Flu vaccine poll result : 08/05/2009 :

This week's poll asked 'listers to tell us whether they'd had (or were about to have) a flu vaccine this year.

Assuming that all of those 'about to's' follow through with their intention this gives pharmacists a strike rate of 63% (n=249).

One group deemed by health authorities as needing the vaccine is: "Residents of nursing homes or other long-term facilities and contacts of high risk patients, including health-care providers, staff of nursing homes and long-term care facilities and household members of persons in high-risk groups."

Does this include all pharmacists or just those servicing nursing homes?

Kids cough and cold medicine manufacturers lobbying hard : 08/05/2009 :

Following concerns raised around the world in recent times about the safety and efficacy of children's cough and cold medicines the Australian Self-Medication Industry (ASMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products has arranged for representatives from its US counterpart, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), to meet with the TGA to discuss these issues.

The makers of these medicines in the U.S. have commenced a research and education program to inform regulatory authorities, healthcare professionals and consumers.

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

Latest swine flu update : 08/05/2009 :

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia yesterday published an H1N1 influenza update on its website.

You can get it here.

PSA: Laws relating to contraceptive sales in NT raise concerns : 08/05/2009 :

In a statement issued yesterday the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia expressed concerns over laws in the Northern Territory requiring pharmacists to report sales of contraceptive items to people under the age of 16.

Under the laws, which have been in place for some months but which the Government has only just ordered health workers to comply with, sexual activity among people under the age of 16 must be reported to a team that includes police and staff in the Northern Territory's Department of Health and Families. The laws apply to any person under the age of 16 who is sexually active, regardless of the age of that person's sexual partner or if the activity is consensual.

Acting President of the PSA, Dr Shane Jackson, said the laws raised issues of public health and privacy. 

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

Face mask shortage : 07/05/2009 :

Amid continuing reports that some pharmacies are having difficulty sourcing enough face masks to meet demand we've received official advice on some interim measures your customers can be advised to adopt.

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

Criteria for the approval of Victorian pharmacy departments : 07/05/2009 :

The Pharmacy Board of Victoria has developed draft criteria for the approval of pharmacy departments. The criteria are designed to supplement the Board’s guidelines and provide additional guidance on the requirements for approval of pharmacy departments.

The Board has released the criteria for public consultation and invites comment (to the Board's registrar) by 12 June 2009.

You can get a copy of the draft guidelines here.

Public urged to avoid (complementary) medicines for H1N1 : 07/05/2009 :

The Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC) and the Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) issued a joint statement yesterday warning consumers to stay away from (complementary) medicines that claim to treat or prevent swine flu.

According to the two industry associations the public should be wary of Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus that have not been proven to be safe and effective for these uses by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

"Many of these deceptive products are being sold over the internet via illegitimate web sites. The operators of these web sites take advantage of the public's concerns about H1N1 influenza and their desire to protect
themselves and their families. These fraudulent products can present as supplements, food products, or products purporting to be drugs, devices or vaccines."

2009 PSA Excellence Awards - nominations now open : 06/05/2009 :

Nominations are now open for the 2009 PSA Excellence Awards.  Awards are given in three categories:

• Pharmacist of the Year
• Young Pharmacist of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement

Further details, including nomination forms are available at the PSA website here.

Nominations close on 1 September 2009 and the winners will be announced at the opening Plenary Session of the Pharmacy Australia Congress in Sydney on Friday, 16 October 2009.

Research Roundup : 06/05/2009 : AusPharm Research Roundup is a weekly column collated by Debbie Rigby that is designed to bring AusPharmers a summary of selected research papers published during the preceding week or two.

Debbie  is overseas at present and has taken two weeks leave of absence from putting together Research Roundup for us.

I'm sure you'll all agree she deserves the time off!

You can review past issues of Research Roundup here  . 

Antiviral guidelines and rapid tests for diagnosing influenza available on NPS website : 06/05/2009 :

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) has urged health professionals to follow guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Ageing when prescribing antivirals for the treatment of swine influenza (H1N1).

Current recommendations for the treatment of swine influenza using oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) are only in the event of:

• Close contacts of confirmed or probable cases, in consultation with the local Public Health Unit, within 48 hours of contact
• Suspected cases, in consultation with the local Public Health Unit, if started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, until influenza A is excluded or an alternative diagnosis is made.

There is no current recommendation for oseltamivir to be used as a prevention by travellers visiting affected countries, apart from Mexico.

