opioids
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 …
Panadol Osteo decision could shift patients to opioids
Stakeholders have expressed disappointment in the PBAC’s restatement of its decision to delist Panadol Osteo, and concerns that patients may turn to stronger alternatives to manage their pain. The PBAC …
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 …
Real-time system needed, but not ‘silver bullet’
A Victorian coroner has called for a real-time prescription monitoring system to reduce pharmaceutical drug related harms and deaths following the death of a 47-year-old man who doctor shopped extensively …
Clinical tips: New parents explained
During the roller coaster ride that’s becoming a parent, new mums and dads may need more help than they’re keen to admit, writes Karalyn Huxhagen Becoming a new parent is …
GPs in the dark without real-time monitoring
GPs are prescribing opioids “in the dark,” says a prominent GP and medical advisor, MJA Insight reports, without a real-time prescription drug monitoring protocol. Dr Walid Jammal, Senior Medical Advisor, …
Make naloxone available through take-home programs: expert
Naloxone must become available through take-home programs without the need for doctor or pharmacist involvement, say Australian experts in a report published in the Medical Journal of Australia. The drug …
Opioid use quadruples in Australia, but others can’t access pain relief
Use of common opioid painkillers such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone has more than quadrupled in Australia over the past decade and doubled worldwide over the same period a report …
Codeine rescheduling delay causing harm: ScriptWise
The TGA decision to defer the rescheduling of codeine-containing OTC medications conflicts with rising codeine analgesics misuse, its devastating consequences and the recognition that opioid misuse is a public health …
Naloxone downschedule will save lives: Angelo Pricolo
The TGA has recommended that naloxone minijet be scheduled to Pharmacist Only medicine—a decision which will likely save lives, says Angelo Pricolo, the Brunswick pharmacist who made the submission. This …
ACMS interim decision: OTC codeine could go S4
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has expressed concern at the proposed re-scheduling of codeine containing analgesics to Schedule 4, Prescription Only Medicine. The interim decision of the Advisory Committee on …
Opioid prescription meds among most over-prescribed: RACP
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is calling for greater awareness of the over-prescribing of opioid prescription medication for pain. RACP President, Laureate Professor Nick Talley, says opioids are now …