Guild concerned too : 10/06/2010 :

The Pharmacy Guild said yesterday that it too had concerns about the new dispensing guidelines, including the proposed pharmacist / tech ratio.

In a communication to members yesterday afternoon it said the timeline for consultation and implementation of the proposed guidelines was too short and flagged its intention to call for their implementation to be deferred pending further consultation.

The Guild says it will outline its concerns in detail to the Board in a written response to the proposed guidelines.

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Flu vaccines won't give you flu : 10/06/2010 :

Fluarix flu vaccine manufacturer GSK will today release the results of a GSK Health Index survey which found that nearly one in five Australians will not get the flu shot this year, because they incorrectly believe it will give them the flu.

The survey polled 1006 Australians, investigating their attitudes and behaviours regarding flu and found Australians are not only skipping the shot because they incorrectly think they can get the flu from it, but 40% don’t see it as a priority, and 38% don’t believe in the flu shot.

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Nurofen OK says Reckitt Benckiser : 10/06/2010 :

In response to research released yesterday that suggests diclofenac carries the same cardiovascular risks as rofecoixib (Vioxx) the manufacturer of Nurofen, Reckitt Benckiser, put out a statement (at 1.30AM this morning) pointing out that the authors of the study concluded that they only found a “small trend” for increase in cardiovascular risk associated with ibuprofen therapy at higher doses.

According to Reckitt Benckiser, it takes the safety of medicines very seriously and "reassures Australian consumers that ibuprofen, when taken according to the directions on the pack, is an appropriate short-term treatment for pain relief for the majority of people".

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Review of PSA Code of Professional Conduct : 09/06/2010 :

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has commenced a review of its Code of Professional Conduct. 

A Code Review Working Group, chaired by Dr Shane Jackson, and a panel of expert advisors have been established who will initially assess gaps in the current code arising, for example, from changes in legislation, changes to the health-care landscape, or the evolution of professional pharmacy practice.

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PSA opens CPD recording to non members : 09/06/2010 :

From July 1, National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) comes into effect which will have a marked impact on the way pharmacists are required to record their continuing professional development activities.

Under the NRAS, all registered pharmacists (except those registered in a non-practising category) will be required to complete continuing professional development (CPD) which is relevant to their scope of practice. 

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PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 09/06/2010 :

AFL Round 11 marks the halfway stage and was a good round with 6 tippers selecting the 8 winners. Peter Trembath from Waterfall Gully Pharmacy was closest to the margin and is this week’s winner, congratulation Peter! In second place was Emi Hewitt of Kings Langley Pharmacy with Kwing Wong from Medicross in 3rd spot.

NRL Round 13 saw just the one tipper select all 8 winners correctly. Noella Korneha from Medicare Australia had the perfect round and takes out the weekly prize, well done Noella! In 2nd place was John Bassett from Auscare Pharmacy with Michael Inglis of Malouf Group taking 3rd spot.

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Poll: my experience with ocular chloramphenicol so far : 09/06/2010 :

Ocular chloramphenicol has now been S3 (pharmacist only) for almost 6 weeks.

Many 'listers have taken the opportunity to do AusPharm's CE activity on Conjunctivitis to familiarise themselves with the relevant treatment issues and, presumably, many have also has a look at PSA's protocol for supply of these products.

What's been your experience with these products to date? Are you confident in your approach to supply? Please let us know by voting in this week's AusPharm poll.

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Australian statins too expensive? : 08/06/2010 :

The authors of a study published in the current issuse of the Medical Journal of Australia estimate that if PBS pricing policies on generic statins were closer to the English model, taxpayers would have saved almost $1 billion for the period January 2005 to October 2009.

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PAC10 looks at the imperative for change in pharmacy practice : 08/06/2010 :

Pharmacy practice must shift its primary mission from supplying medicines to helping people make the best use of medicines in order to meet the needs of the public and ensure its survival as a health profession.

This is the view of leading US pharmacy expert Professor William A. Zellmer who will present on the topic of The Imperative for Change in Pharmacy Practice at PAC10 in October this year.

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Rural pharmacists need support too : 08/06/2010 :

Following advice issued by the tax office last week that rural incentive payments to rural doctors will not, as first proposed, be subject to an up front 46.5% tax, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has declared that the decision should not be limited just to doctors.

Hinting that the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance should receive the same treatment, PSA President Warwick Plunkett said the decision was clear recognition of the importance of incentives in attracting health professionals to rural areas.

