Time is running out False face must hide what false heart doth know

By ROBERT KING

The ticking clock of the natural world is a reminder of how quickly our resources are being depleted. It is a sign of the urgency of our need to act now and protect our planet for the future. Through RED, Dancenorth is bringing awareness to this issue in an incredibly powerful way. The dancers’ movements represent the struggle of redheads and other endangered species to survive. As the infatable structure is slowly defated, the audience is made aware of how little time we have before these species become extinct. This serves as a reminder of our need to take responsibility for preserving the environment before it’s too late. RED is an emotional performance that captures both the beauty and fragility of life. By combining dance, music, and visual effects, Dancenorth creates a thought-provoking piece that encourages us to consider the consequences of our actions. It’s a stark reminder that time is running out, and we must act now if we want to preserve the beauty of the natural world.

Performing: Scan the QR Code to book tickets 29 March to 1 April 50 minutes (nointerval, subject to change

By ROBERT KING

Umberto Clerici, the new chief conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, will lead the orchestra and the Opera Queensland Chorus in a spellbinding performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth. This timeless tragedy of ambition and betrayal, based on Shakespeare’s tragedy, is as relevant today as it was when it was frst performed in 1847. The stellar cast features José Carbó as Macbeth, Anna Louise-Cole as Lady Macbeth and Rosario La Spina as Macduff. With their powerful voices and intense interpretations, they bring the characters to life in a way that only a live performance can. Verdi’s music is the perfect accompaniment to the drama and tragedy of Shakespeare’s story. His score is flled with thrilling moments that will leave the audience on the edge of their seat. From the eerie opening chords to the stirring fnale, the orchestra and chorus will bring the story of Macbeth to vivid life. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland Chorus will transport audiences to a world of treachery and ambition, as they present Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth. Under the masterful baton of Umberto Clerici, with a cast of internationally acclaimed singers, this is sure to be a performance to remember. Vocal Arrangements Tony Award® winner for Best Sound Design of a Play Drama Desk Award winner for Outstanding Music in a Play

Performing: Scan the QR Code to book tickets 9 & 11 Mar 2023 3 hours (including interval, subject to change without notice)

SURPRISING DISCOVERY: ANTIOXIDANTS IN BEEF, CHICKEN, AND PORK

The research team led by Professor Hideshi Ihara from the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science has discovered a new form of imidazole dipeptides (IDPs)

-- 2-oxo-imidazolecontaining dipeptides (2-oxo-IDPs) -- which are unique in that they have one more atom of oxygen than normal IDPs. These new compounds have been found to have especially high antioxidant activity, making them highly valuable for medical and pharmaceutical use.

The researchers have developed a method to selectively and sensitively detect very small amounts of 2-oxoIDPs, and in doing so, they have revealed for the frst time that several types of 2-oxo-IDPs are contained in meat, including beef, pork, and chicken. Through the use of mass spectrometry, the team has been able to quantify trace 2-oxoIDPs in living organisms, thus providing a valuable tool for advanced analysis of 2-oxo-IDPs.

The team’s fndings have far-reaching implications, as they suggest that these 2-oxo-IDPs may play a signifcant role in the health and wellbeing of humans and other animals. In particular, they may be effective in relieving fatigue and preventing dementia, although the exact physiological mechanism by which they work has yet to be determined.

The research team has expressed the hope that their fndings will be applied to various felds such as medicine, agriculture, and pharmacy, where it will help improve peoples’ health and prevent diseases. This new method for detection of 2-oxo-IDPs opens up a vast array of potential applications and is certain to have a lasting impact on the feld of antioxidant research.

WHO SHOULD BE GIVEN ACCESS TO OZEMPIC FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

Semaglutide, sold in the forms of Ozempic and Wegovy, suddenly became a popular weight-loss medication last year, after being spruiked by social media infuencers and people such as Elon Musk. This unexpected increase in demand for the drug has resulted in a world-wide shortage. Producing semaglutide involves a unique manufacturing set-up, and it will take some time to re-establish a global supply, with an expected return to Australia at the end of March.

Originally intended for type 2 diabetes management, Ozempic has controlled blood sugar levels more effectively than other medications for many people with diabetes –and the shortage has left them struggling to fnd pharmacies with their treatment in stock. For weight loss, Wegovy has been approved by both US and Australian regulators, though it hasn’t been available for use in Australia yet. When the shortage is resolved and semaglutide is once again available in Australia, it is unclear who will be able to access it for weight loss and how much they will pay.

SO HOW DOES SEMAGLUTIDE WORK? It increases feelings of fullness by acting on appetite centres in the brain and slowing stomach emptying, and affects the secretion of insulin and glucagon. Studies show it helps 66-84 per cent of people to lose weight, making it more effective than other drugs on the market. The downside is that once stopped, patients notice a gradual regain of up to two-thirds of the weight they lost. This means semaglutide works only while taking it – it “manages” but does not “cure”. It is meant to be an add-on, not a replacement, for exercise and a healthy diet.

