Australian Prescriber: Hypnotic hazards of z-drugs immeasurable : 27/11/2008 :

It is difficult to know the extent of the use and adverse effects of zolpidem and other z-drugs (zopiclone and zaleplon) because they have never been listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, senior Sleep Disorders Physician Dr Les Olson writes in the December edition of Australian Prescriber, due out next week.

Following the media attention given to side effects in patients taking zolpidem, Dr Olson reviews the known adverse reactions of the z-drugs.

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

GP / pharmacist MOU renewed : 27/11/2008 :

A renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Australian General Practice Network was signed in Canberra yesterday.

Respectively, the Guild and AGPN represent 5000 community pharmacists and 119 local divisions of general practice and State Based Organisations.

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

ASMI marketing awards honour excellence and innovation in healthcare sector : 26/11/2008 :

Awards for Australia’s most innovative healthcare products, promotions and self care initiatives were announced at the Australian Self-Medication Industry Conference in Sydney last week.

The ASMI awards were presented by the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Senator Jan McLucas and reflect achievement in product innovation in the over-the-counter (OTC) medicines sector.

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

API share price plummets : 26/11/2008 :

The API share price dropped yesterday from its 10AM opening of 49c to close at 4PM at 35c, a drop of 21% over the course of the day.

API says it is unaware of any reason for the drop in share price or for the increase in volume of shares traded in the last 24 hours.

AusPharm would be interested to hear from anyone who might have an explanation for this.

Poll Result: The impact of workload on professionalism : 26/11/2008 :

Following on from Ron Batagol's AusPharm article Insurance to close the sausage factories? It's worth a try! , we asked 'Listers how frequently they felt heavy workload put pressure on their responsibility as pharmacists.

The results (n=163) show 48% of total respondents (both pharmacy owners and employees) felt their professionalism was often compromised by heavy workload. 39% felt this occurred occasionally, and only 12% of respondents it seems work in environments where they feel their professionalism is only rarely compromised. Hmmm!

Analysing the responses split on the basis of ownership status, AusPharm observes that pharmacy owners (n= 53) seem to feel less pressure due to workload on their professionalism whilst working than employee pharmacists (n= 110). 21% of owners indicated they felt their professionalism was rarely  compromised due to workload, compared to only 7% of their employees who felt the same way. Ascertaining why this might be so is obviously beyond the scope of this poll. Possibly owners of multiple sites spend more time working "on" their business than "in" it? Or maybe they are cut from different cloth to their employees and handle workload pressures differently? Whatever the reason, it remains a salient reflection of the differing experiences of the two groups.

Click the link to see the results in detail.

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

Poll: How are we providing HMR & RMMR services? : 26/11/2008 :

Our latest AusPharm poll was inspired by a post earlier this week from 'Lister Wanda Amos - Never let it be said we don't listen to our subscribers! Wanda was pondering how pharmacies are providing their HMR & RMMR services, and who is actually doing the work. So today, we're asking!

What happens in the pharmacy where you work? Are HMR & RMMR services carried out by the owner, manager or employees of the pharmacy? Are they contracted out to an independent pharmacist, or perhaps an organisation that specialises in these services and employs multiple pharmacists? Or do you have some kind of split arrangement in place, with one party carrying out the interview and another pharmacist completing the report? Please help us to find out by ticking the relevant box in today's AusPharm poll below.

And if you have an idea for a future poll, we'd love to hear it. Email us!

Prevent Puffer Problems' campaign launched : 25/11/2008 :

A new national campaign: “Prevent Puffer Problems”, was launched last Thursday by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Alan Griffin, to help improve older Australians’ inhaler technique.

Experts believe that the vast majority of Australia's inhaler uers are not using their inhalers properly resulting in poor medication delivery, which in turn can lead to reduced quality of life, more frequent and longer hospital stays and an increased dependence on medication.

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

RGH E-Bulletin: Varenicline and mental disorders : 24/11/2008 :

The topic of this week's RGH E-Bulletin is Varenicline and mental disorders.

"The Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin lists varenicline as a drug of current interest. In December 2007 the European Medicine Agency warned physicians that the use of varenicline for smoking cessation has been associated with cases of depression, with symptoms including suicidal ideation and attempt. In February 2008 the US FDA issued an alert concerning an increase in neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients taking varenicline. These include changes in behaviour, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation and attempted and completed suicide."

Click here to read the bulletin in full.

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

Winners of 2008 Pharmacy Practice Foundation Medals of Excellence announced : 21/11/2008 :

In its 30th Anniversary year, the Pharmacy Practice Foundation within The University of Sydney held its annual Governors’ Dinner on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 in the historic and elegant setting of the Great Hall at The University of Sydney.

One of the purposes of the evening was the announcement and presentation of the Medals of Excellence in Pharmacy Practice.  These medals reward those who have had a significant role to play in advancing pharmacy practice in Australia.

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

Pharmacy Asthma Pilot Program commences : 21/11/2008 :

Recruitment for the pilot stage of the Pharmacy Asthma Management Service (PAMS) has begun with 100 pharmacies to be selected to participate from ACT, NSW, Victoria and Queensland. The pilot builds on research conducted under the Third Agreement R&D Program.

The program will be implemented in two stages, with Stage 1 informing future development, subject to Ministerial approval. It will focus on patients with poorly-controlled asthma and aims to improve self-management through a series of in-pharmacy consultations with a specially trained and credentialed pharmacist.

