addiction
Opioid misuse: ‘Endone has become the new Panadol.’
In hospitals Endone has become the new Panadol and Australia is going down the same path as the United States when it comes to opioids, say doctors. The doctors were …
Not everyone who takes painkillers for fun is an addict; some have just found a different way to cope
Not everyone who takes painkillers for fun is an addict; some have just found a different way to cope Stephen Tomsen, Western Sydney University and Kev Dertadian, UNSW Australia The …
Treat sugar addiction like nicotine: study
A world-first study led by QUT shows excess sugar consumption could be treated in a way similar to nicotine addiction. Neuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett from QUT’s Institute of Health and …
MedsASSIST now rolling out
The Pharmacy Guild is now rolling out MedsASSIST, the codeine real-time monitoring system that it says will help pharmacists monitor consumer use of codeine containing products to ensure safe and …
Collaborate to manage pain
Collaboration and communication with patients is key to helping legitimate pain patients, with real-time monitoring useful for catching misusers of codeine only. Most people who become dependent on over-the-counter codeine …
Summit shows drug attitudes are changing: Pricolo
Australia needs a significant shift in how it discusses drug use, says Angelo Pricolo, a member of the PSA’s Harm Minimisation Committee and a National Councillor with the Pharmacy Guild …
PSA launches new guide to naloxone supply
A new guide to inform pharmacists about the safe and effective supply of naloxone has been released by the PSA. The comprehensive guide has been produced following the TGA’s decision …
ASMI arguing for continued pharmacy codeine access
In its submission to the supplementary consultation on the scheduling of OTC codeine medicines, ASMI supported regulatory options that reduce the risk of codeine misuse, while retaining pharmacy access for …
Addiction not a character flaw issue: expert
Addictions may be described as “ecological or environmental traps” resulting from the human brain’s reaction to products or activities, rather than a disease of individuals, says an addiction expert. Drug, …
MedsASSIST on track to monitor codeine sales: Quilty
The real-time monitoring system for over-the-counter codeine-containing products, MedsASSIST – informing medicine decisions, is progressing well, David Quilty writes in this week’s edition of Forefront. User testing of the prototype …
TGA seeks submissions on codeine options
The TGA is seeking further advice and submissions from stakeholders in regard to newly proposed options for the future scheduling of OTC codeine-containing preparations. Last month it deferred its final …
‘Change the damn colour of folate tablets already’: best reader comments
AJP takes a look back at this week’s best reader comments Our article on methotrexate, highlighting that patients have been taking the drug daily rather than weekly as prescribed, attracted …