Thursday 05 Jan 2017 www.pharmacydaily.com.au
Chinese Sports Injuries Pill recalled The Therapeutic Goods Administration has announced the recall of one batch of Chinese Sports Injuries Pill (Zhong Guo Die Da Wan) which is being undertaken by Beijing Tong Ren Tang Australia. TGA testing of products from batch number 12010460 of the item has detected very low levels of aristolochic acid - a substance which has no established safe exposure level. Consumers are advised to return affected items to the place of purchase for a refund.
Still waiting for CGM Diabetes Australia has confirmed ongoing consultations with the Federal Government over the subsidisation of continuous glucose monitoring (GCM) technology to help children and young adults under 21 years of age manage their type 1 diabetes. During the 2016 Federal Election the government committed to subsidise GCM systems, with Diabetes Australia saying work is well advanced in addressing the promise although at this stage a commencement date has not been determined. “The Department of Health is consulting with Diabetes Australia, expert endocrinologists and clinicians and other key stakeholders to assist with the implementation of this commitment as part of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) and to ensure that eligible children and young adults receive the support they need,” according to a Diabetes Australia update issued just before Christmas. Issues being ironed out include clinical eligibility criteria, authorisation processes, supply arrangements, information, education and support programs, as well as the administrative and IT systems changes required to implement the commitment. Key organisations pushing for the CGM technology include the Danii Foundation, which currently funds trials of systems for a number of patients - see danii.org.au.
CHF safety net changes
NZ antibiotic surge
Antibiotic use by New Zealanders over the winter The Consumers community season is soaring, with the Health Forum pharmacy setting, figures indicating “widespread has urged the being integrated inappropriate use for viral coughs government with other and colds” according to a new to reform the reforms such as report produced by the NZ Institute Pharmaceutical local services of Environmental Science and Benefits Scheme commissioned by Research. safety net, so Primary Health The study indicated that across consumers with high usage of PBS Networks and Health Care Homes”. NZ in 2006 there were 17.8 doses medicines can smooth out their If co-payments are able to be of antibiotics per day for every annual co-payments. smoothed, this will help high PBS 1000 people - a figure which The initiative is contained in the medicine users to reduce their jumped to 25.8 doses per 1000 in Forum’s submission for the 2017-18 uncertainty and ill-health by 2014, reports the NZ Herald. Federal Budget, along with a call ensuring continued medication. “New Zealand’s antimicrobial to withdraw a proposed one-off Consumer “This issue focused is raised consistently commitments dispensing has increased increase in PBS co-payments by consumers, particularly those dramatically,” said Dr Stewart and increases in the safety net on low and fixed incomes who Jessamine, director of protection thresholds. sometimes struggle to afford even and regulation at the NZ Ministry “Pharmacy is a key element in the concessional co-payment,” the Submission to the Federal Treasurer of Health. the strong and sustainable primary Forum said. The median increase in winter use healthcare system that Australian for Federal The CHF alsoBudget welcomed2017-18 the of antibiotics was a whopping 41%, needs,” the CHF submission states. ongoing modernisation of IT which authorities said indicated “CHF supports the strengthening systems supporting the health, use of antibiotics to treat common of this crucial sector through the aged care and related veterans’ winter viruses that are not removal of the PBS co-payment payments services, which is susceptible to the medications. increase, the development of a expected to address existing new health payment system and long waiting times and complex through the reform of the PBS processes. Merck acquisition safety net,” it adds. “We suggest that this payment Merck has overnight announced The organisation also said it system includes the capacity to the acquisition of BioControl December 2016 formally supports “the integration administer the Pharmaceutical Systems Inc, a company described of primary care services delivered Benefits Schedule safety net as a “global leader in food safety by pharmacists and in the electronically,” the CHF said. testing”. “The current system of paper The deal is said to open up growth records being held by one opportunities for Merck in the food Team pharmacist key pharmacy places an unnecessary and beverage space, particularly in level of stress and burden on Inclusion of a pharmacist the USA, complementing its existing consumers,” the Forum added. in the multidisciplinary health food pathogen testing portfolio. care team could detect more cases of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP), according to a study published in the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. This week Pharmacy Daily and Aveeno are giving away each day Researchers in Spain compared Daily Moisturising Lotion and Dermexa Moisturising Cream. the total number of PIP incidents Aveeno Dermexa Moisturising Cream is as determined by STOPP-START specifically formulated to soothe and hydrate criteria with PIP incidents detected even the most sensitive skin, and is clinically by a pharmacist’s clinical opinion, in proven suitable for eczema prone skin. Aveeno 338 hospitalised or institutionalised Daily Moisturising Lotion contains Active Naturals patients aged over 65 years. Colloidal Oatmeal, which is a specially milled, The pharmacist’s judgement, finely ground oat formula that allows the lotion based on a comprehensive review to lock in moisture while replenishing the skin’s of the complete chronic treatment own moisture levels. of patients, detected 35% more To win, be the first from WA, SA or NT to send the correct answer PIP incidents than the STOPPSTART criteria, which mainly to the question to comp@pharmacydaily.com.au detected incidents related to How long does it take to improve the conditions of dry skin with drug duplication and insufficiently Daily Moisturising Lotion? treated diagnosis or symptoms. Congratulations to yesterday’s winner, Fiona Munro from LiveLife Pharmacy. More details at ejhp.bmj.com.
Pharmacy Daily Thursday 5th January 2017
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