Swine flu: how is it where you are? : 05/08/2009 :

AusPharm works in a few pharmacies in southern Tasmania and, in the last week or so, there has been a marked increase in the number of (swine) influenza cases we're seeing. People in some locations are unable to get doctor's appointments within a fortnight.

What's the level of activity like in your area? Please let us know by ticking the appropriate box in this week's poll below.

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Watch Kos Sclavos at the National Press Club : 05/08/2009 :

Kos Sclavos' recent speech to the National Press Club can now be viewed on the Guild website, in two parts, here and here. (Caution: these are 250+ mb wmv files).

According to the Guild the speech was well received and provoked considerable comment in industry and government circles.

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PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 05/08/2009 :

AFL Round 18 was a better one for tippers with 34 selecting all the 8 winners. Robyn Saunders from MediCom Medication Management Services predicted the margin perfectly and takes home the weekly $50 prize, congratulations Robyn.

In 2nd place just 1 margin point behind was Gillian Brzoska of Point Lonsdale Pharmacy with Jonathan Andrews from Figtree Plaza Chemist in 3rd position.

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It's Continence Awareness Week : 04/08/2009 :

Three-quarters of Australian women have literally laughed until they have wet themselves, a new survey has found.

The research, commissioned by the Continence Foundation of Australia, ahead of Continence Awareness Week (2-8 August 2009), found that 75 per cent of women have wet themselves while laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercising.

But, according to the Continence Foundation of Australia, the findings are no laughing matter – as this common condition is known as stress incontinence, which can be prevented, treated, managed and in many cases cured.

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Guild and Gold Cross endorse PCCA : 04/08/2009 :

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Gold Cross have announced an endorsement of Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia (PCCA).

Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia (PCCA) supports pharmacists in maintaining and enhancing their professional skills in making up preparations tailored to individuals’ needs.

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Leading Australian health expert to speak at PAC : 04/08/2009 :

One of Australia’s leading experts on the health-care system in this country will present what promises to be a thought-provoking session at the Pharmacy Australia Congress in Sydney. John Menadue AO, currently a Board Director of the influential Centre for Policy Development, will address PAC delegates on the subject of “An Extended Role For Pharmacists In Prevention And Healthcare”.

This year’s PAC, to be held at the Sydney Hilton from 15-18 October, will focus on the theme of Securing Your Practice Advantage and Mr Menadue’s topic is especially timely given the range of studies and reports being undertaken and presented with a view to improving the health-care system in Australia. Full details of PAC can be found at www.pac2009.com.au

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August ADRAC Bulletin now available : 04/08/2009 :

The August ADRAC Bulletin is now available on the ADRAC website.

• Drugs of current interest
• Serotonin syndrome with duloxetine
• Fixed drug eruptions
• Is it leflunomide lung?
• Isotretinoin and acquired hearing impairment
• What to report

Download a printable (pdf) version of the August Bulletin here.

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Lipitor Mirixa adherence program now live : 04/08/2009 :

Mirixa Australia now offers a compliance program for Lipitor in addition that launched for Seretide in July.

The Lipitor Cholesterol Coach Program will allow pharmacists to identify and deliver point-of-dispensing, medication-related care to patients taking Lipitor who have a MedsIndex score of 60 or below.

Compliance programs for simvastatin and pravastatin will be launched shortly with more molecules set to join them later in August.

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August NPS RADAR now out: rivaroxaban reviewed : 03/08/2009 :

The August edition of NPS RADAR is now available on the NPS website, here.

Health professionals caring for patients who have had total hip or knee replacement surgery can access an independent review of the oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban (Xarelto) in the August issue of NPS RADAR.

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Sydney University to defend National Student Business Plan title : 03/08/2009 :

Pharmacy students from Sydney University will defend their entrepreneurial honour in the final of the National Student Business Plan Competition at the Pharmacy Women's Congress on the Gold Coast later this month.

The students from Sydney will join those from Curtin University in WA and James Cook University in Queensland to see which new pharmacy model will claim the prize.

