PSA: still time to register for offshore conference : 10/03/2010 :

There is still time to register for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s 2010 Annual Offshore Conference being held in Beijing and Shanghai from 28 April to 7 May 2010.

Conference Chairman Warwick Plunkett said the venue for the 2010 conference is particularly exciting and the conference will feature a diverse range of expert speakers.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Battle for OTC analgesic market share continues : 10/03/2010 :

The Gut Foundation yesterday released the results of a new survey which, according to the Foundation, shows that most people taking OTC NSAIDS are unaware of the risks of long term use (GIT, cardiac, renal).The study was funded by funded by GSK - the makers of Panadol.

Other survey findings were that 15% of OTC NSAID users were taking the drugs despite having a potentially conflicting medical condition or were taking potentially interacting drugs.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Clinical weekend in Lorne : 09/03/2010 :

A clinical weekend on the subject of Reproductive Health: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly will be held at Lorne, Victoria, on March 20-21.

The extensive program for the clinical weekend will include evidence-based information on broader issues of sexual and reproductive health including:

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

CMI pilot for Canberra : 'Just ask' : 09/03/2010 :

Consumers in Canberra are about to be reminded of the importance of being fully informed about medicines, and taking the right medicine at the right time.

A two-week intensive campaign commencing on Sunday 14 March will tell Canberrans about the availability of CMIs – from pharmacists or online - whenever they purchase a prescription medicine.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

RGH E-Bulletin: Once monthly bisphosphonate therapy : 08/03/2010 :

The topic of this RGH E‑Bulletin is Once monthly bisphosphonate therapy.

"Oral bisphosphonates are well established as a first-line option for the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption, increase bone mineral density (BMD) and decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures. For alendronate and risedronate, weekly administration is as effective as once daily dosing. More recently, a presentation of risedronate has become available in a format that allows treatment to be administered once a month, and it is expected that this will further improve ease of administration and patient compliance."

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

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Webstercare Newsletter : 08/03/2010 :

Every second month our friends at Webstercare produce a newsletter that is distributed to all aged care homes throughout Australia.

The February edition contains:

• Australian Designed and developed Webster-pak® in USA Breakthrough: A University of Michigan study proving the benefits of Webster-pak  boosts Webster-pak in the U.S
• Asthma & GORD: February’s Continuing Education series explores these conditions and how to manage them
• MedSig®: Learn about Webstercare’s new electronic signing for nurses
• Concertina Technology: Blisters utilising concertina technology make the administration of medications effortless.

Click here to download the Webstercare February 2010 newsletter in full (550kb pdf). Click here if you have any feedback, suggestions or queries about the newsletter.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

From none to 70 Mirixa cases in 4 weeks : 08/03/2010 :

A Gold Coast pharmacy that recently implemented Mirixa Australia programs has gone from none to 70 enrolled cases in just 4 weeks.

Like many other pharmacies, Terry White Chemists Runaway Bay signed up to Mirixa Australia last year but until recently was still to get the patient enrolment process underway. After the rapid growth in enrolments recently, staff at the pharmacy say they are now enthusiastic supporters of the program and getting great job satisfaction because they are now “doing more for their patients”.  

Pharmacist Manager Emma Alder says “It’s a great feeling. Talking with patients about their medicines is what we must be doing as pharmacists.  Mirixa enrolment is a great reason to go out and speak with patients and often it leads to discussions about other ways we can help them”.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Sigma on the nose with pharmacists? : 08/03/2010 :

'Listers will have seen news reports about Sigma delaying the release of its preliminary final results for the year ending January 31, 2010 (eg here or here). At the company's request its shares were suspended from trading on February 25, pending the issue of 'revised earnings guidance for the year ended January 31, 2010'.

There has been much mainstream media speculation as to exactly what is going on at Sigma, with a number of reports suggesting that issues have arisen around Sigma's alleged trading terms with the My Chemist / Chemist Warehouse group, said to involve 6 months forward charging as well as significant discounts (cost + 0.5%?).

