Draft deprescribing guideline for older people issued The recommendations are currently out for feedback, with hopes the guidelines can ‘meaningfully improve’ health outcomes.
Wegovy approved for cutting cardiovascular disease risk The TGA has approved semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) as an adjunct to standard of care therapy to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight and obese adults.
Most GPs discover medication shortages through patients: Poll A new survey highlights the urgency of improving measures to communicate supply chain disruptions, with patients increasingly feeling an impact.
Dire 60-day script predictions fail to materialise As well as saving patients money, more pharmacies have opened than have closed since the policy first came into effect in September 2023.
PBS co-payment freeze rolls out In 2025, the maximum patient cost for all PBS medicines will remain the same as in 2024 instead of increasing with indexation.
Is prescription affordability impacting hospitalisations? Research has revealed patients unable to pay for medication are ending up in hospitals, as doctors call for cost-of-living relief.
New standard warns against over-medicating the elderly Chemical restraint should only be used as a last resort when treating vulnerable patients, according to a new national standard.
GPs ‘underutilised’ for hepatitis B care Australia’s treatment targets are lagging behind, but GPs can help by playing a larger part in managing care, referral pathways and prescribing.
Specialist colleges in united front against pharmacy prescribing Allowing pharmacists to prescribe Schedule 4 medications has been described as ‘inconsistent with good practice’.
Controversial pharmacy income deal under assessment An agreement that guarantees pharmacies’ income for prescriptions is being reviewed for its ‘fitness for purpose’.