PDL Centenary dinner: RSVP deadline is TODAY : 23/07/2012 :

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RGH E-Bulletin: Vemurafenib for metastatic melanoma. : 23/07/2012 :

The topic of this week's RGH E‑Bulletin is Vemurafenib for metastatic melanoma.

"Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer affecting Australians, accounting for 9.5% of all cancers in this country, with more than 10,300 new cases diagnosed annually. While melanoma is the least common dermatological cancer, it is associated with the highest rates of mortality and accounts for around 75% of all skin cancer related deaths.

Vemurafenib (Zelboraf^®) is a targeted new oral therapy for metastatic and unresectable melanomas which carry the BRAF-V600E gene mutation. This BRAF-kinase inhibitor was approved by the US FDA as well as the European committee for medical products for human use in 2011 after publication of a phase 3 efficacy study: the BRIM-3 trial (n = 675). The trial showed a greater overall survival rate at six months (84% vs. 64%) and greater mean progression-free survival (5.3 months vs. 1.6 months) with vemurafenib when compared to the standard first line chemotherapy agent  dacarbazine."

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

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UK polypill trial hits the headlines : 23/07/2012 :

In news widely reported in mainstream media around the world, the results of a small UK 'Polypill' trial published last week in the journal PLoS One show that a four-component Polypill given to people aged 50 and over achieved large reductions in blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

The study was a randomised placebo-controlled cross-over trial in which each person took the Polypill for three months and a placebo for three months, in random sequence, and was the first trial in people selected on the basis of age alone without the need for a medical examination or tests.

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Poll: should dextropropoxyphene products remain available in Australia? : 23/07/2012 :

'Listers will be aware that, in December 2011, on the basis of a risk/benefit analysis, the TGA announced plans to remove all dextroproxyphene containing products from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Capadex and Paradex were duly removed from the ARTG on 1 March 2012 but Doloxene and DiGesic received a stay of execution following a successful legal appeal by its maker, Aspen who say that 'a small group of patients would be left without adequate pain relief if DiGesic [and Doloxene] were no longer available'.

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1/3 of pharmacists drink alcohol outside accepted standards : 20/07/2012 :

1/3 of the respondents to this week's AusPharm poll told us that they drink alcohol in unsafe ways.

While only 3% told us they drink 'heavily' (2%) or 'had a 'problem' (1%), 13% told us they binge sometimes with another 19% admitting to drinking 'a bit more' than the accepted 'safe' level. These numbers are not too far from those for the population as a whole.

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You call THAT a syringe? : 20/07/2012 :

A nice syringe last Friday's Photo of the Week. Thanks to Peter Allen, for this week's photo below.

Our clients are fascinated by the collection below, especially the fat needles. I explain that the 18-gauge are only for drawing up.

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AusPharm CE: Ten possible questions for the person with hypertension : 19/07/2012 :

The latest AusPharm CE topic is Ten possible questions for the person with hypertensione - it's been put together for us by Dr Jenny Gowan.

"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the term used for heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases. It is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 33% of all deaths in Australia in 2009. Cardiovascular disease is one of Australia's largest health problems. Despite improvements over the last few decades, it remains one of the biggest burdens on our economy."

The Learning Objectives for this activity are:

• To select relevant counselling points when talking to people  about optimum blood  pressure control 
• To list targets for optimum blood pressure levels   
• To assist in optimum choice of medications for hypertension
• To identify and predict adverse effects from medications used  to manage  hypertension
• To refer patients for appropriate assessment to optimise their risk management 

Click here to do this Continuing Education activity. Or, if you prefer, you might like to take a look at our other CE activities here .

AusPharm gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the sponsors of our CE program, MIMS.

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Large increase in treated end-stage kidney disease : 19/07/2012 :

The number of Australians treated with dialysis or kidney transplantation for their end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) almost tripled between 1991 and 2009, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

ESKD is the most severe form of chronic kidney disease, where kidney function is so reduced that dialysis or a transplant is necessary for survival.

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Too much food, too little balance on Aussie plates : 18/07/2012 :

Many Australians are eating too much of some foods and not enough of others, according to a report released yesterday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

‘The report shows that many Australians are not striking a balance between foods high in fat and sugar and more nutritious choices,’ said AIHW spokesperson Lisa McGlynn.

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PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 18/07/2012 :

AFL - Round 16

Round 16 of the 2012 AFL season commenced with a Friday night blockbuster featuring the Roos and the Blues, in an intense match it was the Roos who broke away to defeat the Blues by a whopping 54 points. Other highlights of the round included the Dockers firing up in the last quarter to defeat the determined Demons by 34 points and the GC Suns defeating Richmond by a slim 2 points, recording their first win of the season.

