Editorial
Welcome to the first homepage edition of i2P for 2012.
In many ways it has been a slow start to the New Year because of having to deal with the “leftovers” from 2011.
One of those items for i2P was that a third-party provider to the site did not advise of a code change to the security section in our subscribe panel, creating a range of frustrated subscribers not able to get on board.
We apologise to all those potential subscribers who were unable to register with us in the second half of 2011, but if you try once more you should have no problem.
Columns
Rollo Manning: Pharma-Goss
Linda Bryant: Inside NZ
Loretta Marron BSc: Health Watch
Barry Urquhart: Marketing Focus
Mark Neuenschwander: I`ve been thinking about...Recent Comments
Past Editions
Volume 1 Number 1
Volume 1 Number 2
Volume 1 Number 3
Volume 1 Number 4
Volume 1 Number 5
Volume 1 Number 6
Volume 1 Number 7
Volume 2 Number 1
Volume 2 Number 2
Volume 2 Number 3
Volume 2 Number 4
Volume 2 Number 5
Volume 2 Number 6
Volume 2 Number 7
Volume 2 Number 8
Volume 2 Number 9
Volume 2 Number 10
Volume 2 Number 11
Volume 3 Number 1
Volume 3 Number 2
Volume 3 Number 3
Volume 3 Number 4
Volume 3 Number 5
Volume 3 Number 6
Volume 3 Number 7
Volume 3 Number 8
Volume 3 Number 9
Volume 3 Number 10
Volume 3 Number 11
Volume 2012 Number 1
Health Politics
Neil Johnston: Friends of Science in Medicine
Peter Sayers: Confessions of a Frustrated Pharmacist
James Ellerson: $75.5 million in 5CPA lying idle. Why is it so?EPublications
NPS Media Releases for January 2012
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Regular information provided by NPS – Better choices, better health - NPS enables people to be medicinewise. | |
NPS is a valued independent resource for accurate, evidence-based prescribing information and education.
Given the marketing pressures applied by global drug companies, NPS plays a vital and unique role across the healthcare sector.
For more information please contact Stephanie Childs on, or schilds@nps.org.au
23 January 2012
NEW NPS CAMPAIGN TO HELP COMBAT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
On 1 February 2012 NPS will launch a health professional education program as part of its new five-year campaign addressing the critical issue of antibiotic resistance
Beginning with a series of educational visits by NPS facilitators, the first year of the campaign will encourage health professionals to adhere more closely to therapeutic guidelines when prescribing antibiotics for respiratory tract infections and to communicate with patients about the dangers of overusing and misusing antibiotics.
NPS clinical adviser Dr Danielle Stowasser says the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria have heightened the need for action.
“Health professionals are well aware of the dangers posed by the upsurge in resistant strains of bacteria developing and spreading throughout the Australian community,” says Dr Stowasser.
“Recent studies have calculated the individual risk of carrying antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria after a course of antibiotics. People who carry these resistant strains may find that antibiotics are less effective when they are needed to treat more severe infections in the near future.
“The implications could be catastrophic if we don’t act now to combat the issues contributing to antibiotic resistance in the community and experts have suggested we may return to the pre-antibiotic era.”
As part of the campaign, NPS will release a series of educational resources designed to help facilitate communication between patients and health professionals and provide the most current and relevant information on antibiotic resistance. Resources include NPS publications, a clinical e-audit for GPs, a webinar focusing on the use of diagnostic tests in upper respiratory tract infections, case studies for nurses, practice managers, pharmacists and others, and patient counselling tools.
Dr Stowasser says health professionals have a vital and varied role in helping to fight antibiotic resistance in the community.
“As primary prescribers, the role of GPs is crucial when it comes to combating antibiotic overuse. We know patients with respiratory tract infections often visit their doctor expecting to leave with a script, and GPs may feel pressure to provide one,” says Dr Stowasser.
“Evidence suggests, however, that patient satisfaction is more likely to be influenced by good communication with their GP than a prescription for an antibiotic. A lot can be done in the practice and in the community itself to promote symptomatic management of viral respiratory tract infections for which antibiotics are not indicated.
“Providing information about the dangers of antibiotic overuse can help change consumer attitudes towards antibiotics and help give patients the confidence to self-manage the symptoms of their respiratory tract infection.”
Pharmacists are also well placed to educate consumers about the safe and effective use of antibiotics.
“Pharmacists can help by encouraging patients to take prescribed antibiotics as directed, because failing to do so can lead to the development of resistant strains of bacteria.”
In daily interactions with patients, nurses and other health professionals can also initiate conversations about antibiotic resistance, and provide support and reassurance for patients who may not understand the impact of overuse and misuse on individual and public health.
The consumer phase of the NPS antibiotic-resistance campaign will commence in April 2012 and details will be available closer to the date.
