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Medicines

“Significant milestone” for inhaled budesonide benefit as early COVID-19 therapy

Inhaled budesonide can reduce the likelihood of requiring urgent medical care for a COVID-19 infection, and can shorten recovery time as well, according to two studies. Results of the STOIC trial are now fully peer reviewed, while the larger PRINCIPLE...

Inhaled budesonide can reduce the likelihood of requiring urgent medical care for a COVID-19 infection, and can shorten recovery time...

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medicines

People with asthma are at less risk of COVID-19, but why? Trial sheds light on how azithromycin reduces asthma exacerbations; Huge spike in RSV in kids sends a public health message 

People with asthma are at less risk of COVID-19, but why? People with asthma are not at increased risk for acquiring COVID-19 compared to those without asthma and have similar clinical outcomes, a review concludes. The systematic review of 57 studies by...

People with asthma are at less risk of COVID-19, but why? People with asthma are not at increased risk for acquiring...
medicines

How is long-term azithromycin being used by respiratory physicians in Australia?

Long-term, low-dose azithromycin is effective but underused in patients with persistent asthma and other obstructive airway disease (OAD), according to findings from a study of real-world prescribing patterns of the macrolide in Australia. Investigators from Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) in...

Long-term, low-dose azithromycin is effective but underused in patients with persistent asthma and other obstructive airway disease (OAD), according to...
medicines

News in Brief: Benefits of early selexipag in PAH; Spike in empyema following introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine

Earlier the better for PAH treatment, RCT shows The benefits of initiating selexipag early in PAH has been further strengthened in the latest review of the GRIPHON trial - the largest RCT on PAH to date. The...

Earlier the better for PAH treatment, RCT shows The benefits of initiating selexipag early in PAH has been further...
medicines

PBS change opens door to dual therapy for more patients with PAH

A change that allows physicians to prescribe dual therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertensions (PAH) on the PBS has been “a long time coming”, says respiratory physician Associate Professor Edmund Lau. From 1 October, patients with WHO Functional Class III...

A change that allows physicians to prescribe dual therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertensions (PAH) on the PBS has...
medicines

Macrolide use in kids with wet cough outside guidelines

Many clinicians are prescribing azithromycin in children with chronic wet cough outside current guidelines, an Australian and New Zealand survey has found. Respondents to the web-based survey were 29 of 73 members of the TSANZ Paediatric SIG. All said they...

Many clinicians are prescribing azithromycin in children with chronic wet cough outside current guidelines, an Australian and New Zealand survey...
medicines

4 respiratory therapies get PBAC recommendations

Drugs for asthma, pulmonary artery hypertension and non-small cell lung cancer have received recommendations for PBS listing from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). At its July 2020 meeting, the PBAC recommended the following listings: Atectura Breezhaler: listing of the...

Drugs for asthma, pulmonary artery hypertension and non-small cell lung cancer have received recommendations for PBS listing from the Pharmaceutical...
medicines

Gefapixant gives a taste of what may work for unexplained chronic cough

A novel drug may help relieve unexplained chronic cough – but at the expense of taste disorders, according to a study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Results from a phase 2b randomised controlled trial found that gefapixant, a P2X3 receptor antagonist,...

A novel drug may help relieve unexplained chronic cough – but at the expense of taste disorders, according to a...
medicines

PBS broadens access to COPD triple therapy and lung cancer immunotherapy

For COPD patients the PBS is to remove the clinical criteria restricting access to patients with a FEV1 <50% of predicted for triple therapy Trelegy (fluticasone furoate with umeclidinium and vilanterol) from 1 March 2020. The move is expected to allow...

For COPD patients the PBS is to remove the clinical criteria restricting access to patients with a FEV1 <50% of...
medicines

Opioid users to be offered free naloxone nasal spray

A pilot program has been launched to provide opioid users with free take-home nasal naloxone to rapidly reverse overdose. Naloxone nasal spray (Nyxoid) has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and will be made available free from pharmacies...