NRL - Round 19

Round 19 of the 2012 NRL Season commenced with the Broncos and the NZ Warriors, in a close encounter it was the Broncos that were victorious 10-8. Other results of the round included the Bulldogs rising to the occasion defeating the Eels at ANZ Stadium 32-20, the Cowboys outplaying the Storm 20-16, handing them their second loss in a row and the Knights demolishing the Sea Eagles 32-6.

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TGA gets new advisory committee : 18/07/2012 :

The TGA is to get a a new advisory committee, to be called the Australian Therapeutic Goods Advisory Council, to provide it with broad strategic advice, with an emphasis on improving communications between the regulator and its key stakeholders.

The Council will be chaired by Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley and will comprise 10–12 members who will provide expert advice from the perspective of the TGA’s three main stakeholder groups – consumers, health professionals and industry.

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Poll: do you drink alcohol responsibly? : 18/07/2012 :

Last week's AusPharm poll told us that only 2% of pharmacist smoke daily, well below the average for the general community, thought to be about 15%.

What about the other legal drug, also responsible for significant morbidity in Australia, alcohol?

Do you drink alcohol regularly? Never? Socially?

Please let us know by ticking the relevant box in today's AusPharm online poll.

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NPS: Non drugs therapies preferred for insomnia : 17/07/2012 :

Following the wave of recent media reports regarding the use of Stilnox by athletes, NPS is promoting the message to the publisc that there are many non-medicine options available to help those who have trouble sleeping.

NPS clinical adviser Dr Philippa Binns says that sleeping tablets, including Stilnox / zolpidem ­ are not the first-choice treatment for sleep disorders and that using non-medicine therapies are a better option.

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PSA releases draft mental health care framework : 17/07/2012 :

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has released a consultation paper on a draft Framework for pharmacists as partners in the mental health care team.
 
The draft framework has been developed in consultation with an Expert Steering Committee (ESC), chaired by Dr Julie Stokes, comprising representatives from pharmacy and mental health organisations, the medical, nursing, psychology and psychiatry professions, and consumer and carer representatives.

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(A little) more on atorvastatin : 17/07/2012 :

One other company yesterday declared it was not responsible for the pending December 1 atorvas tatin chemist list price drop and Lipitor manufacturer Pfizer also commented.

Apotex said in a statement that it would 'like to advise customers that it was not responsible for triggering this price reduction and at this stage is not aware which sponsor has offered the reduced price'.

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UK Chief Pharmaceutical officer to speak at PAC12 : 16/07/2012 :

The United Kingdom’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Dr Keith Ridge Chief, will be a keynote speaker at this year’s Pharmacy Australia Congress (PAC12).
 
Dr Ridge will bring to the Congress his wealth of experience in a wide range of pharmacy areas and in particular will look at the viability and sustainability of the profession.

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Board looking for committee members : 16/07/2012 :

The Pharmacy Board of Australia is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced pharmacists to be appointed as a member of the Board's Notifications Committee.

The Notifications Committee considers notifications from all jurisdictions with the exception of NSW. The expression of interest process is therefore open to pharmacists in all other states and territories.

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Union urges employee pharmacists to 'Check your pay' : 16/07/2012 :

As part of National Check Your Pay Day employee pharmacist union APESMA is urging pharmacists to check their pay today to ensure they are getting the right amount.

APESMA's Jacki Baulch said APESMA was regularly contacted by pharmacists who had not been receiving their legal rates of pay from their employer, backing up recent findings from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

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Atorvastatin price drop no joke : 16/07/2012 :

'Listers may recall this year's AusPharm's April Fool story that foreshadowed atorvastatin price cuts outside the price disclosure framework.

At the time we were surprised at the level of angst this caused in Health Minister Plibersek's office. The day we ran the story AusPharm received a call from a highly agitated Ministerial staffer demanding we pull the piece and issue a 'clarification' (which we did).

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RGH E-Bulletin: Calciphylaxis : 16/07/2012 :

The topic of this week's RGH E‑Bulletin is Calciphylaxis.

"Calciphylaxis or calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a complex syndrome which causes vascular calcification and skin necrosis. It is characterised by the presence of calcification of the arteries and soft tissues and it causes skin necrosis resulting in ulcer formation. Clinical markers include altered sensations on the skin and mottled skin lesions, plaques and nodules which can lead to painful necrotic ulcers. Disorders that are most often implicated in the pathogenesis of calciphylaxis include chronic renal failure, obesity, diabetes, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphotaemia, an elevated calcium-phosphate product and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other risk factors associated with calciphylaxis include female gender and Caucasian descent."

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

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