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

Roche suspends supply of Tamiflu® to wholesalers, extends expiry date : 06/05/2009 :

Roche announced yesterday that, in line with its global policy for allocating Tamiflu, it had temporarily suspended the commercial supply of Tamiflu® to pharmaceutical wholesalers. According to the company commercial stock levels will be renewed within the coming weeks.

In related news yesterday, the the TGA has approved the extension of the expiry date of Tamiflu capsules from 5 years to 7 years, following the lead of a number of countries throughout the world who have done the same. This extended shelf life applies only to ex factory stock, as all stock will have been fully compliant with the extended shelf life storage conditions.

You can read Roche's announcment in full here.

Poll: I have had a flu vaccine : 06/05/2009 :

In what is an almost entirely flu related (e)news today, let's keep the ball rolling and enquire as to the flu vaccination status of 'listers.

Please let us know whether you've had your flu vaccine this year in today's AusPharm poll below.

AusPharm CE: Peptic ulcer disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Helicobacter pylori and proton pump inhibitors : 05/05/2009 :

Our most recent AusPharm CE topic is a case study: Peptic ulcer disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Helicobacter pylori and proton pump inhibitors, and it's been put together for us by Jenny Casanova. Jenny is a Senior Clinical Pharmacist at the Repatriation General Hospital in Daw Park, Adelaide. We'll be publishing this activity on Thursday.

Click here to do this Continuing Education activity.

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

NPS RADAR May update : 05/05/2009 :

NPS has published an interim update between its usual April and August RADAR bulletins.

The update reviews a new PBS listing for teriparatide and two other products which are available from 1 May 2009.

• Teriparatide (Forteo) for severe osteoporosis
• Hydromorphone prolonged-release tablets (once-daily) (Jurnista) for chronic severe disabling pain not responding to non-opioid analgesics
• Lanthanum (Fosrenol) tablets for adults with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis

Post a comment to AusPharmList.

PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 05/05/2009 :

A great week for 15 tipsters who scored 8 wins. Well done to all as there were a few games that could have gone either way.  Susan Beasley from McCarthy's Pharmacy, Orange, NSW is the round winner ($50) just 1 point off the margin in Pies V Roos game. Congratulations Susan.
Craig Keating, Keating’s Pharmacy and Paul Hayward were 2nd & 3rd.  Overall there have been a couple of changes at the top of the ladder.  Robert Wood from Myrtleford Community Pharmacy is our new leader, close up and separated only by game margin is Chris Warne from Beaconsfield Pharmacy.  In 3rd is Thuy Trinh from Priceline Pharmacy Forest Hill.  Good luck for round 6!

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

RGH E-Bulletin: Premarin® and Premia Continuous® : 04/05/2009 :

"As of 1st June 2009 Premarin® (conjugated oestrogens) and Premia Continuous® (conjugated oestrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate) will no longer be available for subsidised supply through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) in Australia; however, both will continue to be available as a private prescription. The table below outlines oral oestrogen preparations (oestrogen as a sole ingredient) that are currently available in Australia and their approximate daily doses."

Click here to read the bulletin in full.

The E-Bulletin is archived and previous editions can be viewed on the AusPharm website here.

H1N1 flu update : 04/05/2009 :

Those of you who haven't already found an appropriate information leaflet on H1N1 to give customers might like to have a look at this one.

Late last week the Pharmacy Guild provided members with the following advice on the availability of H1NI flu related products.

• Orders placed with wholesalers for Tamiflu or Relenza would be filled within 3 working days.
• Orders placed with wholesalers for 'Normal' flu vaccines would be filled within 2 working days.
• Orders placed with wholesalers for masks would be filled with 5 working days (note variability in mask type and availability)
• Gloves, alcohol based anti-bacterial gels/ liquids/ wipes are available from wholesalers now

Thanks to the Guild for allowing us to pass this information on to 'listers.

Person controlled electronic health record by 2012? : 04/05/2009 :

Late last week the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission released a report focussing on e-health and the introduction of a ‘person-controlled electronic health record’

The report recommends that by 2012 every Australian should have a personal electronic health record which that person will own and have full control over. The electronic health record could be shared with nominated health care providers.

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

Poll: swine flu awareness / activity : 01/05/2009 :

The week's poll asked 'listers to tell as about the level of awareness / anxiety about swine flu among customers / patients in their pharmacy (department).

Fairly high it seems. Also, in watching the votes (n=108) come in over the last 48 hours there was a trend towards higher levels more recently. Click the graph for full size.

YouTube: How to sneeze : 01/05/2009 :

Need a refresher on how to sneeze? Click and learn.

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