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Woolies lets pharmacy trademarks go : 08/06/2010 :

In a move finalised late last week Woolworths has let its registration of the trademarks Pharmacist at Woolworths and Pharmacist @ at Woolworths lapse.

Can it be that the company has given up hope of establishing in house pharmacies?

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RGH E-Bulletin: Duloxetine for diabetic neuropathy : 07/06/2010 :

The topic of this RGH E‑Bulletin is Duloxetine for diabetic neuropathy.

"Duloxetine is a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor used for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Other approved indications include the management of urinary stress incontinence and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Up to 40% of people with diabetes develop neuropathy, which is often associated with burning, stabbing or tingling pain or numbness and can have a significant impact on quality of life."

Click here to read the bulletin in full. The E‑Bulletins are archived on the AusPharmList website here.

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National Asthma Council needs a hand with new Handbook : 07/06/2010 :

The National Asthma Council is preparing to develop the 7th edition of the Asthma Management Handbook and it is seeking input from GPs, pharmacists, practice nurses and asthma educators to help guide the format and content of the new edition.

The Handbook contains the national evidence-based best-practice guidelines on asthma management and aims to be a user-friendly, practical guide to clinical practice for GPs and other primary care health professionals.

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Kung Flu Fighters: pharmacies get pandemic prepared : 07/06/2010 :

This month, community pharmacies in Australia are being armed with a range of resources as part of a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Program, also known as the Kung Flu Fighter campaign.

Pharmacies should keep an eye out for a striking red box featuring the Kung Flu Fighter logo. Inside this resource kit is a range of useful materials highlighting the importance of good infection control and preparing your pharmacy business for an influenza pandemic, as well as information on how to access additional resources through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Program.

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New support booklet for your people with arthritis : 07/06/2010 :

Stepping Out, a new booklet written by young people with arthritis for young people with arthritis has been published by Arthritis Australia. 

The booklet has sections on Friends, families and partners – why it is important to share your feelings with these people, intimate relationships, Where to seek help if you are experiencing feelings such as loneliness, isolation, depression and anxiety,  your rights as a student and in the workplace, tips for air, train and bus travel and tips on navigating the internet.

Stepping Out is online here or is available free of charge by calling 1800 011 041

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SHPA CPD PBA compliant : 07/06/2010 :

SHPA's CPD offer has been updated to meet Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) requirements for registration renewal under the new scheme commencing 1 July 2010. 

According to SHPA President Neil Keen, “All members can meet these requirements seamlessly by using SHPA products that are part of their core membership and via the new CPD online recording system that guides them to record key learnings and to reflect on the value to their day to day work.  Members can print CPD summaries that include all activities and PBA CPD credits as either Group 1, 2 or 3 activities. Extra personal support is available via the email helpline and website materials that include frequently asked questions.  SHPA encourages lifelong learning and values CPD activities undertaken in the workplace.”

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FIFA World Cup 2010 : 07/06/2010 :

The FIFA World Cup is getting underway in South Africa so a link has been added to the AusPharmacist.net.au website. The link is located in the 'Sports' section, i.e. lower RH corner of the page.

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Penny Kraemer, Peter Tenni share AACP Pfizer Consultant Pharmacist of the Year award. Debbie Rigby new AACP Chair : 04/06/2010 :

At last weekend's ConPharm 2010, held in Hobart, Sydney pharmacist Penny Kraemer and Tasmanian pharmacist Peter Tenni were jointly named as the 2010 AACP Pfizer Consultant Pharmacists of the Year.

Also at ConPharm Debbie Rigby was confirmed as the next Chair of the AACP Board of Directors.

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June edition of Australian Prescriber out now : 04/06/2010 :

The latest edition of Australian Prescriber is out now and looks at topical issues including:

Variability in response to clopidogrel

Andrew McLachlan, Professor of Pharmacy (Aged Care) at the University of Sydney, and Terence Campbell, Head of the University Department of Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, look at possible factors contributing to variability in patients' responses to clopidogrel. The authors give suggestions for overcoming so-called 'clopidogrel resistance'.

Also featured inb the June issue are artilces on:

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1/5 of Australia prisoners have been on an opioid replacement program : 04/06/2010 :

The Australian Institue of Health and Welfare yesterday published The health of Australia's prisoners 2009. The report is the culmination of several years' development of national indicators in relation to prisoner health in Australia

It reveals that, on a snapshot day during 2008, 7% of the 41,347 people across Australia receiving pharmacotherapy treatment for opioid addiction, were in prison. Almost one-fifth (19%) of prisoners reported that they had been on a pharmacotherapy program at some time in their life. 

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