Practice Update
New prescribing guidelines for the management of ADHD
In order to provide professional advice and support to patients managing their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pharmacists need to understand mechanism of action of pharmacological treatments, and potential for …
Management of different types of conjunctivitis: viral vs bacterial vs allergic
Pharmacists are well-positioned to manage acute cases of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is a common condition with various aetiologies, including viral, bacterial, allergic or irritant origins. Effective management of conjunctivitis requires the …
Orofacial pain: when to treat and when to refer
Being able to identify the types of pain that may affect the oral facial region is the first step towards providing appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment advice. By Karalyn Huxhagen …
Malaria prophylaxis: recommendations for travellers
Travellers to malaria-endemic regions should seek guidance from their healthcare providers, including their pharmacist, on safe and effective strategies to prevent malaria. By Dr Sonal Patel BPharm, GCPH, PhD, MACP …
Never assume, even with electronic prescriptions
Without due attention, technological advances in health care can mean a heightened risk for pharmacists and patients, PDL warns In its latest practice alert, PDL shares information about avoiding errors …
Identifying complications of diabetes: the pharmacist’s role
This article discusses the various medical conditions that may occur more frequently with, or as a complication of diabetes. By Karalyn Huxhagen BPharm, FPS, FANZCAP (CommPharm, PrimCare), community pharmacist and …
Communication breakdowns and medication adherence
Breakdowns in communication can adversely affect a patient’s medication adherence. Fostering an open and continuous dialogue between patient and pharmacist will lead to improved medication adherence and better health outcomes. …
Vaccine hesitancy: nurturing confidence in vaccine hesitant consumers
As pharmacy’s vaccine role continues to expand, and as ambivalence about vaccination grows, pharmacists are increasingly confronting the problem of vaccine hesitancy. This article examines what drives this hesitancy and …
What pharmacists need to consider with urinary tract infections in people living with diabetes
This article highlights the pertinent intricacies of bacterial urinary tract infections in Australian adults with diabetes including pathophysiology, diagnostic and prognostic considerations, therapeutic management, prevention strategies, and the role of …
Hepatitis C: implications for practice
Treatment for chronic hepatitis C has been available through community pharmacies since 2016, but the predicted uptake of treatment has been lower than anticipated. Pharmacists have a key role to …
Clonidine compounding errors
PDL and the Australian Society of Compounding Pharmacists warn of serious errors involving compounding of clonidine suspension for children, including rare fatalities PDL is aware of multiple instances where a …