Fear of ‘perfect storm’ with opioid prescribing and terminally ill patients A prominent academic wants to alleviate GPs’ concerns about potential professional repercussions – and prevent them from leaving palliative care.
Antidepressants, opioids more than double falls risk in older people Practitioners need to weigh up the risks and benefits of these medications, expert says.
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?
How one US doctor made a change to help tackle America’s opioid crisis When this emergency doctor was unable to help a patient experiencing addiction, he looked deeper.
GPs call for action on real-time prescription monitoring in NSW The RACGP believes the state’s inaction is placing lives at risk.
RACGP President raises concerns after palliative care GP targeted in opioid crackdown Dr Harry Nespolon has called for a rethink on the DoH’s campaign on opioid prescriptions, warning palliative care patients may be at risk of not getting adequate pain relief.
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.
How can GPs best approach patients dependent on opioids? Showing empathy is vital for all patients with opioid dependence – even if they are seeking drugs.
Hospital pharmacists raise the alarm over post-surgery opioid prescriptions More than 70% of Australian hospitals send patients home with strong opioids ‘just in case’, according to a new report.