Blog
Data, Privacy and Cloud Storage
In a recent Government tender for a report on the National Medical Stockpile, the Government has stated that all data must remain within the boundaries of Australia. National security was cited as the main issue. Therefore, tenderers would need to consider where...
E-Cigarettes: any health benefits?
As usage of e-cigarettes rise and they are continually being marketed as a method to aid quitting, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has issued a statement stating there is “insufficient evidence” whether the devices helped people quit or were...
The ‘Ice’ epidemic and tackling it from the pharmacy side
The drug ‘Ice’ is all over the news here in Australia as recent figures show a doubling in its use over the last 12 months. It is a destructive highly addictive amphetamine and concern is a point where appropriate funding is being sought within the budget to protect...
Opioid Management Therapy (OMT)
The current system in Australian for patients on OMT is a user pays system and there is currently talk to suggest that by providing a free service to patients would boost adherence. There are reports that many patients often forego their daily treatment for other...
Medicine Exports from Australia on the decrease
In Australia, pharmaceutical product exports have dropped $1.4b since 2012 yet the nation has a skilled labour force, existing infrastructure and a reputation for safe manufacturing. How as a nation are we not competitive? Are we not entrepreneurial? Are we the...
Can there be too many pharmacies?
And so it goes on … the public outcry to the community pharmacy regulations is under question. Whilst nearly all within the industry oppose any potential changes there are many external parties endorsing such change. Many of those pushing for change particularly like...
Considering a Distance Selling Pharmacy? Find out more!!
With community pharmacy contracts being so difficult to get, more and more people are considering the distance selling pharmacy (DSP) model. At the moment these contracts are except from the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) i.e. you do not have to prove a need....
Sea sick tablets? Please remember the acronym!
The sailing season in starting in earnest and you may be wishing to buy sea sickness tablets, first aid kits or liferafts, so please remember the acronym S “ SOS “equipment know what you should have on board to suit you and your crews needs,...
Promoting Healthy Lifestyle: Alcohol. Can you as a community pharmacy do more?
Are you aware that many of your patients are not aware of the long term damage their alcohol consumption is having on their bodies? Are your patients aware that your liver is not the only organ you can damage? Are your patients aware of the amount of alcohol they are...
Falsified Medication: What, Who, Why, How and When?
WHAT? Under the Guidelines of 5 November 2013 on Good Distribution Practice of medicinal products for human use (2013/C 343/01) a Falsified Medicine is defined as: Any medicinal product with a false representation of: its identity, including its...
Requirement to display CQC rating comes into effect from April 1st 2015
The CQC have published their final guidance for providers on meeting the new requirement to display CQC ratings in their premises and online. This requirement comes into effect from 1 April 2015. If you have already been awarded a CQC rating you have 21 calendar days...
Prescription charge is to rise to £8.20
The government has announced an increase to the NHS prescription charge of 15 pence, to £8.20 per prescription item. This change will come into effect from 1st April 2015. The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) has remained the same for...