CGPs when hiring or in the construction of career paths.   More...

Residential aged care opportunities :: PSA National President Grant Kardachi : 28/2/2012 : Residential aged care facilities are major users of pharmacy services but to date there has been little debate as to how pharmacists can be more effectively included in the collaborative health care team caring for the populations in these facilities.

Although pharmacists are currently funded for RMMR and QUM activities in residential care facilities, there are many other areas that occur on a daily basis – including crushing of medicines advice, clarifying drug chart queries, drug information and adverse effects of medicines - which for best outcomes require pharmacist input, thus providing a new stream of operation for pharmacists while improving the heath outcomes of older Australians.   More...

An experience shared may be a lesson learned :: Roy Stevenson : 23/2/2012 : I have had a second infarct 6 years after the first.  ‘Listers may appreciate my story.
 
Going to the end of the story first, I have just been told by the specialist cardiologist,  that what happened to me was an SVT  (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia)  which behaves like a heart attack – acute chest pain + angina + radiating pain down the left arm with a heart rate >185bpm, which was quite alarming!
He showed me a procedure to stop it, provided that the patient does it soon after onset.  So when I go to My Locum Pharmacies I now bring an extra chat session which I will be able to give to selected Nitrolingual Spray and Anginine patients.     More...

Mens sana: What is psychosis? :: Chris Alderman : 21/2/2012 : Have you ever wondered exactly what the word 'psychosis' actually means?

Today's AusPharm features a first rate explanation from Dr Chris Alderman.

"Psychosis is a symptom, not a disease. The term is used to describe a state of psychological and/or behavioural disorder that is characterised by the presence of one or more distinctive syndromes that cause a significant derangement of the capacity of the affected individual to be able to perceive and interpret their surroundings and existence."

    More...

Real World Shows Gillard’s No Iron Lady :: Stephen G. Greenwood : 14/2/2012 : At the beginning of April Australian pharmacy will face its toughest test in a decade when the Government introduces the massive price reductions that were negotiated with Medicines Australia under the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government – a MOU supported by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

The Guild says it has “allocated considerable resources to provide advice, support and advice to membership preparing for the changes” given that the expanded price disclosure regime will apply to all drugs listed on the PBS that have more than one manufacturer.   More...

Playing it safe with complementary medicines :: John Bell : 9/2/2012 : The enviable reputation of community pharmacy is based on trust. Trust that pharmacists and pharmacy staff will provide advice and, when necessary, recommend products which are evidence-based and appropriate for individual customers.

Scheduled products, whether they be prescription medicines or pharmacy-only or pharmacist-only medicines, are required to be evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for quality, safety and efficacy. Indeed, any product which claims to be a cure or to be able to manage, treat or prevent a disease must also undergo similar evaluation. Generally we can be confident that such medicines will do what they’re meant to do.   More...

The harsh reality of economic pressures :: Justin Lee : 7/2/2012 : Reading the finance section of most major newspapers, one could be forgiven for thinking that we are living in times of extreme economic distress. Occupy Wall Street protests, the European economic crisis, stock market crashes and rising fuel prices all point towards a turbulent economic period irrespective of the stage people are at in their lives – whether looking for employment in a highly competitive job market, struggling to meet rising costs to support a family or looking to retire on unsustainable superannuation savings.

Pharmacies are not immune to these economic pressures. With ongoing mandatory price reductions as the single most obvious example, pharmacies are facing the full brunt of government fiscal policy intent on securing cost savings   More...

The safe and effective use of medicines :: PSA National President Grant Kardachi : 30/1/2012 : The rate of medicines’ use by those aged 50 and over has been put into the spotlight by a survey conducted by the NPS and the University of Melbourne which clearly shows that as the population ages, and the rate of medicines’ consumption increases, the need for pharmacist advice, counselling becomes and involvement in medicines management all the more important.

The NPS survey of Australians aged 50 and over found 87% of Australians in the age group used at least one medicine; the use of multiple medicines was common with one third of 50-64 year olds, almost half of 65-74 year olds, and two thirds of people aged 75 and over taking five or more medicines on the day the survey was taken; and 90.3% women were medicine users compared with 83.9% of men.   More...

