New legislation to better detect PBS fraud
A bill is being considered to give the government more powers to investigate PBS and MBS fraud, including claims for medicines that have not been supplied Health Minister Greg Hunt …
Stronger safeguards for risperidone prescribing
Streamlined authority codes for risperidone will change from 1 January 2020, in line with PM’s response to Aged Care Royal Commission’s Interim Report Commencing 1 January 2020, the PBS listings …
Is it safe to seek help?
With changes to mandatory notifications to take effect soon, we look at case studies of what constitutes impairment as AHPRA encourages registered practitioners to seek help for their own health …
Time to talk
A new suicide prevention program is encouraging health care professionals to help support their patients’ mental health #YouCanTalk is urging all Australians to play a more active role in preventing …
Clever drugs for slimy bugs
Moves to eradicate deadly staph using a new breed of antibiotics have revealed promising results QUT researchers have developed hybrid antibiotics designed to penetrate the shield protecting invasive golden staph …
Spotlight on placebo
Doctors are actively prescribing placebos, a new Australian study has shown: and now, one stakeholder has urged patients not to always expect a medicine Mainstream media have reported on a …
Why is my poo green?
Vincent Ho from Western Sydney University looks at a colourful problem It’s happened to many of us at some point in our lives: we finish our bowel movement, look down …
Patient-centred practice inspo at APP2020
The Guild will host a Canadian pharmacist and organisational coach at the APP2020 conference in March The 2020 Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference and Trade Exhibition says it is pleased to …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Amiodarone in the aged Amiodarone is a highly effective antiarrhythmic drug, but can have serious adverse effects, particularly in older patients. …
Ministers monitoring e-cigarettes
Stakeholders have backed a whole-of-government statement highlighting concerns about “the direct harms e‐cigarettes pose to human health” The latest communique released by the intergovernmental Ministerial Drug and Alcohol Forum notes …
‘We need more Indigenous pharmacists, nurses, doctors.’
Australia’s first registered pharmacist who is Aboriginal has spoken about the importance of helping First Nations Peoples feel valued and included in health care Associate Professor Faye McMillan, the 2019 …
TGA moves on EpiPen shortage
Due to the critical nature of the ongoing EpiPen Jr shortage, the TGA has announced it is allowing one batch to be supplied that has not met all the required …