A portent of what's around the corner? : 17/06/2008 :

As if the 4CPA Location Rules weren't complex enough, and as we approach the negotiating period for a Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement, the attached pic, taken by our eagle-eyed cub reporter, outside the Pharmacy Guild National Offices in Canberra may be a portent of what's around the corner - but by the truckfull !!!! Click the link to see full sized versions of the photos.

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

Pharmacy signs on for Join In Join Up : 17/06/2008 :

Join In Join Up is a new program that has the potential to connect Australians with community groups with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing.

It was formally launched yesterday by the Hon Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, at the Communities In Control Conference in Melbourne.

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

Guild launches 'flu education kit : 17/06/2008 :

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has launched a Seasonal Influenza Education Kit.

Distributed to Australian pharmacies last week, it aims to educate consumers and pharmacy staff about how they can prevent, limit and manage seasonal influenza

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

NAPSA rolls out Pharmacy Week : 17/06/2008 :

During May this year, Pharmacy Students from all over the country went out into their communities to promote the profession of pharmacy, and promote the many roles that pharmacists can play in health care.

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

Improved communication between professional groups : 17/06/2008 :

The Australian Pharmacy Liaison Forum (APLF) held its inaugural meeting in May 2008.

The APLF has been set up as an independent coalition of representatives from pharmacy organisations to work together on issues of national importance to the pharmacy profession and the public.

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

AusPharm Continuing Education: RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin CPD Digest : 17/06/2008 :

As a special treat for AusPharm 'basic' members we've republished the first 'pilot' edition of the RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin CPD Digest just for you.

The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin CPD Digest is a new way for busy pharmacists, doctors and nurses to access high quality continuing professional development materials in a convenient, inexpensive and reliable format. The Digest will be based around the RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin, which will continue to be distributed free of charge in the usual way. (Click here to read the RGH announcement in full.)

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

So what was the mystery object? : 16/06/2008 :

Last week we asked 'listers to identify the 'mystery' object at right (click the image to see a larger version).

What is it? Click the link to find out!

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

July 18 - patient medication shortages on the way? : 13/06/2008 :

As has been widely reported in recent days it seems that the Department of Health and Ageing never got around to enacting legislation requiring wholesale prices of F2T drugs to be available to pharmacies at the 'new' (lower) prices from July 18.

It is therefore possible that not all F2T drugs will be available to pharmacies at the 'new' prices from July 18. Further, in order to minimise financial loss, it is possible that wholesalers will minimise stock levels of some items leading up to August 1, possibly leading to out of stocks. The extent to which this will occur remains unclear and the extent of any impact on patients unable to obtain medications also remains unclear.

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

Identify this mystery object and win a prize : 13/06/2008 :

No, it's not a pessary mould.

A reminder that you've got until midnight tomorrow to get your entry in and win one of our AusPharm calculators. The prize will go to the person who sends in the most appropriate description of what this item is. Click here to submit your entry. (Photo courtesy Kevin de Vries).

If anyone else has any pharmacy artefacts they think might challenge the AusPharm community, send us a photo and we'll issue the challenge.

Prof. Charlie Benrimoj gets UK fellowship : 13/06/2008 :

Prominent pharmacy academic and NSW PSA president Professor Shalom (Charlie) Benrimoj, pictured at right, has been awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

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

Poll result: it's getting better all the time, isn't it? : 13/06/2008 :

This week's poll asked 'listers to help us get a sense of how positively (or otherwise) they view the 'future of pharmacy'. The results, shown at right, are not too far from the results we obtained last time we ran this identical poll in August 2004.

While pharmacists exhibit a range of expectations as to the future, our interpretation is that the collective outlook is to the negative side of neutral, as it was in a similar poll we ran in 2006.

Plan for National Primary Health Care Strategy announced : 13/06/2008 :

In a speech to the Australian General Practice Network Primary Mental Health Care Forum on Wednesday, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon, pictured at right, outlined the Federal Government’s intention to develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy to better utilise the professional skills of a range of allied health professions.

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

GSK, American Dietetic association go after unproven weight loss products : 12/06/2008 :

Drug company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) together with the American Dietetic Association and a number of obesity organizations has filed a the petition with US regulators that aims to eliminate the weight loss category from the dietary supplement market.

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

Local stoush on glucosamine gets a run in the BMJ : 12/06/2008 :

'Listers will have read our recent coverage of the CHOICE v Symbion stoush on glucosamine. Those interested (and who have BMJ access) can read a write up of this issue in last week's BMJ (here). The first part of the article is available to non BMJ subscribers.

AACP Pfizer Consultant Pharmacist Award 2008 : 11/06/2008 :

Debbie Rigby is the recipient of the inaugural AACP Pfizer Consultant Pharmacist of the Year award. A medal and certificate were presented to Debbie at the recent AACP ConPharm '08 clinical seminar in Adelaide by Susan Parker, Head of Medical Affairs at Pfizer Australia and Dr Shane Jackson, Chair of the AACP Board.

In announcing the award, Dr Jackson highlighted Debbie Rigby's significant contribution and close involvement as one of the true pioneers of consultant pharmacy.

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

Dose paracetamol in children according to lean body weight : 11/06/2008 :

So says Dr Sean Beggs, General Paediatrician and Paediatric Clinical Pharmacologist from Royal Hobart Hospital, in the current issue of Australian Prescriber.

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

PSA Branch Committee election results : 10/06/2008 :

Election results have now been confirmed for the Tasmanian, Queensland and South Australian branches of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

Elected members will serve for three years.

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

The Pharmacy Dream Team : 10/06/2008 :

Last week we asked 'listers to put their minds to who might be in a pharmacy 'Team of the century' or 'Dream Team'. By the end of the week we had quite few entries in and we've done the best we can in putting together a final 11, as was our charter!

The clear preference for team captain was Professor Lloyd Sansom 'knowledgeable and rational'.

The final 11 is shown below with comments from those nominating them appended below. Thanks to everyone who submitted nominations.

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

NSW pharmacists in Queen's Birthday honours list : 10/06/2008 :

Two NSW pharmacists were present in the Queen's Birthday honours list announced yesterday.

Receiving an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) is Ken BICKLE for "Service to the pharmacy profession through executive roles with a range of organisations, and to the community as a supporter of the Return Unwanted Medicines Program." In more recent times Ken has been active in Pharmacy Cricket circles - he's pictured at right at the 2006 Pharmacy Cricket carnival with NSW captain David Sidgreaves (click the photo to see a larger version).

Receiving an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) is Valerie AUSTIN, of Walgett for "Service to the pharmacy profession, particularly as an initiator of programs to improve indigenous health care."

HMR payment increased : 09/06/2008 :

The standard payment for a Home Medicines Review has been increased from $180 to $187.09 (inc gst).

The increase is a result of the annual indexation adjustment to allow for movements in wage costs. At present these adjustments apply only to HMRs, not to RMMRs (Residential Medication Management Reviews). AusPharm understands that this is currently under review.

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