A pilot program has been launched to provide opioid users with free take-home nasal naloxone to rapidly reverse overdose. Naloxone...
medicines

Predicting responses to benralizumab

Despite the overall failure of benralizumab to impress in patients with moderate to severe COPD, it may be possible to identify a subpopulation of responders using a combination of elevated blood...

Despite the overall failure of benralizumab to impress in patients with...
medicines

Morphine listed on PBS for chronic breathlessness in palliative care

Sustained-release morphine (Kapanol) tablets will be listed on the PBS from 1 September for the management of chronic breathlessness in palliative care settings. The listing will provide subsidised treatment  for symptomatic relief of chronic breathlessness in patients with advanced COPD, cardiac...

Sustained-release morphine (Kapanol) tablets will be listed on the PBS from 1 September for the management of chronic breathlessness in...
medicines

‘Extreme’ SABA overuse seen with pharmacy OTC inhalers

Lax rules that allow people to buy asthma reliever inhalers in retail pharmacies without medical supervision is contributing to widespread overuse of short-acting beta-agonists (SABA), Australian research suggests. A survey of 412 people who bought a SABA inhaler over the counter...

Lax rules that allow people to buy asthma reliever inhalers in retail pharmacies without medical supervision is contributing to widespread...
medicines

Industry focus on niche drugs means nothing in pipeline for major diseases

The focus on rare diseases by the pharmaceutical industry is a dangerous trend that is stifling innovation and neglects major causes of death and disability such as cardiovascular disease, the President of the European Society of Cardiology has...

The focus on rare diseases by the pharmaceutical industry is a dangerous trend that is stifling innovation and...
medicines

Lung cancer: personalised medicine to be delivered by ‘molecular champions’

Oncology clinics of the future may be organised by tumour biomarker signature rather than by disease, a specialist meeting in Sydney has heard. With novel selectively-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) likely to become available from next year, it may make more...

Oncology clinics of the future may be organised by tumour biomarker signature rather than by disease, a specialist meeting in...
medicines

PBAC supports low-dose morphine for chronic breathlessness

Low-dose morphine will soon be more accessible for the management of chronic breathlessness. The PBAC has recommended extending the PBS-listing of morphine modified release capsules (Kapanol®) on the Palliative Care schedule to include restricted benefit listing for the treatment of patients...

Low-dose morphine will soon be more accessible for the management of chronic breathlessness. The PBAC has recommended extending the PBS-listing of...
medicines

Antibiotics in respiratory disease an area that needs more attention: AURA

Antibiotic prescribing for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections has been highlighted as an area that needs more attention in the latest antimicrobial use and resistance report. Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia 2019: Third Australian report on antimicrobial...

Antibiotic prescribing for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections has been highlighted as an area that needs more attention...
medicines

PBS moves for COPD inhalers and new CF treatments

In a major change for corticosteroid/LABA inhalers for COPD, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended removal of the requirement for patients to have a FEV1 less than 50% of predicted normal prior to therapy. At its March meeting the...

In a major change for corticosteroid/LABA inhalers for COPD, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended removal of the...
medicines

Biologics and respiratory complications: no overt PE risk with TK inhibitors

Respiratory physicians asked for their take on the possible pulmonary side effects of small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can reassure their colleagues. According to a meta-analysis of all published trial data on adverse events, there is some signal for infections...

Respiratory physicians asked for their take on the possible pulmonary side effects of small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can...
medicines

Digital inhalers to report patient adherence

Integrated adherence monitors in asthma and COPD inhalers are on the horizon and clinicians should do all they can to support their development and adoption. A call-to-action, published in JAMA in response to recent FDA approval of the first such...

Integrated adherence monitors in asthma and COPD inhalers are on the horizon and clinicians should do all they can to...
medicines

PBS funding recommended for dual combination therapy in PAH

The PBS has signalled a move to subsidise dual combination therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A recommendation to subsidise combination therapy with an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor for patients with WHO Functional Class III and...

