New parents unintentionally placing their babies at risk of SIDS
Many new parents are unknowingly placing their babies at risk of SIDS, according to new research released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on August 15, 2016. The researchers examined video recordings of parents putting their babies to sleep, rather than relying on parental self-reported surveys or police reports post-mortem. More than 160 infants were…
Government to list plethora of treatments for Type 2 diabetes & cervical cancer on PBS from September 1, 2016 – August 22, 2016
On August 14, 2016, Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP announced up to 20,000 Australians living with Type 2 diabetes would find it easier and cheaper to access treatments with the Government’s listing of AUD $70 million in new therapies on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from September 1, 2016. A new, once-a-week…
What does the King Review mean for Pharmacy in Australia – August 5, 2016
Following the release of a discussion paper dubbed the “King Review” (as the Productivity Commission’s, Stephen King headed the review panel), which has been developed to review pharmacy remuneration and regulation procedures, discussions have opened up this week around what the review recommends and how this can impact pharmacy. The Federal Government and the Pharmacy…
BREAKING NEWS: Chemmart & Terry White Merger anticipated end of October – August 4, 2016
This morning (August 4, 2016), EBOS Group Limited announced plans to merge its Chemmart business with the Terry White Group businesses, in order to create one of Australia’s largest retail pharmacy groups. In an EBOS investor release published today (August 4, 2016), the wholesaler announced the merge of Chemmart with Terry White would equate to…
Australia’s only locally manufactured QIV now TGA approved – August 2, 2016
Australia’s only locally manufactured, quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (QIV) received Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval on July 15, 2016. Afluria Quad™, Seqirus’ four-strain, inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine, is indicated for people aged 18 years and older.1 The new quadrivalent vaccine will replace the company’s trivalent vaccine (TIV), Fluvax® for the 2017 flu season. Manufactured by…
VIVA! Communications & GLOBALHealthPR pledge their support for World Hepatitis Day – July 28, 2016
VIVA! Communications and GLOBALHealthPR are proud to announce their official support for World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2016, joining a plethora of organisations that are fighting to ELIMINATE chronic Hepatitis C. World Hepatitis Day unites people from all walks of life to raise awareness of the substantial global burden of viral hepatitis and to provoke…
Researchers develop vaccine targeting abnormal proteins that trigger Alzheimer’s – July 16, 2016
A vaccine to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease is a step closer following a breakthrough development that successfully targets the abnormal proteins that trigger the disease. In what is being hailed as the first vaccine of its kind, Flinders University, Adelaide and US researchers contend the vaccine could be used to prevent Alzheimer’s, and…
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…