Alarming health claims must not appear on complementary medicine: RACGP President Many of the items included on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s list of ‘permitted indications’ make unfounded and unscientific claims that could lead to patient harms, RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel writes for newsGP.
RACGP codeine resources now available The RACGP has created a range of clinical and professional resources – including an online information repository, prescribing guidelines and a 12-point opioid challenge – designed to help GPs throughout Australia address issues relating to the up-scheduling of over-the-counter codeine products.
New RACGP codeine resource now available The RACGP has created a new online repository to assist GPs in addressing issues relating to the 1 February up-scheduling of codeine.
RACGP flags reservations regarding TGA amendment bills The RACGP is concerned that a Therapeutic Goods Administration list of permitted indications includes numerous ‘traditional’ indications that encourage the pharmaceutical industry to evade products’ scientific proof of efficacy, endorse pseudoscience, and will mislead and confuse consumers.
Codeine up-scheduling may offer chances for patient education and holistic care Next year’s planned up-scheduling of over-the-counter codeine products may offer GPs a direct opportunity to provide patients with more holistic care to help address possible issues of addiction and misuse.
Side effects from transvaginal mesh: How GPs can help The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently banned the use of transvaginal mesh products for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
RACGP President says no need for further review of codeine restrictions RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel says the time for analysis of codeine up-scheduling is over and state governments’ statements on the issue are unhelpful when they lack evidence. ‘The evidence is clear: codeine is dangerous and the current situation is leading to very severe outcomes. One hundred codeine-related deaths per year is simply unacceptable, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg,’ Dr Seidel said.
GPs criticise Pharmacy Guild on codeine rescheduling Prominent GP Dr Evan Ackermann is critical of the Pharmacy Guild’s recent action of sending a letter to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt seeking to maintain over-the-counter access to codeine-based medications.