prescription opioids
‘The pendulum has swung the other way.’
What factors lead to opioid dependence? Researchers share findings, but warn that limits on pain medication—including paracetamol—may have a major impact on chronic pain With guidelines and restrictions brought in …
Understanding your risk capacity—Part 2
In the second instalment of a series of webinars entitled Understanding Your Risk Capacity, Nicolette Ellis, Gary West, and Dr Brett MacFarlane continue their discussions about measuring, evaluating, and managing …
Understanding your risk capacity—Part 1
Many of us have experienced those heart sinking moments of concern or discomfort when asked to dispense a medicine which we believe is inappropriate or high risk. In this webinar, …
Chronic pain and opioids: Carers must be opioid aware
With opioid literacy an ongoing problem, Carers Australia is urging pharmacists to play a more active role in identifying carers of people relying on opioids for pain relief, and to …
Pharmacist boosts drug safety
A study has found that a pharmacist-led clinic reduced opioid consumption by 15%, while 90% of GPs planned to implement at least one recommendation A study has found positive impacts …
No criticism for treating practitioners
An inquest has found an ACT man died due to morphine toxicity, with signs he was stockpiling his medications A coroner has made an open finding as to the manner …
How does stockpiling, dependence and diversion relate to dose?
A study across patients recruited from Australian community pharmacies has looked at the link between prescribed opioid dose and problematic behaviours Many people stay on opioids for years to treat …
J&J ordered to pay $846 million for role in opioid crisis
The pharmaceutical company says it will appeal the judgement A judge has fined drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and its pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen US$572 million (AUD$846 million) after finding the …
Who is at risk?
People who use cannabis, both medical or otherwise, are at increased risk of prescription opioid misuse – but medical cannabis users are not at higher risk of disorder A study …