What the TGA’s recent opioid changes mean for GPs Adjunct Professor John Skerritt of the Therapeutic Goods Administration outlines why the regulator is making changes to opioid indications and pack sizes.
Wastewater reveals record high drug consumption New Australian data shows a spike in overall drug use at the height of the pandemic, but opioid use is down.
Changes made to recent opioid reforms Annual secondary review requirements have been relaxed, easing access concerns for palliative care patients.
Can pain self-management avoid the need for opioids? A new education package is aimed at giving GPs the ability to treat chronic pain without opioids.
Overdose toll still worse than the road toll: report More than 2000 Australians died from drug overdoses in 2018, according to a report released on International Overdose Awareness Day.
Pharmacists to add warning labels to opioids The labels will advise patients of the risk of overdose and dependence associated with the potentially dangerous medications.
GPs blindsided by major changes to opioid pack sizes Angst and confusion have marred the introduction of welcome changes to opioid prescribing, GPs say.
Opioid pack sizes halved, new annual checks for patients Doctors will have more oversight over potent but addictive opioid-based medications.
Take-home naloxone ‘saves lives’ Currently in a pilot phase across three states, naloxone would be more effective if further patient education was provided, one expert says.
Listen, assess, encourage, support: Requests for drugs of dependence The RACGP has released a new guide designed to help GPs identify and respond to requests that might be inappropriate.