TGA releases improved patient information Updates to the Consumer Medicines Information are aimed at improving patient understanding and safety of medicine use.
Study shows rapid rise in early screen time The trend has prompted calls for health professionals to warn parents about what’s been described as a ‘sponge on development’.
Reducing value disparity in the MBS The RACGP has reiterated its support for time-tiered items for other medical specialists, and the simplification of case conferencing items.
Australia first in worldwide prescription opioid use A global survey found half of Australian users also got ‘high’ from opioids at least once last year, but does this tell the whole story?
Victoria adopts real-time prescription monitoring across the state The state-wide rollout of the SafeScript system is expected reduce the risk of overdose deaths for thousands of patients.
GPs call for action on real-time prescription monitoring in NSW The RACGP believes the state’s inaction is placing lives at risk.
No increase in opioids since up-scheduling, but pharmacists disagree A three-year study by Monash Addiction Research Centre has found no increase in opioid scripts since codeine was up-scheduled.
Why has a national real-time prescription monitoring system been delayed? Greg Hunt promised an Australia-wide system by the end of 2018, but most states have been slow to come to the table.
MBS review recommends time-tiered billing for specialists The taskforce investigating how doctors bill Medicare made the recommendations following RACGP calls for parity.
Thousands identified by new prescription monitoring system SafeScript has helped detect more than 3300 Victorian doctor-shoppers in its first two months.