Pharmacists Encouraged to Participate in Survey on Professional Services

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has launched a major survey seeking to gather information to help it position the profession for the delivery of more evidence-based professional services in the future.

Experts Explain Why Worm Infections Can Help Treat Autoimmune Diseases

[caption id="attachment_8906" align="alignright" width="138"] The peptide from parasitic worms called AcK1 was shown to dampen the immune system[/caption]

ANMF says No Deal on any Co-payments

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) says nurses and midwives won’t agree to any co-payments for GP visits or other services - our healthcare system is for everyone.

New Medical Training Facility at Wagga Wagga Rural Clinical School

[caption id="attachment_8888" align="alignright" width="200"] Wagga Wagga Rural Clinical School[/caption]

National Heart Foundation Calls for a Coordinated Approach to Manage Heart Failure

Too many Australians are suffering and dying from chronic heart failure due to a disjointed national approach to managing the debilitating condition, according to the Heart Foundation.

Pharmacists must not let standards slip

A disturbing statistic has emerged from an audit of the National Return of Unused Medicines (NatRUM) which indicates pharmacists may be letting their standards slip in some very important areas involving patient safety.

The Queensland Plan Puts Spotlight on Health Prevention

The Heart Foundation has applauded the release of the Queensland Plan, by Premier Newman, on its aim for Queensland to be the leader on health prevention in Australia.

Pharmacist Guide to Cultural Responsiveness with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

A guide to cultural responsiveness with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People has been published to ensure  pharmacists and pharmacy staff are aware of the health beliefs, practices, culture and linguistic needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

Pharmacists Invited to Assist with Review of Competency Standards

The Pharmacy Practitioner Development Committee (PPDC) is commencing a review of the Australian pharmacy profession’s competency standards.

Surgeons Concerned by Reports of Out-of-pocket Costs Incurred by Patients

Hepatitis Report Card Released for World Hepatitis Day

A Hepatitis Report Card released for World Hepatitis Day today shows 250,000 Australians with untreated hepatitis B or C are aged over 40 years and have reached the critical age-point where liver scarring accelerates and the risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure dramatically increases.

Rise in Diagnostic Imaging Tests Ordered by GPs

[caption id="attachment_5130" align="alignright" width="200"] Head x-ray, brain in MRI[/caption]

Australian Smoking Rates at Record Lows

New data showing a record fall in smoking rates confirms that Australia is on track to achieve major reductions in smoking-related diseases, Cancer Council Australia said today.

NHMRC Advanced Health Research Translation Centre Submissions Open

[caption id="attachment_8246" align="alignright" width="133"] Professor Warwick Anderson[/caption]

Study Highlights Increasing Risks of Opioid Misuse

The need to fast track real-time prescription reporting for some drugs has been given renewed impetus in a study highlighting the increasing risks of opioid misuse. The study, “An overview of the patterns of prescription opioid use, costs and related harms in Australia”, published in the June edition of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, finds that between 1992 and 2012, opioid dispensing increased 15-fold (500,000 to 7.5 million) and the corresponding cost to the Australian government increased 32-fold ($8.5 million to $271 million).