As the saying goes, ‘You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, and know when to fold ’em.’ Complementary medicines may also be called ‘traditional’ or ‘alternative’ medicines and include items such as vitamins, minerals, herbal products, aromatherapy and homoeopathic...

With the fast-approaching 30 September marking the end of the current CPD year, pharmacists should take stock of the progress of their CPD plans. Pharmacists should determine the CPD activities needed to complete the plan in order to satisfy...

Methaqualone was one of the most abused prescription drugs worldwide during the 1970s. Thankfully, the world woke up to its destructive capacity. Methaqualone was first synthesised in India in 1951, where it was originally formulated as an anti-malarial drug. As...

This evidence summary presents the best available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of a combination of antidepressants and benzodiazepines for adults with major depression compared to antidepressants only. For the full review, refer to Antidepressants plus benzodiazepines for...

Pharmacists play a vital role supporting patients with chronic pain. Around 1 in 5 Australians experience chronic pain; this rises to 1 in 3 for people over 65 years of age. The prevalence of self-reported chronic pain peaks at...

The CEO of Diabetes Australia, Professor Greg Johnson, recently called attention to the high numbers of Australians living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. In a statement, Professor Johnson highlighted the need for greater awareness of the disease, referencing a study...

Most people with clinically severe obesity live and die without the underlying disease having ever been treated, leading global expert in obesity, Professor John Dixon told PSA19 at the weekend. Pharmacists, like other health practitioners, accept that patients with diabetes...

Could selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) help reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and prevent decline from mild cognitive impairment? An estimated 10% of people over 65 years of age, and 30% of people over 85 years of age, have...

While most women experience primary dysmenorrheoa (period pain), a recent longitudinal study has revealed the extent of its impact on the academic, social and professional lives of young women.  The Australian retrospective study analysed data on dysmenorrheoa in women with...

Groundbreaking new research has found that current smokers are three times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD), but these risks greatly decrease among those who quit. Combining fast-acting nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can have a big impact...