Painful Truths : 24/06/2012 :

As part of National Pain Week – 22-28 July 2012, Chronic Pain Australia is hosting a specialised ‘pain treatment and management’ workshop – ‘Painful Truths’, for primary healthcare providers working with people with pain. It is being held on July 25, 2012 in The Theatre, Parliament House, Canberra ACT.

It is designed to accommodate all primary care providers including, but not limited to pharmacists, GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, nurses, podiatrists, exercise physiologists, social workers, rehabilitation counsellors – there are no exclusions.

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Diabetes: Tighter Control of Blood Sugar Prevents Nerve Condition, But At What Risk? : 22/06/2012 :

Aggressive control of blood sugar levels in diabetes can help to prevent diabetic neuropathy, according to a new systematic review in The Cochrane Library. However, the review suggests that optimal target levels need to be established to prevent complications.

Up to half of people with diabetes develop diabetic neuropathy, which affects nerves in the feet and legs, making them feel tingly, numb, painful or weak. It is possible to prevent neuropathy by strict control of blood sugar levels through a number of ways including different insulin regimens and diet modification, but evidence for the effects of this approach, known as enhanced glucose control, has not been systematically reviewed until now.

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Free online tool shows impact of alcohol on individual wellbeing : 22/06/2012 :

The Victorian Department of Health has launched a new free online tool called "Say When", to help individuals assess the impact of their personal alcohol consumption on health and wellbeing.

The tool has been developed in response to the findings of a 2012 online poll (1071 respondents) that most Australians vastly underestimate how much alcohol is too much. In addition to the self-assessment tool, the related website provides guidance on reducing drinking and motivational aids to help with this.

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That really will take only 5 minutes or so : 22/06/2012 :

This week's AusPharm poll asked 'listers how long people typically have to wait for a prescription in their pharmacies.

Exactly half of the respondents told us '5 minutes or so' with another third nominating '10 minutes or so'.

In only 11% of pharmacies is a significant wait likely, according to 'listers.

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NPS launches headache program : 22/06/2012 :

NPS has launched a new therapeutic program on headache, called Headaches: Safe diagnosis, effective management.

The program, aimed at doctors, looks at the importance of a comprehensive history and targeted physical examination in accurately diagnosing headache. It provides information about managing and preventing headache.

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TGA responds on DiGesic, Doloxene : 22/06/2012 :

Following this week's decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal decided to refer the cancellation decision for Di-Gesic and Doloxene back to the TGA for reconsideration, TGA says it will be able to deliver a new decision by 15 August 2012.

In the meantime TGA is urging doctors and patients to carefully consider the warnings and contraindications contained in the Product Information and Consumer Medicines Information documents for Di-Gesic and Doloxene before prescribing or taking these medicines.

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Health report card shows a nation where most are healthy, but lifestyle challenges ahead : 21/06/2012 :

Australians are generally healthy, with the majority feeling positive about their quality of life, according to the latest national report card on health released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

However, according to the report,  Australia’s Health 2012, most Australians also have at least one health risk factor that is likely to contribute to poorer future health.

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Opportunity for rural pharmacists at PAC12 : 21/06/2012 :

Pharmacists travelling from some rural and remote areas to attend PAC12 may be eligible to claim travel and accommodation expenses under the provisions of the Rural and Remote Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) Allowance, part of the Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program.
 
Pharmacists who work and reside in rural and remote areas classified as PhARIA 2-6 are eligible and the event must be an accredited Group 2 activity. Applications for allowances must be accompanied by a completed record of expenditure within two calendar months of completion of the activity.

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NPS launches antibiotic reminder iPhone app : 21/06/2012 :

NPS has launched a new free app for iPhone and iPad designed to help people take their antibiotics correctly and help prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.

The new ‘Antibiotics Reminder’ app allows people to set reminders for each dose of antibiotics, track whether doses are taken correctly and record progress in a daily recovery diary.

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Clinical pharmacist medicine reviews funded in new public hospital funding system : 21/06/2012 :

An in hospital clinical pharmacist medicine review has been funded under the new Activity Based Funding (ABF) system under which public hospitals are now funded. Each attendance at clinic 40.4 Clinical Pharmacy will attract a ‘usual’ payment of $233.67 reflecting the pharmacist time and expertise required to deliver this level of service.