16 JANUARY 2012
MULTIPLE MEDICINE USE VERY COMMON: NEW SNAPSHOT OF OVER-50S’ MEDICINE HABITS
A study by NPS in collaboration with the University of Melbourne —published today in the Medical Journal of Australia — has provided new insights into how people use medicines on a daily basis and highlights that the use of multiple medicines in older Australians is common and more complex than previously thought.
The national survey of Australians aged 50 and over found that on the day the snapshot was taken:
* Medicines were used by the majority of Australians (87% of Australians aged 50 and over used at least one medicine)
* The use of multiple medicines was common with one third of 50-64 year olds, almost half of 65-74 year olds, and two thirds of people aged 75 and over taking five or more medicines on that day; and
* Women were more likely overall to be medicine users than men (90.3% versus 83.9%).
NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says the study’s findings emphasise the importance of the availability of accurate information about medicines, and of health professionals speaking with their patients about the medicines they are taking.
“For people taking multiple medicines, it’s especially important to keep track of what they are taking and when by using a Medicines List and sharing that information with their health professional,” said Dr Weekes.
According to the study authors, medicines are increasingly being used to modify health risks, improve wellbeing and prevent future illness rather than to just treat symptoms or disease.
Antihypertensive agents (for high blood pressure), natural marine and animal products (such as fish oil), and lipid-lowering agents (for high cholesterol) are the most common classes of medicines used. The most commonly taken active ingredients were omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), paracetamol, aspirin and glucosamine.
The NPS research found that 30% of Australians over 50 took medicines to lower cholesterol on the day the snapshot was taken, while complementary medicines were used by 46.3% of participants — with women the highest users.
“While this trend towards preventative medicines may have a long-term positive impact on health and quality of life, it also highlights the importance of the ongoing promotion of healthy lifestyle changes,” says Dr Marie Pirotta, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne.
“In particular, many people may be unaware of the risk of side effects or interactions between prescribed medicines and complementary medicines.”
The study found that doctors recommended 79.3% of all medicines and 93% of conventional medicines, with about one in eight medicines overall first recommended by family, friends or the media. In addition, one in eight medicines purchased by Australians aged 50 and over was purchased from a supermarket, health food store or the internet rather than a pharmacy.
“Family, friends and the media have a big influence over people’s medicine choices, and people are increasingly purchasing medicines outside pharmacies, so it’s more crucial than ever that people speak to their doctor or pharmacist and ask questions about whether a medicine is right for them,” said Dr Weekes.
“These results also highlight the need for people to be medicinewise and have access to the right information to make better choices and decisions about medicines, especially if people are taking medicines without professional advice.”
To find out how to be medicinewise, visit www.nps.org.au. The NPS Medicines List is available to download online or as a free iPhone app from the from the Apple iTunes store.
To read the full article on the study, which appears in Issue 1, Volume 196 of the Medical Journal of Australia, visit http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/196_01_160112/mor10698_fm.html.
10 JANUARY 2012
ASIA-PACIFIC SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED FOR NMS 2012
NPS is inviting academics, health workers and policy makers from the Asia-Pacific region to apply for a scholarship to attend the National Medicines Symposium to be held in Sydney, Australia in May 2012.
Applications for the single scholarship will be accepted from colleagues working in low and middle income countries in the Asian and Western Pacific regions who are active in a research, teaching, practice or policy role to support rational drug use in their country.
NMS is a biennial event hosted by NPS and the scholarship winner will receive complementary registration to the event and be invited to give an oral presentation of their work as part of a concurrent session.
The winner will also have the opportunity to attend the Asia Pacific Conference on National Medicines Policies, which follows NMS 2012 and will also be held in Sydney in May 2012. This conference is being run collaboratively by NPS, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the University of Newcastle and the World Health Organization.
NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says the scholarship provides opportunities to identify similarities and differences in quality use of medicines issues affecting Asia-Pacific and Australia.
“The theme for NMS 2012 is Building a medicinewise community and through offering this scholarship we hope to build cross-country partnerships that funnel into a quality use of medicines alumni lasting well into the future,” says Dr Weekes.
“The competitive scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for somebody with an interest in quality use of medicines to share their experiences and learning amongst their peers and develop their leadership potential.”
The scholarship recipient will receive complimentary registration to NMS 2012 and the Asia Pacific Conference on National Medicines Policies and up to $5000 (AUD) to cover travel, accommodation and expenses.
For more information on the general eligibility requirements, a full list of eligible countries and criteria to address in the application, visit http://www.nps.org.au/topics/nms/qum_scholarship.
Applications should be sent directly to qumscholarship@nps.org.au.
Applications close 17 February 2012 and the scholarship winner will be announced by 9 March 2012.
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