When medication charting involves a pharmacist as well as a doctor, medication error rates in hospital admissions are significantly reduced, according to a new study.1 Researchers from Monash University’s Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS) at the Monash Institute...

In a move aimed at reducing antibiotic resistance, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended that four of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in Australia have the default repeat options removed. Amoxycillin, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, cephalexin and roxithromycin are the...

The National Asthma Council has highlighted the vital role community pharmacists can play in identifying at-risk patients, following a drop in overall asthma deaths since 2016.  Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released last month show there were 389 asthma-related deaths...

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is the most commonly inherited neuromuscular disorder, affecting almost 10,000 Australians.

In a landscape of increasing opportunities for pharmacists, last week PSA launched its foundation stage training program for those wanting to work as a general practice pharmacist.1 Are you looking for the next step in your career? Discover the rewards...

Pharmacists can advise patients and demonstrate the use of emollients for the treatment of dry skin. A consensus statement on the management of dry skin acknowledges community pharmacists are well placed to provide support for people with dry skin conditions.1...

This evidence summary presents the best available evidence regarding pregabalin add-on for drug-resistant focal epilepsy.1 Introduction Approximately 3–3.5% of Australians will experience epilepsy at some point in their lives. This adds up to over 250,000 Australians being diagnosed with epilepsy. Epilepsy...

Recalls of more ranitidine products are expected to continue this week after preliminary tests found low levels of nitrosamines in the medicines. A spokesperson from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) told Australian Pharmacist today that initial testing of ranitidine medicines...

The popularisation of meprobamate from the 1950s onwards ushered in the dawn of the psychopharmacological era where patients began to look to doctors to ease their daily struggles. Meprobamate, marketed in the USA as Miltown, was the first anxiolytic to...

Pharmacists play a referring role in supporting patients with dry eye. Dry eye is a common problem, increasing in older age. Most cases are mild, and treatable with topical lubricants and minimising precipitants. However, without clinical investigation it may be...