Explainer: do we need to follow medication use-by dates? :: Lisa Nissen - Associate Professor of Pharmacy at University of Queensland : 17/1/2012 : Today's feature was originally published a fortnight ago on the Conversation.

It's written with consumers in mind we're sure 'listers will be interested too.

"It’s late in the night. And after a long day at work, you have a splitting headache. You rattle around in the bottom drawer of the bathroom vanity to find a packet of paracetamol tablets you know are hiding there.

Phew, relief is at hand! Then you turn the packet over and discover that the crumpled box of pills actually expired two years ago."   More...

The power of one (2004) :: Bill Suen : 12/1/2012 : I am advocating for a single pharmacy peak body in Australia, a peak body that not only allows pooling of all existing resources towards achieving our common goals, but also fosters skill sharing and understanding among various sectors within the profession.

Hopefully we can focus on advancing our professional practice and securing the role of pharmacists in the healthcare system, rather than worrying about not to step on each other's toes, or arguing who has the right to represent the profession, competing for members, or conducting 'me-too' conferences and activities to prove that we need all these different organisations.   More...

Mangled Language :: Ron Batagol : 30/12/2011 : Perhaps a few days late but as we begin a New Year, I wonder if we couldn’t all make a resolution to make some sort of effort to reclaim the English language and return to plain English expression whenever possible!  Yes, I do understand that we must use an infinite variety of jargon to convey technical or complicated concepts and ideas, and this is nowhere more self-evident than in discussing the complexities of community and public health issues, therapeutics etc . 

However, it seems to me that meaningless and nonsensical throwaway lines are becoming ubiquitous, and replacing meaningful expressions in almost every aspect of human endeavour, with those in politics, business and the sporting environment, being the worst serial offenders.   More...

Mens sana: Hyponatraemia with psychotropic drugs :: Chris Alderman : 22/12/2011 : Many of the psychotropic drugs are associated with the development a low serum sodium concentration, otherwise known as hyponatraemia. Various mechanisms may contribute, hyponatraemia secondary to psychogenic polydipsia needs to be considered for patients who develop abnormal thirst symptoms and/or markedly increased fluid intake.

Hyponatraemia may also be associated with chronic alcohol misuse, a comorbidity commonly encountered amongst those with serious mental illness. Having said this, the most common underlying cause for clinically significant hyponatraemia amongst patients treated with psychotropic drugs is the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).   More...

What's 2012 Hold for Pharmacy :: Stephen G. Greenwood : 20/12/2011 : For the Prime Minister her year of decision and delivery is almost over. It’s been an amazingly underwhelming year for Labor where the uncertainty of running a minority Government was compounded by gross incompetence in implementing almost every policy the Government embraced.  And what better way to end the year by confounding everyone and reshuffling the Ministry and making all things new again while ensuring that all outstanding Ministerial decisions just disappear.  But one thing is sure in the uncertain world of future health funding – the Guild Government Agreement.

Pharmacists should get down on their hands and knees and thank the Guild for delivering the Fifth Agreement because that seems to be one of the few certainties that Pharmacy can rely on in the year ahead. That said there are clouds on the horizon for all to see.   More...

Access to rural programs :: PSA National President Grant Kardachi : 12/12/2011 : PSA Members are rightly confused by the recent decision to reduce eligibility to rural pharmacy programs funded under the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

The new eligibility rules are based on the Pharmacy Access/Remoteness Index of Australia (PhARIA) under which rural and regional areas are given a rating according to their residents’ perceived access to community pharmacy services. Under the system, PhARIA 1 locations are seen to have high levels of access to community pharmacy community pharmacy services, with access decreasing from PhARIA2 to PhARIA 6.    More...

The Pharmacy Guild and the straw man argument :: Geoff March, President, Pharmacists Division of APESMA : 7/12/2011 : Today's AusPharm feature is an op ed from Pharmacists' Division of APESMA President Geoff March.

"From the owners' guild’s bunker, we have seen the usual response to any potential threat - whether real or imaginary - to the Guild’s representation as “the national peak body representing community pharmacy”. It must have been unimaginable to them that the majority of pharmacy organisations would actually get together and call for a new future for the pharmacy profession and for patients.

The owners’ guild has reacted as it always has – bully the organisation calling for change.  In this case it has been the Pharmacy Coalition for Health Reform that has been subjected to the Guild's ire."   More...

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