RGH E-Bulletin: Managing menopausal symptoms in women with migraine : 29/03/2010 :

The topic of this RGH E‑Bulletin is Managing menopausal symptoms in women with migraine..

"Migraine is broadly divided into two main categories based on the presence or absence of aura symptoms. For women who experience migraine associated with a fall in serum oestrogen levels (menstrual migraine), the migraine is almost invariably without aura. In comparison, high levels of serum oestrogen appear to be associated with migraine with aura."

Click here to read the bulletin in full. The E‑Bulletins are archived on the AusPharmList website here.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

The biggest threat to pharmacy - poll result : 26/03/2010 :

We could write a book on this week's poll result. Don't worry 'though - we won't! In summary, our poll options identified a range of issues 'listers regard as current threats to 'pharmacy'.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

New webinars encourage professional services role : 26/03/2010 :

Two educational videos have been developed under the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement to provide information and education to pharmacists/pharmacy owners and to encourage them to provide DAA and PMP services. 

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Pharmacist Internet use survey : 26/03/2010 :

Griffith University is undertaking a nationwide survey in an attempt to explore Australian pharmacists' internet (including social media - Facebook etc) usage to assist in the delivery of e-health care in the early 21st century.

The survey of 57 questons takes about 15 minutes and will explore how pharmacists use these technologies and the possible impact they may have on health care delivery and practice promotion.

For more information, or to do the survey, click here.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Autumn 2010 Medicare Australia Bulletin Board : 25/03/2010 :

The autumn edition of Medicare Australia's Bulletin Board has been published on the Medicare Australia website.

Amongst the usual array of administrative material is a report of MA's recent compliance activities including that it has:

• finalised 48 audits of pharmacists in relation to anomalous claiming, including claiming for supply after the date of death of a patient and duplicate claiming
• finalised five investigations of pharmacists for suspected fraud
• started audits of pharmacies who appear to be claiming multiple times for the same prescription.

The Autumn Bulletin Board also contains information on a new Closing the Gap — PBS co-payment measure that will be available soon.

You can access Bulletin Board on the MA website here.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

AusPharm CE: Wound care : 25/03/2010 :

The next AusPharm CE topic is Wound Care - it's been put together for us by Australian pharmacist, Natalie Carswell, who is completing a Masters in Wound Care by distance education through Monash University.

"There are many wound products available and the decision to use one treatment method over another is based on a comprehensive wound assessment. The wound dressing however is only one component of wound care. Wound care comprises the following five main principles..."

Click here to do this Continuing Education activity. Or, if you prefer, you might like to take a look at our other CE activities here .

AusPharm gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the sponsors of our CE program, MIMS.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

PSA: Pharmacy Self Care a key to preventive health : 25/03/2010 :

According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the current health-care debate has highlighted the role of pharmacists as primary health-care providers and key to developing and implementing preventive health measures.
 
PSA says its Pharmacy Self Care program has been a leader in both fields for more than 23 years and is continually revising and updating the program to meet current and developing needs.

The Society is currently promoting the program to consumers

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Here's something we can all agree on..... : 25/03/2010 :

The peak forum of Australian pharmacy has urged all sides of politics to support the Healthcare Identifiers Bill now before Federal Parliament.

The Australian Pharmacy Liaison Forum*, representing the full range of pharmacy education and professional activity in Australia, met in Canberra this week and unanimously expressed support for the passage of the important legislation in the interests of consumers and the health care system.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

PHARMeFOOTY - not too late to register : 24/03/2010 :

PHARMeFOOTY is underway for 2010 - good luck to all tippers for the 2010 season!

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Poll: what's the biggest threat to the pharmacy profession at present? : 24/03/2010 :

With the 5th Community Pharmacy Agreement soon to be finalised we thought it timely to repeat a poll we ran 5 years ago, just prior to the commencement of the 4th Agreement (we've tweaked the poll options but the thrust is the same).

While the signs are largely positive for CPA5 a number of threats to the profession are evident. Which worries you most? Please let us know by voting in today's AusPharm poll.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

5 years ago today - the coming storm : 24/03/2010 :

Back in March 2005, in a speech at APP then Health Minister Tony Abbott floated the idea that pharmacies be allowed to discount PBS co-payments.

As part of an AusPharmList thread that canvassed this, Irwin the evil chemist posted the prophetic comments below exactly 5 years ago today.

----------

Years back had a single bloody minded cashed up competitor who dispensed PBS scripts for no surcharges (ie: PBS sticker price) and spent 20 months (he won, I lost) watching the figurative slow bleed from the knife in my belly.

You need to be a "premium" subscriber to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

PSA: Health of consumers must drive health debate : 24/03/2010 :

The health debate between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was primarily about addressing the health of the system, and not the health of Australians, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says.

National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Warwick Plunkett, said the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott both focussed on funding with neither making any mention of the most accessible health-care professionals in Australia - pharmacists.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Government launches new swine flu advertising campaign : 23/03/2010 :

The Australian Government is launching a new ‘Facts about Swine Flu’ campaign.

The governemnt is urging people to get vaccinated now, before the flu season starts, to avoid undue pressure on vaccination providers that could happen if people delay their vaccination until winter or until they see a rise in cases.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Sigma saga goes on ... and on ... and on : 23/03/2010 :

Sigma Pharmaceuticals issued yet another market announcement yesterday saying that they won't, after all, be able to release their financial statement today.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Ask your pharmacist TV ad : 23/03/2010 :

The Mersyndol Day Strength/Gold Cross TV ad is about to run again; from 28 March for four weeks. According to Gold Cross, the campaign is aimed at reinforcing the Gold Cross as the symbol of the profession – representing trust, service and advice.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Fifth Meeting of the Pharmacy Board of Australia : 23/03/2010 :

The Pharmacy Board of Australia today released a report of its 5th meeting, held in Melbourne on February 26.

There were no surprises in the report - as in previous meetings, in its fifth meeting the Board focused on the matters it had to resolve before the commencement of the national registration and accreditation scheme on 1 July 2010.

Read the (brief) report for yourself here.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Flash drives a winner? : 22/03/2010 :

Our thanks to the many AusPharm members who took advantage of the premium upgrade offer we ran last week.

Seems our 4GB AusPharm branded flash drives (and our premium content) hold a special appeal for our members! Watch this space - we'll see if we can come up with another tempting offer for you next month.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Sigma : 22/03/2010 :

There has been considerable speculation in both pharmacy and mainstream media on what ails Sigma. According to the company, all will be revealed tomorrow.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

New medicine information resource for Arabic speakers : 22/03/2010 :

Australia’s growing population of Arabic speakers now has access to a translated brochure explaining what they need to know about their medicines.

The Medimate brochure contains information about prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and natural and herbal medicines. It includes advice about how to use medicines safely, managing multiple medicines and keeping healthy with and without medicines.

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

New registration arrangements for overseas trained pharmacists : 22/03/2010 :

With national registration for pharmacists due to commence on July 1, new assessment and registration arrangements have been put in place for overseas trained pharmacists.

Read  all about it on the Australian Pharmacy Council website here

You need to log in to read the rest of this article. Click here for details

Click here to go to the old "Industry News" page (pre 01/09/2006).