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Flu vaccination and pharmacy - has the time come? : 31/07/2009 :

In a recent post to AusPharmList former Guild CEO Stephen Greenwood commented that the only way that pharmacists would ever regain the vaccine market is if they can collectively argue that they are competent to provide and administer vaccines in the pharmacy.

He noted that "the policy that operates now is just a waste of doctors time and expertise .... pharmacy is the obvious place for the prescribing, supply, and administration of vaccines in an environment where the cold chain is secure."

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Poll result: $38/hr for an average pharmacist is.... : 31/07/2009 :

This week's poll asked 'listers for their opinion on what an appropriate level of pay is for our average pharmacist (defined here). This was in the context of our poll a fortnight ago that determined that the average rate was about $38/hr (casual rate, excluding super.)

of pharmacists think $38/hr too low. Click for details.

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5th Community Pharmacy Agreement negotiations underway : 31/07/2009 :

The Pharmacy Guild announced yesterday that negotiations for CPA5 were now formally underway.

Guild President Kos Sclavos told Guild members that, because of the confidential nature of the negotiations, no information on their progress would be able to be made public until negotiations had concluded.

Post a comment to AusPharmList.

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NPS wins Multicultural Communication Award : 31/07/2009 :

The National Prescribing Service (NPS), Federation of Ethnic Communities Council Australia (FECCA) and Co.As.It (Victoria) have been presented with a Multicultural Communication Award for the 2009 Italian Get to know your medicines calendar.

The awards, hosted by NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, recognise area health and non-government organisations which produce multilingual health resources.

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Guild President sells the pharmacy case in National Press Club speech : 30/07/2009 :

Guild President Kos Sclavos used his address to the National Press Club yesterday to highlight the existing benefits community pharmacy delivers to the health system and to flag additional benefits an expanded role for community pharmacists could bring.

He highlighted the $7 billion worth of savings to government the PBS Reforms would deliver to 2015 and noted that, in all of the recent health system reviews, there had been no criticism either of the community pharmacy network of 5,000 community pharmacies or of the PBS itself.

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AACP names new CEO : 30/07/2009 :

PSA’s Director of Professional Services, Grant Martin, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP).

Mr Martin will replace Bill Kelly, who is leaving the Association at the end of August after six years in the position.

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NPS issues warning on recreational use of pharmaceuticals : 30/07/2009 :

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) has issued a consumer alert warning people that they are playing Russian roulette with their health when they take medicines inappropriately.

Media reports this week about people mixing sleeping tablet, zolpidem (Stilnox), with energy drink Red Bull™ have failed to highlight the risks people are taking when they intentionally misuse pharmaceuticals, says NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes

“Health professionals should also be aware of patients who may ask specifically for Stilnox following these latest media reports and ensure patients understand the purpose for which the medicine has been prescribed,” Dr Weekes warned.

PAC: Call for Posters : 29/07/2009 :

This year’s PAC will focus on the theme of Securing Your Practice Advantage and PAC organisers are inviting submissions for the Poster Displays at this year’s Congress to be held at the Sydney Hilton 15 - 18 October 2009.

Poster sessions provide the opportunity for attendees and members of the Society to present an aspect of their research and/or practice improvement to their pharmacy colleagues.
 
The closing date for submissions is August 15. Full details are available at the PAC website here.

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Guild President returns to the National Press Club today : 29/07/2009 :

Guild President Kos Sclavos will today address the National Press Club on Government Healthcare Reforms – solutions through Community Pharmacy.

Tune in to ABC1 at 12.30PM.

Poll: what's a pharmacist worth? : 29/07/2009 :

Our poll a fortnight ago determined that the average remuneration for our 'average' employee pharmacist (definition here) is about $38/hr (casual rate, excluding super). 

There has been quite a bit of discussion on AusPharmList in the last week or two on what an appropriate level of pay is.

Is $38/hr about what it should be? Please let us know what you think by voting in today's poll below.

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