Side effects of semaglutide can include nausea, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea, though research is reassuring so far on the risk of pancreatitis, thyroid and pancreatic cancers. The biggest barrier to the drug for weight loss is the cost – in Australia it is estimated to cost around $130 a month in 2022, though it could be pricier once supply issues are fxed. People with lower incomes may struggle to afford it, so from a public health perspective subsidising on the Pharmaceutical Benefts Scheme (PBS) may be necessary. One serious concern is the potential for semaglutide to be used by people who are not obese, particularly those with eating disorders. The psychological and social pressure to be thin is a powerful driver, and people may see semaglutide as a way of “treating” their body image issues. Another concern is the impact on enjoying food – patients feel full after just a few bites, making meals with friends awkward and limiting their social life.

First-line obesity management should always be lifestyle interventions, but when this is insuffcient, patients’ options are limited. Semaglutide could possibly play a role in weight loss management in Australia, though this will require input from the community and from doctors, and clear, evidence-based guidelines that consider the psychological and social impact of the drug. Equity of access must also be addressed, alongside protection for those with body image issues.

Pharmacy Duo Handed Prison Time

The Department has a wide range of compliance and enforcement powers to detect, investigate and punish those who are found to have committed fraud and other offences under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

The sentencing of two individuals in Victoria and New South Wales last week serves as a reminder to the public that the Department will take action against those who seek to defraud the Medicare system.

The Department of Health and Aged Care and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) have jointly sent a strong message to those who seek to defraud the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefts Scheme by handing down two prison sentences to a pharmacist and practice manager from across Australia.

Carson Au, a Victorian pharmacy practitioner, was sentenced to two years imprisonment after having made 76 false PBS claims between 25 February 2018 and 20 September

2019. Au received PBS payments in the amount of $110,461.68 to which he was not entitled. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment commencing on the 2 February 2023, with eight months to be served in custody before being released on a $5,000 Good Behaviour Bond of two years. All monies owed by Mr Au have been repaid.

Former practice manager Amanda Blackburn of St Clair was sentenced to a maximum of four years imprisonment with a minimum two years to be served by the Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to defrauding taxpayers of almost $315,000 by lodging false MBS claims. Ms Blackburn was found to have made 3,915 false or misleading MBS claims for 6,897 services between 26 March 2014 and 1 February 2021 that were not actually provided to patients. A Restitution Order was issued by the Court for $314,253.60.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has a zero tolerance policy for those who seek to defraud the Medicare system. As such, the Department has a wide range of compliance and enforcement powers to detect, investigate and punish those who are found to have committed fraud and other offences under the Health Insurance Act 1973. The Department is committed to protecting the integrity of the Medicare system and will take action against those who seek to undermine it.

The recent sentencing of Carson Au and Amanda Blackburn sends a clear deterrent message to those who might consider engaging in fraudulent activities under the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefts Scheme.

The Department of Health and Aged Care and the CDPP have shown that they are committed to ensuring that the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefts Systems are upheld and protected against fraud, and will not hesitate to take action against those who seek to exploit it.

RECEPTIONIST FOUND GUILTY OF DEFRAUDING MEDICARE OF $253K

The public should be aware that convictions for Medicare fraud can lead to signifcant penalties and jail time. This case serves as an important reminder that the Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare fraud seriously and will not hesitate to refer matters to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) for prosecution.

On Wednesday, 25 January 2023 in the Southport District Court, Ms Angela Rose was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to the fraudulent claiming of more than $253,000 in Medicare payments under the Medicare Benefts Scheme (MBS). The charges included four counts of obtaining a fnancial advantage under section 134.2 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995, and two counts of attempting to pervert justice under section 43 (1) of the Crimes Act 1914.

This case was referred to the CDPP by the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Benefts Integrity and Digital Health Division after an investigation revealed that Ms Rose had unlawfully claimed benefts under the MBS between the 21 March 2016 and 16 August 2017. Ms Rose was ordered to pay back the $253,224.85 she had received in Medicare benefts to which she was not entitled.

The Department of Health and Aged Care is committed to identifying, verifying, and investigating incorrect or fraudulent Medicare claiming. The Department takes all tip-offs seriously and has a range of methods to address instances of non-compliance. It is also able to call upon the assistance of law enforcement bodies such as the Australian Federal Police (AFP) or State Police as necessary.

In order to protect the integrity of the Medicare system, the Department encourages members of the public to report any suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers. This can be done via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health and Aged Care›s website at www.health. gov.au/fraud-tip-offs or by calling the Provider Benefts Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.

The conviction and sentencing of Ms Rose is a stark reminder of the serious consequences of committing Medicare fraud. The Department of Health and Aged Care will not hesitate to refer matters to the CDPP for prosecution, and individuals convicted of this crime can face signifcant penalties and jail time.