NPS RADAR May update : 05/05/2009 :

NPS has published an interim update between its usual April and August RADAR bulletins.

The update reviews a new PBS listing for teriparatide and two other products which are available from 1 May 2009.

• Teriparatide (Forteo) for severe osteoporosis
• Hydromorphone prolonged-release tablets (once-daily) (Jurnista) for chronic severe disabling pain not responding to non-opioid analgesics
• Lanthanum (Fosrenol) tablets for adults with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis

Post a comment to AusPharmList.

PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 05/05/2009 :

A great week for 15 tipsters who scored 8 wins. Well done to all as there were a few games that could have gone either way.  Susan Beasley from McCarthy's Pharmacy, Orange, NSW is the round winner ($50) just 1 point off the margin in Pies V Roos game. Congratulations Susan.
Craig Keating, Keating’s Pharmacy and Paul Hayward were 2nd & 3rd.  Overall there have been a couple of changes at the top of the ladder.  Robert Wood from Myrtleford Community Pharmacy is our new leader, close up and separated only by game margin is Chris Warne from Beaconsfield Pharmacy.  In 3rd is Thuy Trinh from Priceline Pharmacy Forest Hill.  Good luck for round 6!

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

RGH E-Bulletin: Premarin® and Premia Continuous® : 04/05/2009 :

"As of 1st June 2009 Premarin® (conjugated oestrogens) and Premia Continuous® (conjugated oestrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate) will no longer be available for subsidised supply through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) in Australia; however, both will continue to be available as a private prescription. The table below outlines oral oestrogen preparations (oestrogen as a sole ingredient) that are currently available in Australia and their approximate daily doses."

Click here to read the bulletin in full.

The E-Bulletin is archived and previous editions can be viewed on the AusPharm website here.

H1N1 flu update : 04/05/2009 :

Those of you who haven't already found an appropriate information leaflet on H1N1 to give customers might like to have a look at this one.

Late last week the Pharmacy Guild provided members with the following advice on the availability of H1NI flu related products.

• Orders placed with wholesalers for Tamiflu or Relenza would be filled within 3 working days.
• Orders placed with wholesalers for 'Normal' flu vaccines would be filled within 2 working days.
• Orders placed with wholesalers for masks would be filled with 5 working days (note variability in mask type and availability)
• Gloves, alcohol based anti-bacterial gels/ liquids/ wipes are available from wholesalers now

Thanks to the Guild for allowing us to pass this information on to 'listers.

Person controlled electronic health record by 2012? : 04/05/2009 :

Late last week the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission released a report focussing on e-health and the introduction of a ‘person-controlled electronic health record’

The report recommends that by 2012 every Australian should have a personal electronic health record which that person will own and have full control over. The electronic health record could be shared with nominated health care providers.

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

Poll: swine flu awareness / activity : 01/05/2009 :

The week's poll asked 'listers to tell as about the level of awareness / anxiety about swine flu among customers / patients in their pharmacy (department).

Fairly high it seems. Also, in watching the votes (n=108) come in over the last 48 hours there was a trend towards higher levels more recently. Click the graph for full size.

YouTube: How to sneeze : 01/05/2009 :

Need a refresher on how to sneeze? Click and learn.

Pharma industry keeps hammering the 'PBS is sustainable' message : 01/05/2009 :

In a speech yesterday to the Future of the PBS conference in Sydney, Medicines Australia CEO Ian Chalmers once again put industry's claim that PBS expenditure growth is under control and that no further PBS cuts are needed.

“PBS growth of 1.8 per cent in real terms over the past three years compares very favourably with the 6.5 per cent annual growth over the last 50 years,” Mr Chalmers said.

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

API releases half year results : 01/05/2009 :

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (API), yesterday released its results for the 6 months to 28 February 2009.

The company reported that its net profit after tax was up 8.7% to $6.7 million on the back of a sales increase of 8.1% (to $1,734.7 million).

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

Complementary Medicine industry calls for more government suport : 01/05/2009 :

On the back of research (1) showing that 75% of respondents to a Roy Morgan survey had consumed a vitamin, mineral, herbal and/or nutritional supplement within the last 12 months The Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC) has called for government to explore new ways of better using and supporting supplements as part of Australian mainstream healthcare policy.

"With dire predictions about spiralling healthcare costs, the benefits to the health of individuals and the nation’s budget would be substantial," said CHC Executive Director, Dr Wendy Morrow.

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

SHPA calls for collaboration on future pharmacy vision : 01/05/2009 :

Evidence from studies in 2001, 2003 and 2005 that pharmacists in hospitals spend most of their time on clinical pharmacy services for individual patients has been confirmed by a recent study published in the March 2009 Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.

