Extension to subsidised SMS e-scripts ‘needs long-term plan’ The SMS fees will continue to be reimbursed until September, but some GPs are concerned about the uncertainty once the current extension expires.
Semaglutide shortage prompts caution around off-label prescribing GPs are being asked to prioritise the drug for people with diabetes, but with supplies critically low, what are the alternatives?
Doctors respond to leaked pharmacy UTI report A leaked evaluation of the Queensland UTI prescribing pilot reportedly indicates nearly two thirds of participants were not followed up.
Queensland Health and Pharmacy Guild stonewall queries about UTI pilot evaluation Mystery and confusion surround who has seen the report, when it was completed and if the full results will ever be publicly released.
Australian antibiotic prescriptions drop 38% during pandemic Researchers suggest the drop is due to a combination of social distancing measures, as well as significantly fewer GPs prescribing the drugs.
‘Significant concerns’: PSR the latest to question pharmacy prescribing pilot A lack of independent oversight and the bypassing of Commonwealth legislation have been highlighted as threats to patient safety.
Connecting GPs with community: RACGP–parkrun partnership The new parkrun practice initiative aims to promote social prescribing by strengthening links between practices and their community.
Findings from PHN audit to remain confidential An audit into the North Queensland Primary Health Network will investigate potential conflicts of interest at the board level, but the findings are not expected to be released publicly.
‘Tip of the iceberg’: GPs highlight pharmacy UTI prescribing incidents One instance involves a patient allegedly being incorrectly diagnosed with a UTI when she had a 15-centimetre pelvic mass.
Image-based prescribing has ‘served its purpose’ for general practice The service is due to end on 31 March, answering the RACGP’s calls. But hospital settings have secured an extension until March 2023.