Clinical
Censure over experimental use of drug
A practitioner has been found guilty of professional misconduct for prescribing S8 drug ketamine to treat depression – though it is not approved for use in this context The Health …
New antiepileptic now available on PBS
An antiepileptic add-on treatment that has been shown to be effective without the need to titrate for tolerability is now available on the PBS Briviact (brivaracetam) is an add-on therapy …
Pharmacist prescribing by 2020? What you need to know
Are pharmacists too overworked and underpaid to prescribe? What would pharmacist prescribing even look like? Dr Shane Jackson and Professor Lisa Nissen answer your questions Following PSA national president Dr …
How much caffeine is too much?
New observational research may provide further impetus for expectant mums to limit caffeine intake In a prospective cohort study of 50,943 mothers and their children recruited from 2002 to 2008, …
Schedule change proposed for ED drug
New proposal put forward for Pharmacist-Only sildenafil category The TGA’s Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling is set to again review the possibility of creating an S3 category for sildenafil (Viagra). There …
New treatment for psoriasis
A new therapy has approved by the TGA for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis Tremfya (guselkumab) is the first biologic approved in Australia that selectively blocks …
Little role for sedating antihistamines: Experts
Newer, less sedating forms can be safely taken long term with no loss of efficacy, according to latest evidence In a new article for Australian Prescriber, immunology experts have concluded …
Blockbuster alert
Nine new blockbuster drugs headed our way soon: report A series of new ‘blockbuster’ drugs are expected to hit Australian shores in the next 12-24 months, a new report claims. …
Fast sepsis detection on the horizon
Scientists have designed a simple test that can detect sepsis from a single drop of blood Sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s extreme response to severe infection damages …
TGA issues medicines safety update
Pharmacists have been reminded that first-generation oral sedating antihistamines are not approved for use in kids under two Following a coronial hearing of a fatal case involving a 74-day-old infant …
Drugs’ hidden side effects
One in four drugs with human targets has been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the gut, causing antibiotic-like side effects A research team from the European Molecular …
The dispensing dilemma
Pharmacy should think carefully before devolving its primary dispensing role, experts warn While the current trend is for pharmacy’s clinical role and responsibilities to expand, we should be careful before …