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

“Close the Gap” with Adherence Support Workers : 08/03/2010 :

The use of support workers to enhance the understanding Aboriginal people have of medicines and where they fit into treatment regimes has been advocated by a Northern Territory pharmacist.

In a 4CPA funded project, Rollo Manning, a pharmacist with 13 years experience in Aboriginal health has produced a discussion paper calling on Aboriginal people to “Take Medicines Seriously – it’s a prescription for life”.

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

NHMRC: All pregnant women should take an iodine supplement : 08/03/2010 :

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released a new recommendation that all women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or considering pregnancy take an iodine supplement of 150 micrograms each day.

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

SHPA urges whole of profession response to proposed reforms : 08/03/2010 :

According to the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia the challenge is now clearly before pharmacy as a profession to work together to ensure that the Rudd government's proposed health reforms support the ‘patient journey’. 

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Roxon confirmed for APP keynote speech : 08/03/2010 :

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has confirned that she will be delivering the Keynote Address at this week's APP conference on the Gold Coast. Ms Roxon will speak from 10AM on Friday March 12.

She will also be presenting Pharmacy of the Year Award for 2010.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

New treatment option for NIDDM : 08/03/2010 :

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has this month approved a new treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Galvus® (vildagliptin) is a a DPP-4 inhibitor, and is indicated for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 in patients 18 years and older.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

PSA repeats call for more funding for professional services : 05/03/2010 :

The Government’s new hospital funding package is a welcome first step in the health reform process, but will be better served when complemented through implementation of a preventive health strategy to help minimise hospitalisations, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says.

National President of the PSA, Warwick Plunkett, said yesterday that the Government’s announcement that it will take full policy and funding responsibility for GP and primary health-care services in Australia is promising but there should be a more integrated approach which is focussed on reducing the need for hospitalisations.

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Tassie swine flu vaccine trial extended : 05/03/2010 :

The first phase of a swine flu vaccination program trial conducted in Tasmania by PSA and the Tasmanian Health Department proved so popular with the community that Phase II of program will now be rolled out.

As reported earlier this week, during Phase I last month, more than 2500 patients were vaccinated at five pharmacies by nurse immunisers in just one week.

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Hip fractures decline : 05/03/2010 :

The incidence of hip fractures among older Australians declined consistently between 1997- 98 and 2006-07, according to a report to be released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) today.

The report The problem of osteoporotic hip fracture in Australia shows that over the ten year period, the incidence rate for osteoporotic hip fracture decreased by 14% for men and by 20% for women.

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Flu vaccine surplus? : 05/03/2010 :

This week's AusPharm poll asked 'listers whether they were likely to be caught with excess flu vaccine stock by the sudden and unexpected announcement mid February that flu vaccines have been taken off the PBS.

The answer seems to be, mostly, no - although a significant minority tell us that they will be caught 'big time', with too much stock pre-ordered.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Requests for gelatin capsules : 04/03/2010 :

When someone comes in looking for empty gelatine capsules they may not be into clandestine drugs......

They may just be wishing to make confectionery versions of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Click the image to see the full sized version.

(Thanks to Kevin de Vries for sending this along).

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Guild says health reforms an opportunity for pharmacy : 04/03/2010 :

The Pharmacy Guild said yesterday saying that it believes the Federal Government's proposal to take full policy and funding responsibility for hospital, GP and primary health care services in Australia presents a “once in a generation opportunity for community pharmacy”.

According to the Guild, the proposed changes will open the way for community pharmacy to negotiate funding for professional pharmacy programs to be delivered in both private and public hospital pharmacies.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Folic acid message still needs selling : 03/03/2010 :

50 years after folic acid was first thought to prevent birth defects, health experts are calling on young women to increase their folic acid intake well in advance of conception and throughout pregnancy to reduce the possibility of spina bifida developing in their children.

Every year, around 50 babies in Australia are born alive with spina bifida, which can cause severe lifelong disabilities, including lower limb paralysis and learning difficulties.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Click here to go to the old "Industry News" page (pre 01/09/2006).