Clinical
‘Reassuring’ findings on buprenorphine in pregnancy
New findings on exposure to buprenorphine compared with methadone in pregnancy “help reinforce practices that we are already seeing,” says leading addiction pharmacist Researchers who studied more than 18,000 pregnancies …
Large majority give health workers thumbs up for flu vax
Trust in health professionals to give the flu vaccine is rising… so why are rates declining? A new survey asks Australians about their attitudes and barriers Most people want to …
April MIMS update
Some of the recent changes to the medicines landscape, with new products and indications New Products Fedratinib (as dihydrochloride monohydrate) (Inrebic) is an oral kinase inhibitor with activity against wild …
Tariffs threaten PBS listings: Breast Cancer Network Australia
Patients needing access to high-cost medicines are being abandoned as Trump’s tariffs prompt “pharmaceutical standoff”, advocacy group warns Concerns are being raised that patients are being left to deteriorate as talks to list …
Vaping: no smoking gun
A legitimate smoking cessation tool, or a serious public health risk? Sheshtyn Paola examines nicotine vaping products for smoking cessation KEY POINTS: With no approved product assessed by the TGA …
‘It’s a really good opportunity for everyone to step up’
In the wake of publicised melatonin poisonings, a clinical and regulatory director says a few key questions can help pharmacists stay within the flags Compounders are reportedly receiving calls for …
March MIMS update
Some of the recent changes to the medicines landscape, with new products, presentations, indications and contraindications New Products Belantamab mafodotin (rch) (Blenrep) is a humanised immunoglobulin G1 kappa monoclonal antibody …
Cost ‘major barrier’ to access, patients lowering doses
Resounding support for subsidising GLP-1s for obesity treatment, PBS public consultation submissions show, with quality of medicines issues present Submissions from 491 consumers, 25 health professionals and 23 organisations to …
‘We need better systems to identify patients at risk’
Rapidly reducing or abruptly stopping prescription opioids significantly increases the risk of mental health or substance use-related emergency presentations, new data shows The data, from Monash University, demonstrates the need …
Medicinal cannabis framework ‘not fit for purpose’
Stakeholders flag safety concerns over “outdated, under-regulated and inadequate” unapproved medicinal cannabis framework Submissions to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA’s) consultation: reviewing the safety and regulatory oversight of unapproved medicinal …
ECP guidelines ‘inaccessible, ambiguous and impractical’
Barriers to accessing emergency hormonal contraception guidelines contribute to “inconsistent provision and reduced adherence to evidence-based recommendations”, study reveals Community pharmacists often rely on professional judgement rather than evidence-based practice …
PBS supply of antimicrobials 20% lower in a decade
But inappropriate prescribing in hospitals post procedure remains high Supply of antimicrobials is slowly creeping up since 2022, but it remains below the volume dispensed in 2015, according to the …