SHPA President Sue Kirsa welcomed the release of the ABF system. “SHPA is pleased that the services offered by clinical pharmacists to outpatients in public hospitals has been acknowledged through the national funding system and that the price weight reflects the complexity of the service offered,” said Ms Kirsa.

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AusPharm CE: Discontinuation of medications - Deprescribing : 21/06/2012 :

The next AusPharm CE topic for 2012 is Discontinuation of medications - Deprescribing - it's been put together for us by Debbie Rigby.

"Deprescribing or ceasing unnecessary or harmful medications is an important component of quality use of medicines. An individual approach is needed taking into account the best available evidence, balancing the benefits and risks, patient’s signs and symptoms as well as the patient’s preferences."

This activity has been accredited for 1.5 group 2 CPD credits suitable for inclusion in an individual pharmacist’s CPD plan. Accreditation number: CX120022I.

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.

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Role of Omega-3 in Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older People Questioned : 20/06/2012 :

Older people who take omega-3 fish oil supplements are probably not reducing their chances of losing cognitive function, according to a new Cochrane systematic review. Based on the available data from studies lasting up to 3.5 years, the researchers concluded that the supplements offered no benefits for cognitive health over placebo capsules or margarines, but that longer term effects are worth investigating.

The three major omega-3 fats are: alpha linolenic acid (ALA) from sources such as nuts and seeds and eicosapentoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from sources including oily fish such as salmon and mackerel.

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TWC gets FeelGood : 20/06/2012 :

Terry White Chemists has secured the intellectual property assets of FeelGood Guide Pty Ltd, to support a planned health solutions rollout to its network of pharmacies.

The FeelGood company went under early in 2012 with FeelGood's Peter Lusted saying at the time that he blamed the company's demise on delays in projects that were expected to come online and also on its inability to secure a group partner capable of integrating its system within one of its member groups.

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Grants Now Available to Support DonateLife Week 2013 : 20/06/2012 :

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, announced last Friday the availability of $533,000 in Community Awareness Grants to support community-based activities held during DonateLife Week 2013.

DonateLife Week is the national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation coordinated by the Organ and Tissue Authority as part of the Australian Government’s national reform agenda to increase organ and tissue donation for transplantation. It aims to encourage Australians to discover the facts about organ and tissue donation, make and register their donation decision and discuss and know the donation wishes of their loved ones.

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PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 20/06/2012 :

Round 12 of the 2012 AFL season commenced with a thunderous Thursday night blockbuster at Paterson's Stadium between the Blues and the Eagles, the Blues fought hard however they went down to the Eagles by 10 points.

Round 15 of the 2012 NRL Season commenced with the Bulldogs and the Dragons, in an intense game it was the Bulldogs that were victorious 28-20 at WIN Stadium.

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Poll: that'll just be a few minutes : 20/06/2012 :

A recent article on doctor website 6 minutes suggested that some people were put off seeing their GP because they have to wait too long.

Are consumers put off getting their scripts dispensed for the same reason? How long do people usually have to wait for their scripts in your pharmacy? 

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July 1 PBS schedule : 19/06/2012 :

The July PBS Schedule is now available

Download the Full PBS schedule

Download the PBS Summary of changes

Download the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy – S100 Arrangements Supplement

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IMS Health-College Young Pharmacist Innovation Grant : 19/06/2012 :

Mr Trent Twomey, President of the Australian College of Pharmacy announced last week that applications are now being received for the 2012 IMS Health-College Young Pharmacist Innovation Grant.

This initiative aims to support innovative young pharmacists to attend the FIP Congress. Previous winner of the grant include Georgina Twomey, Jana Fulcher, Rowan Lowe and Sarah Sinclair.

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More older clients receiving pharmacotherapy treatment for opioid dependence : 19/06/2012 :

Australians receiving pharmacotherapy treatment for opioid dependence are getting older, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report, National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data collection: 2011, presents information on the use of certain medications used to treat opioid dependence in Australia.

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Glitch posting from mobile : 19/06/2012 :

Just as we thought we'd got it all right.....

We seem to have had a problem with posts initiated from the mobile version of the (e)news disappearing into cyberspace. 

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