SHPA CEO Yvonne Allinson, co-author of the study said: “There has been much debate in the pharmacy media of late about changing practice and creating the future for pharmacy in Australia, and also leveraging the many opportunities emerging through government health reform activity. Many of the services that are provided to patients in hospitals are needed in the broader community and are applicable in multidisciplinary settings, such as GP Super Clinics.”

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

SHPA welcomes postponement of chemotherapy remuneration changes : 30/04/2009 :

Proposed changes to the remuneration arrangements for some chemotherapy drugs were this week put on hold for two months (until September 1) to allow government to work with key stakeholders on resolving outstanding issues. The plan was for pharmacies to be paid only for the drugs they dispensed and not for (often unavoidable) wastage.

SHPA yesterday welcomed the Australian Government announcement to delay implementation of the chemotherapy budget measure. In particular, SHPA welcomes the government statement that patient safety and access to chemotherapy medications will not be compromised by the measure.

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

Landmark Rural Pharmacy Research Project : 30/04/2009 :

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has commissioned Rural Health Education Development Consulting Pty Ltd to undertake a national rural research project focused on rural workforce issues specific to pharmacy. This research will track the rural pharmacy workforce and identify the role that rural programs have on the retention of the rural pharmacy workforce.  

The project aims to describe the role of the rural pharmacist, and reasons they may choose to stay or leave rural practice. It will also examine the feasibility of tracking the rural pharmacy workforce after graduation, and identify the impact existing rural incentive programs have on the retention of rural pharmacists.

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

UK pharmacists caught short on orlistat : 30/04/2009 :

In a story eerily reminiscent of the CHOICE mystery shop last year in Australia, our UK colleagues have also been caught out in orlistat (Alli in the UK) mystery shops conducted by The Sunday Telgraph (here) and the Daily Star Sunday (here)

While some pharmacies conducted consultations and declined to supply the mystery shoppers with orlistat, others failed to follow the correct procedure before selling the drug.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has reiterated to pharmacists the need to adhere to its practice guidance regarding the sale of orlistat.

Swine flu advice for community pharmacy : 30/04/2009 :

The Pharmacy Guild last night published a Swine Influenza Fact sheet for Community Pharmacy.

You can get it here.

Poll: swine flu awareness / activity : 29/04/2009 :

Swine flu is the story of the week, probably of the month and possibly of the year. The mainstream media are certainly giving the story saturation coverage - fair enough too.

How are the customers / patients in your pharmacy / department reacting to it? Is it very much the topic of the day or are people largely letting it pass them by?

Please let us know what's happening in your pharmacy / department by ticking the relevant box in today's AusPharm online poll below.

Medical Director to ditch ads : 29/04/2009 :

There has been debate for some time now as to the appropriateness of clinical software carrying advertising.

Medical Director, who has the bulk of the GP market has bowed to pressure from the RACGP, AMA, NPS and others, with CEO John Frost announcing on its user forum that it would  'progressively remove the advertising from Medical Director', commencing in August 2009.

The 'progressive' removal is to allow current agreements with advertisers to conclude.

PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 29/04/2009 :

NRL Round 7 was a tight tussle with 8 tippers all selecting the 8 winners ! Once again it came down to  margin and Kellie Baker from APHS was closest and wins the $50 prize, nice work Kellie!. In 2nd place was TJ Williams of Merck Sharpe and Dohme, with Peter Crump from Hastings Amcal taking 3rd.

The Leaderboard sees Julie Kain from Torrens Rd Gordon extend her lead out to 2 points with a score of 41. A group of 3 tippers on 39 includes Shane Lowcock of Figtree Plaza Chemist, Stewart Wyer also of APHS and Jeanette Vaughan from Medicare Australia. Lets tip 8 in Round 8!

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

Swine flu : 28/04/2009 :

Only 'listers who have been asleep for the last 48 hours will be unaware that there is a possible global flu pandemic brewing.

For the latest news, take a look at any of the mainstream media websites (eg ABC, Fairfax, News Ltd). Links to some of the main stories are in the AusPharm 'In the News' today.

Pharmacists might however might find the following information of more immediate use.

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

Chemotherapy re-imbursement changes : 28/04/2009 :

Also all over the mainstream media yesterday was the news that federal government plans to change the way it re-imbursed pharmacies dispensing chemotherapy drugs had been put on hold for two months to 'allow for further talks'.

The plan was for pharmacies to be paid only for the drugs they dispensed and not for (often unavoidable) wastage.

Links to coverage of this issue is in today's AusPharm 'In the News' section.

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