VIC pharmacies now permitted to administer flu shots – July 7, 2016
Victoria has fallen into line with the rest of Australia, permitting community pharmacies to administer flu shots. In May, 2016, the Victorian branches of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, publicly welcomed the Victorian Government’s approval for National Immunisation Program (NIP)-funded flu vaccines to be administered in pharmacy. A…
TGA video warns of risks associated with buying medicine online – July 5, 2016
A new, no-nonsense, 90-second cartoon developed by Australian medication regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), warns consumers to avoid risks associated with purchasing medications or medical devices online. The cartoon features animated “baddies” wearing masks and balaclavas, to demonstrate that not all medications available for purchase online, are legally manufactured, contain the correct dose of…
West Australian expert urges TGA to make codeine a prescription only treatment – July 5, 2016
As the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) considers the scheduling of pain-killing medication, codeine, Professor Stephan Schug, Director of Pain Medicine at Royal Perth Hospital and Chair of Anaesthesiology, University of Western Australia, has urged the regulator to make the medication prescription-only. Prof Schug argues codeine is a poor pain management therapy when used on its…
Life-saving drug now available to Australian infants living with HT-1 – June 30, 2016
Australian infants and children living with a rare, inherited genetic disease known as Hereditary Tyrosinaemia Type 1 (HT-1) are now eligible to receive the life-saving treatment, Orfadin (insert chemical compound) under the Life Savings Drug Program (LSDP). In newborns living with the rare, genetic metabolic disorder, the baby lacks the ability to break down the…
Helen, 66 Church co-ordinator, retired teacher & active mother living with brittle bones, SYDNEY
When celebrating her 50th birthday, Helen, 66, Sydney, underwent a bone mineral density test. Given her strong family history of osteoporosis – Helen’s two sisters have been diagnosed with the disease – she was determined to take every precaution possible to protect against the debilitating bone disease. Fortunately for Helen, this initial test identified no…
Fiona, 36 Active wife & mother-to-five boys who fractured four vertebrae while hiking in New Zealand, ADELAIDE
Mother-to-five boys, Fiona, 36, Adelaide, fractured four vertebrae from a fall while hiking in New Zealand on February 1, 2016 – a day after her wedding. As a result of her severe spinal injury, doctors arranged for Fiona to undergo a bone mineral density scan, which led to a subsequent diagnosis of osteoporosis. Notably, Fiona…
Carole, 62 Retired business consultant who sustained multiple bone fractures, Glenning Valley, CENTRAL COAST NSW
Retired business consultant, Carole, 62, Glenning Valley, Central Coast NSW, was diagnosed with osteopenia – a precursor to osteoporosis or brittle bones – in 2004, just after her 50th birthday. The news came as a huge shock to Carole, who had long subscribed to a healthy diet and exercise. Carole has since sustained multiple bone…
Carole, 62 Retired nurse, manager & active mother who sustained four bone fractures & is concerned about further fracture, CANBERRA
Since June 2015, retired nurse, government manager and active mother-to-two, Carole, 62, Canberra, has sustained four fractures and is concerned about a future riddled with ongoing broken bones. Carole endured her first fracture in June last year, when she tripped over a step and broke her arm and leg. She was subsequently immobilised for three…
Annarosa, 54 Published author, wife & keen walker living with osteoporosis, SYDNEY
In September 2010, published author, wife and keen walker, Annarosa, 54, Sydney, was on an early Sunday morning walk in Balmain, when she tripped over her bootlaces and landed heavily on her wrist. Soon after, she visited hospital emergency, where she underwent an X-ray that confirmed a fractured wrist. A few days later, Annarosa returned…
Don’t be bone idle – Experts launch assessment tool to help curb bone fractures – June 16, 2016
New figures reveal a bone break every 3.4 minutes due to poor bone health An Australian-first bone health self-assessment tool designed to help consumers understand their bone fracture risk, is now available to all adults, including the 7.5 million Australians living with brittle bones.1 The ‘Know Your Bones’ online tool – an inaugural Garvan Institute…