RGH E-Bulletin: Interaction of statins with grapefruit juice : 10/05/2010 :

The topic of this RGH E‑Bulletin is Interaction of statins with grapefruit juice.

"Grapefruit juice has been extensively studied for its ability to interact with drugs. As a naturally occurring product, the interacting substance(s), not fully identified, appear in different quantities in different fruit. The commercial juicing process forces large quantities of potentially interacting substances normally present in the pith and rind into juice. This has lead to the suggestion that the whole grapefruit is less likely to interact as the fruit juice."

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

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New and emerging prescribers will benefit from attending the National Medicines Symposium : 07/05/2010 :

Following the signing of the Fifth Pharmacy Agreement, the National Prescribing Service (NPS) is encouraging pharmacists to attend the National Medicines Symposium to join national discussion about the safe and judicious use of medicines, and the latest developments in clinical practice and interventions.

Hosted by NPS, the Symposium will be held in Melbourne on May 27-28 and will bring together everyone working in the medicines space from health professionals to academics, consumer groups and policy makers.

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Funding of e-prescribing a win for pharmacy and the community : 07/05/2010 :

New e-prescribing incentive payments announced within the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement represent a 'win-win' for pharmacy, medical practitioners and the community, according to eRx Script Exchange. 

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Industry lobbying for changes to S3 advertising rules : 06/05/2010 :

The Australian Self-Medication Industry (ASMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products, has called for reforms to therapeutic goods regulation to allow advertising for schedule 3 medicines.

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Guild: don't worry, we knew about this all along : 06/05/2010 :

Such was the front page headline in yesterday's Financial Review. The story canvassed a deal said to have been done between Medicines Australia on behalf of its members and the government that will see $2 billion cut from the PBS over the next four years.

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PSA CEO resigns : 06/05/2010 :

The Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Bryan Stevens, announced his resignation from the role yesterday.

Mr Stevens has led the PSA through the complex process of unification.

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Price of chloro drops / ointment : 06/05/2010 :

This week's poll asked 'listers what their pharmacies were charging for the recently down-scheduled ocular chloramphenicol products.

Looking at the results below, the 'average' seems to be about $12-13, however prices appear to range between about $8 and $20. Half of responding pharmacies are charging in the $11-15 range.

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Military pharmacist new PSA SA Vice President : 05/05/2010 :

The South Australian Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has announced the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Papastamatis (Army Reserve), pictured at right,  as joint Vice President of the Branch, a position shared with Ms Lyn Banner, Professional Services Manager National Pharmacies (SA/NSW).

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Poll: pharmacist only chloramphenicol - what are you charging? : 05/05/2010 :

On May 1 ocular chloramphenicol preparations were down-scheduled to schedule 3, pharmacist only. AusPharm is interested to know what pharmacies are charging for these preparations now they're off script.

Please let us know by ticking the relevant box in today's AusPharm poll.

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2010 Victorian Pharmacy Industry Dinner : 05/05/2010 :

The Australian College of Pharmacy Practise is hosting a Pharmacy Industry Dinner in Melbourne on Thursday May 27.

The venue is Leonda By The Yarra, and the guest speaker for the evening is David Smorgon.

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Daily supply, DAAs to be funded through 'pharmacy practice incentive' : 05/05/2010 :

The Pharmacy Guild announced yesterday that staged supply of PBS medications would be funded as part of the Fifth Agreement. However, payment will be made as a pharmacy practice incentive - not as a payment for provision of individual services.

Also to be funded through a practice payment incentive rather than a direct fee for service is the 5th Agreement Dose Administration Aids program.

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Henry Review, Guild responds : 04/05/2010 :

In the wake of yesterday's release of the Henry Review on tax the Pharmacy Guild says its recommendations will take a lengthy time line to fully implement and that it welcomes the Federal Government's cautious response to the review, which will give appropriate industry players time to consult Government.

Guild President Kos Sclavos said, "The announcements to date are generally good for small business, hence they are good for community pharmacy. There are however still some elements of the tax system that could be improved," Mr Sclavos said.

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New Queensland plant to manufacture biologic drugs : 04/05/2010 :

The Queensland government announced yesterday that it has secured international drug manufacturer DSM Biologics to operate Australia's first major contract manufacturing facility for biologic drugs and therapeutics. 

The facility is being built in partnership with Queensland Government-owned BioPharmaceuticals Australia, and will be located with the Translational Research Institute on the Princess Alexandria Hospital campus in Brisbane.

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Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement signed : 04/05/2010 :

The 5th Community pharmacy Agreement was signed in Canberra yesterday afternoon by Guild President Kos Sclavos and Minister for Health Nicola Roxon.

While actual funding amounts have been withheld for now, program details have been released. The full text of the Agreement, including the funding amounts for individual programs, will be released after next week's federal budget.

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Looks like many pharmacists will be saying goodbye to Sigma : 04/05/2010 :

Yesterday's poll sought 'listers' views on how influenced they'd been by recent media reports of the troubles at Sigma.

Quite troubled, our results suggest.

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PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 04/05/2010 :

NRL Round 8 was too tough for tippers with 7 winners being the best result. The closest margin was tipped by John Alcorn from Mapps Pharmacy so John is the weekly winner, congratulations John. In 2nd place was Hamish Crisp from ADF with Christine Davies of Crowleys in 3rd spot.

AFL Round 6 was a good tipping round with 12 tippers selecting all 8 winners. Warren Mascoll from Medication Review Service tipped the perfect margin and takes out the weekly prize, well done Warren. In 2nd place was Laura Wagner of Burdens Elizabeth with Angelo Mesin from Cessnock Pharmacy in 3rd position.

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RGH E-Bulletin: Benefits of fish oil : 03/05/2010 :

The topic of this RGH E‑Bulletin is Benefits of fish oil.

"The health benefits of fish oil have been extensively studied since it was first hypothesised that the lower rates of heart disease found in Greenland Eskimos was associated with their consumption of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish. The n-3 fats found in fish include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The claimed health benefits of fish oil are too numerous to fully cover here, and many are yet to be supported by clear evidence at this stage. However there are some benefits of fish oil that have strong evidence and are now well recognised..."

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Poll: I'll be saying goodbye to Sigma : 03/05/2010 :

'Listers will have read of Sigma's recent woes in the mainstream media and in posts to AusPharmList. The company has had to write down the value of some of its assets and, because of this, reported a big loss for the year to January 2010.

In posts to AusPharmList 'listers have expressed disappointment at what they perceive to be inept management and at the contribution the alleged sweetheart trading terms afforded to the My Chemist / Chemist Warehouse group has had on Sigma's finances and on the businesses of other pharmacies not in receipt of similar trading terms.

What do you think - is it enough to stop you dealing with the company? Please let us know by voting in today's AusPharm poll. NB. We'll only be running this poll for 24 hours and will publish the result tomorrow so get your votes in today.

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Codeine scheduling changes : 03/05/2010 :

While most 'lister's pharmacies will have made the appropriate changes to prepare for the codeine scheduling changes that came into effect on Saturday, there may well be some who haven't.

With this in mind our good friends at Gold Cross have sent along a piece originally published in their In the Know newsletter and given us permission to make it available to you today.

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Pharmacists can help chronic pain patients : 03/05/2010 :

Pharmacists have a role to play in assisting patients with chronic pain to access support services and also to be a regular point of contact for patients, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says. 

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