Old doc, new drugs: Levetiracetam GP Dr Casey Parker writes for newsGP about how levetiracetam fares as an alternative to phenytoin.
NSW push for real-time monitoring to reduce prescription drug misuse The NSW opposition has announced plans for a real-time prescription monitoring system in an effort to curb growing opioid deaths, but the State Government is clear in its belief that a national approach is needed.
Hope for ice users as researchers trial new medicine to treat addiction In a world-first, Australian researchers are trialling a new medication to help people who are dependent on crystal methamphetamine, or ‘ice’.
SA Aboriginal drug rehabilitation service under threat after funding cuts The Federal Government will no longer provide the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council the $700,000 a year it needs to operate. Chief Executive Scott Wilson told newsGP the cuts will force the closure of all services.
Drug testing will stigmatise welfare recipients, says GP A Federal Government push to trial drug testing welfare recipients is an ‘expensive blunt instrument’ that will stigmatise people, Sydney addiction medicine specialist Dr Hester Wilson told newsGP.
Sharp rise in number of Australians accessing treatment for amphetamine use Treatment for amphetamine use has more than doubled in Australia over the last decade, a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found.
Chief Medical Officer warns on spread of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea With two cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea recently detected, the Federal Government has released a health alert and information to assist healthcare professionals identify and prevent spreading of the disease.
Age of opioid pharmacotherapy patients increasing, report says The median age of opioid pharmacotherapy patients is increasing, according to a recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report.
Approaching drug use as a health issue, rather than a criminal one GP Dr Ines Rio talks to newsGP about a Victorian Government report on drug law reform that recommends a health-based framework – and whether it represents a positive step forward.