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

Poll Result: Blood Pressure Checks : 21/11/2008 :

With the new "Know Your Numbers" program launching in Queensland, we asked 'listers whether their pharmacy performs blood pressure checks for their patients. The results (n=160) show a massive 72% of respondents' pharmacies perform blood pressure checks for anyone who asks, for FREE!

AusPharm is astonished that in a climate where margins are under pressure and the profession seems to be expressing a strong desire to be paid appropriately for the services it provides, so many pharmacies appear to be giving their time and expertise away for free!

Only 15% of the respondents' pharmacies have adopted a fee-for-service model for blood pressure checks. A further 6% have limited their fee-free offering to regular customers only and 8% do not offer the service at all. Why are so many of us doing free blood pressure checks? What sets the 15% who get paid apart from the rest of us? Is their service any better? Could it just be they value their time & simply have the gumption to ask for a fee?

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

Pharmacists are an underutilised resource : 20/11/2008 :

New research into the impact of minor ailments on GP workload suggest that significant medical resources are being devoted to coughs, colds and other conditions that could be effectively managed by a pharmacist, practice nurse or through responsible self care.

The study was commissioned by the Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) and conducted by international health industry consultants IMS. It revealed that 15% of all GP consultations involve the treatment of minor ailments and 7% involve the treatment of minor ailments alone.

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

Health Corp says Chemconsult® results are encouraging : 20/11/2008 :

Health Corporation, parent company of the Health Information Pharmacy (HIP) Group, reported yesterday that, in an analysis of data to October, 2008, 23% of consultations made through its Chemconsult® medication counselling system resulted in a clinical intervention.

Ken Lee, Health Corp's chairman said that these initial findings, taken from 2,200 consultations, were 'very encouraging'.

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

Blackmores reports net profit growth : 20/11/2008 :

At its annual general meeting in Sydney today complementary medicine manufacturer Blackmores will report an increase in net profit after tax of 14.5% for financial year 2007/2008 vs 2006/2007. This was achieved on the back of growth in revenue of 4.2%. Earnings per share increased by 13.5% in the same period.

The company will report that the present global financial crisis, growth in the cost of goods and the possibility of more restrictive government regulation will present challenges for the current financial year. It says that its leadership team, headed by new CEO Christine Holgate, a range of new products, its new Warriewood facility and a drop in interest rates will all help it to meet these challenges.

Pharmacists' study tour to Croatia : 19/11/2008 :

A small group of Australian pharmacists has just returned from a study tour to Croatia. The tour party numbered 60 in total and they visited Slovenia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro, as well as Croatia, for 19 days during October.

In Zagreb at the tour's welcome reception the tour party was officially welcomed by the Australian Ambassador Tracey Reid. Pictured below are tour organisers Mike Lazarow and Dipak Sanghvi with the ambassador.

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

Poll: does your pharmacy perform blood pressure checks? : 19/11/2008 :

Following on from yesterday's announcement that free blood pressure checks will become de rigueur in Queensland pharmacies from early next year as part of the $2.6 million "Know Your Numbers" program - an initiative of the National Stroke Foundation and Pharmacy Guild, AusPharm thought it worth checking the status quo in pharmacies when it comes to offering blood pressure checks.

Does the pharmacy you work in perform blood pressure checks? Who for? Is the service you offer free or does it require a patient contribution? Please let us know what happens in your pharmacy by ticking the appropriate box in today's poll below.

RGH HOSPITAL PHARMACY VACATION SCHOLARSHIP : 18/11/2008 :

The Pharmacy Department at the Repatriation General Hospital is widely regarded as a leading provider of excellent hospital pharmacy services. Staffed by a team of respected practitioners with the backing of high quality resources and a quality work environment, the Pharmacy Department at the Repat has offered an excellent learning environment for pharmacy students over many years.

An opportunity exists for an outstanding pharmacy student to undertake a vacation scholarship in the Repat Hospital Pharmacy over the coming summer. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to learn more about hospitals, healthcare, and hospital pharmacy by participating in the activities of department over a six week period.

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

Best practice drug use in aged care : 18/11/2008 :

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) has developed a free quality improvement tool to assist pharmacists determine the appropriateness of analgesic use by the residents of aged care facilities. According to NPS, pain is common among aged care residents and is often under-treated.

Analgesic use for persistent pain in aged care homes Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) is the third DUE toolkit available from NPS. The first focused on reviewing the use of hypnotics (benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine) in treating insomnia, while the second DUE centered on antipsychotic drugs in the behavioural disturbance of dementia.

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

Queensland pharmacies team up with state government in primary care initiative : 18/11/2008 :

Free blood pressure checks will be available in local pharmacies in Queensland early in 2009.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the $2.6 million commitment meant that from February next year up to 300 pharmacies across the State would offer free checks as part of the Know Your Numbers program – an initiative of the National Stroke Foundation and Pharmacy Guild.

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

Esipram(R) poll result : 18/11/2008 :

This week's poll asked 'listers whether their pharmacy stocks Esipram(R), the generic escitalopram only available from DHL with credit card payment in advance. The results (n=78) show that 31% of our respondents' pharmacies don't stock it at all. This compares to our April poll that returned a 48% 'not stock' result.

Seems pharmacists are slow to adapt to supply arrangements outside the 'traditional' ones. AusPharm is surprised at the 31% 'not stock' outcome - the pharmacies we work in bit the bullet and now stock Esipram(R), thereby avoiding significant angst in explaining to patients that 'we only have the dearer (by $5- $7!) brand.

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).