Insights

Steroids and hormone therapies – Off label use or misuse/abuse?

Pharmacists are expected to have a contemporary knowledge of the drugs that are subject to abuse or misuse, both generally and in their own localities. Steroids and hormone therapies are one of many groups of medications that are the subject of abuse/misuse. Many individuals source anabolic steroids illicitly from coaches, friends, teammates, gym employees, relatives […]

How can you tell if you have been given a forged prescription and what to do if you have

Pharmacists are expected to take reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that a prescription has been issued by an authorised prescriber. Prescriptions for Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 medicines subject to abuse, such as such benzodiazepines and opioids, are most likely to be forged. However pharmacists should also consider other medications such as anabolic steroids which […]

What are pharmacists’ obligations when supplying pseudoephedrine?

Pseudoephedrine (‘PSE’) is indicated for the relief of congestion associated with conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis and the common cold.[1] However, in recent decades, it has been targeted for non-therapeutic purposes, such as for the manufacture of illicit drugs. Meridian Lawyers has recently assisted pharmacists to respond to notifications that were referred to the Australian […]

Medication Misadventure – Methotrexate: A reminder to pharmacists to exercise independent judgment about the safety of a prescribed medicine.

This article was originally published as a PDL Practice Alert. It was written by Scott Ames, Principal and PDL Professional Officers, John Guy and Gary West. A recent inquest into the death of an elderly patient in Victoria [1] has put a spotlight on a pharmacist’s duty to exercise independent judgement when dispensing medication.   Background On 29 […]

Changes to Medicare Benefits Schedule Items for Spinal X-Ray Services – Why, how and what now?

On 1 November 2017 changes took effect that impact on rights of chiropractors practitioners to request spinal x-rays. The Medicare Taskforce With the view to improving health outcomes for patients, the Commonwealth Government established the Medicare Taskforce (Taskforce) in April 2015 to consider how more than 5,700 items on the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) aligned […]

Vets must be vigilant to avoid legal action

An increasingly litigious society and ever-greater humanisation of pets means vets must be vigilant to avoid legal action. This article was written by Chris Sheedy and republished with permission from Vet Practice Magazine, June 2017. Whether a vet’s patient is a million-dollar racehorse, a $250,000 stud bull, a $100,000 exotic bird or a $25 pet dog, […]

What does mandatory reporting mean for early child care workers?

Vital role of early childcare workers recognised by law reform – ‘Mason’s Law’: Changes to the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) reflect the vital role workers in the early childhood sector play in the health and wellbeing of Queensland’s children. These changes will take effect on 1 July 2017. Early childhood carers and educators are […]

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