[caption id="attachment_7936" align="alignright" width="162"] Dr Michelle McIntosh will use the new facility for her Inhaled Oxytocin project. Image from Monash University[/caption] A landmark grant will be used to build a world-class and Australian-first translational pharmaceutical science laboratory at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Melbourne. Directly supporting capacity building, skills growth and education development, the new Translational Research Lab has been made possible by a $1.2 million grant from the Helen Macherson Smith Trust (HMSTrust), $1.1 million of in-kind contributions from industry partners PerkinElmer and Shimadzu and a further $350,000 contribution from the McCallMcBain Foundation to build state of the art facilities at the precinct. [ + ]

Health workers are being given tools to support the reduction of alcohol and drug use within Indigenous communities with  the establishment of a new national information service, the Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre . The new Indigenous health service was launched by Chair of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC), Associate Professor Ted Wilkes, at the 3rd National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Conference (NIDAC) in Melbourne.  [ + ]

The Queensland Health Budget for 2014-15 has seen an increase of 6.4 per cent to $13.6 billion. [ + ]

Prostate cancer survival in NSW has improved over the last 20 years but the gap between rural and city patient’s remains, with survival differing significantly based on an individual’s postcode. [ + ]

Building clinical nursing research capacity has been the focus for Professor Wendy Chaboyer, recipient of the Griffith University Vice Chancellor’s Research Leadership Excellence Award. [ + ]

Kidney Health Australia has released a new report on kidney disease in Australia, and  announced a pharmacy program to help those at increased risk identify the disease early. [ + ]

The management of common health conditions varies considerably depending upon where people live, according to new paper Exploring Healthcare Variation in Australia, released  by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). [ + ]

World-first, cutting-edge laser technology being used by Queensland researchers will revolutionise the detection and treatment of skin cancer, saving lives and cutting treatment costs. Science Minister Ian Walker said the laser imaging system developed by researchers at the University of Queensland’s School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering and the University of Leeds, would help deliver on the Government’s election promise to revitalise frontline health services. [ + ]

Medical professionals remain the source for Australians and their loved ones to access information about palliative care, according to a new Palliative Care Australia survey. [ + ]

With self funding of higher-cost medicines becoming more common in Australia, leading health authorities are calling for public discussion on the issue. [ + ]

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Residential aged care providers are now required to publish the maximum accommodation prices they will charge from 1 July, making it easier for consumers to make informed choices. [ + ]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Leaders from across Australia say the co-payment is against the principles of health equity outlined in the Statement of Intent to Close the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes. [ + ]

Aged Care bodies have reacted to the 2014 Budget Announcements, citing both positive and negative outcomes. [ + ]

NPS MedicineWise has welcomed the ABC’s ruling including the move to put a note on the Catalyst website which will reinforce that viewers should not make any changes to their prescribed regimen of medications without seeking appropriate medical advice. [ + ]