The PBS has signalled a move to subsidise dual combination therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A recommendation to...
medicines

Benralizumab gets PBS listing

Benralizumab (Fasenra) has been listed on the PBS from 1 December for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma. The listing will provide subsidised access for around 670 patients to the monoclonal antibody-based subcutaneous injections, which would otherwise cost up to...

Benralizumab (Fasenra) has been listed on the PBS from 1 December for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma. The listing...
medicines

No role for add-on theophylline to prevent COPD exacerbations

Low-dose theophylline does not significantly reduce the number of exacerbations in patients with COPD when added to inhaled corticosteroids, new results show. The findings from the TWICS (Theophylline With Inhaled CorticoSteroids) trial do not support the use of low-dose theophylline...

Low-dose theophylline does not significantly reduce the number of exacerbations in patients with COPD when added to inhaled corticosteroids, new...
medicines

New treatments bring new lung toxicities in haematology patients

Exciting new therapies for leukaemia and lymphoma are creating a whole new spectrum of complications for pulmonologists and intensivists to deal with, the ERS International Congress was told. Professor Robert Vassallo, from the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at...

Exciting new therapies for leukaemia and lymphoma are creating a whole new spectrum of complications for pulmonologists and intensivists to...
medicines

Deprescribing call for lung cancer patients taking unnecessary medicines

De-prescribing will help relieve the pill burden for lung cancer patients who are often taking unnecessary preventive medications such as statins and antihypertensives in the advanced stages of their disease, a study shows. A retrospective review of medical records for patients...

De-prescribing will help relieve the pill burden for lung cancer patients who are often taking unnecessary preventive medications such as...
medicines

OPTIMIZE trial: long term azithromycin preserves lung function in CF children

The longest randomised controlled trial of azithromycin treatment in children with cystic fibrosis has shown a 44% reduction in exacerbations over 18 months. The OPTIMIZE trial conducted in 221 US children with CF aged 6 months-18 years with recent Pseudomanas...

The longest randomised controlled trial of azithromycin treatment in children with cystic fibrosis has shown a 44% reduction in exacerbations...
medicines

Why macrolides should remain a last resort in respiratory patients

Macrolide antibiotics are an important growth area in prescribing for respiratory disease but should be kept as back-up therapy, delegates at the British Thoracic Society Summer Meeting have heard. Ten years ago almost no respiratory patients would have been on long...

Macrolide antibiotics are an important growth area in prescribing for respiratory disease but should be kept as back-up therapy, delegates...
medicines

PBS tightens up on FDC inhaler use in child asthma

The PBS restriction level for fixed dose combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long acting beta-antagonist (LABA) inhalers for childhood asthma is to be increased to Authority Required (Streamlined), the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has signalled . The move is a reiteration of the...

The PBS restriction level for fixed dose combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long acting beta-antagonist (LABA) inhalers for childhood asthma is to...
medicines

Novel therapies begin to ‘outsmart’ ALK-positive NSCLC

Rare ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can achieve an ‘impressive’ overall survival of almost four years (46 months) when aggressively managed, Australian clinicians have shown. A study of 35 patients identified between 2010 and 2016 at the Royal North...

Rare ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can achieve an ‘impressive’ overall survival of almost four years (46 months) when...
medicines

PBS listings approved for novel asthma and IPF treatments

Another anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody drug, benralizumab (Fasenra), has been recommended for PBS listing for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma. At its March 2018 meeting the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended the Section 100 (Highly Specialised Drug Program) Authority...

Another anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody drug, benralizumab (Fasenra), has been recommended for PBS listing for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic...
medicines

Webinar to address uncontrolled asthma

Respiratory specialist clinicians are to take part in a NPS MedicineWise webinar on poorly controlled asthma on 1 May. Professor Helen Reddel of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney will be joined by three other clinicians in...

Respiratory specialist clinicians are to take part in a NPS MedicineWise webinar on poorly controlled asthma on 1 May. Professor...
medicines

Cochrane Review highlights lack of evidence for ILD treatment

Patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) might expect a small improvement in lung function with cyclophosphamide treatment, a Cochrane review has concluded. The systematic review of the limited evidence - just four studies - found the immunosuppressant...

Patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) might expect a small improvement in lung function with cyclophosphamide treatment,...
medicines

High dose, low impact: why we need to rethink ICS asthma strategy

Escalating doses of inhaled corticosteroids in an effort to head off impending asthma exacerbations is unsuccessful in children and of limited value in adults. US research showed increasing the regular dose of inhaled steroids by a factor of five at...

Escalating doses of inhaled corticosteroids in an effort to head off impending asthma exacerbations is unsuccessful in children and of...
medicines

Respiratory indications list will make TGA ‘laughing stock of the world’

TGA proposals to allow alternative medicine manufacturers to make respiratory condition efficacy claims based on traditional of use rather than scientific evidence will make Australia the 'laughing stock' of the world, critics say. The regulator has come under fire for its...

TGA proposals to allow alternative medicine manufacturers to make respiratory condition efficacy claims based on traditional of use rather than...
medicines

Respiratory drugs highlighted in PBS costs report

Fixed dose combination inhalers for COPD have been flagged as high growth prescription items for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In its annual expenditure report, the PBS highlights the LABA/LAMA combo tiotropium/olodaterol (Spiolto Respimat) as one of the products with the...

Fixed dose combination inhalers for COPD have been flagged as high growth prescription items for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In its...
medicines

Why macrolides are a must for CAP

There is now overwhelming evidence to add macrolides to beta-lactams in empiric treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), an Australian respiratory physician says. Despite controversy over the use of macrolides in CAP...

There is now overwhelming evidence to add macrolides to beta-lactams in...
medicines

Technology set to transform adherence to medications

Technologies to monitor adherence to treatment will “transform” the respiratory field, doctors at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting predicted. Lack of compliance, whether of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma, mechanical ventilation in respiratory failure or antimicrobial treatment in TB, is a...

Technologies to monitor adherence to treatment will “transform” the respiratory field, doctors at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting predicted. Lack...
medicines

Oxygen titration important in obese: study

Oxygen therapy should be titrated for morbidly obese inpatients to avoid hyperoxaemia and hypoxaemia, New Zealand research finds. The randomised, crossover trial of 22 morbidly obese adult inpatients found a significantly greater increase in transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (Ptco2) following 60...

Oxygen therapy should be titrated for morbidly obese inpatients to avoid hyperoxaemia and hypoxaemia, New Zealand research finds. The randomised, crossover...
medicines

Healthy ROI on cancer drugs for pharma

It’s much cheaper to develop cancer drugs than pharmaceutical companies claim, say the authors of a new analysis. According to the analysis of R&D costs associated with ten new cancer medicines and subsequent revenue earned, the return on investment is of a magnitude...

It’s much cheaper to develop cancer drugs than pharmaceutical companies claim, say the authors of a new analysis. According to the analysis of...
medicines

Study challenges premature baby care

An increase in the use of "gentler" less invasive breathing support for premature babies over the last quarter of a century hasn't translated to better respiratory function in the long-term, Victorian research concludes. The study by the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study Group...

An increase in the use of "gentler" less invasive breathing support for premature babies over the last quarter of a...
medicines

How caffeine helps premature babies breathe easier

Doctors have been using caffeine for pre-term babies since the 1990s, and new research shows the benefits last for years There’s nothing like a good slug of caffeine to keep you on your toes, but...

Doctors have been using caffeine for pre-term babies since the 1990s, and new research shows...
medicines

GPs not following antibiotics prescribing guidelines

Australian GPs are prescribing antibiotics for acute respiratory infections at rates 4-9 times higher than recommended by Therapeutic Guidelines. The findings from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) study are the first to quantify the extent of...

Australian GPs are prescribing antibiotics for acute respiratory infections at rates 4-9 times higher than recommended by Therapeutic Guidelines. The...
medicines

IPF drug pirfenidone now listed on PBS

Pirfenidone (Esbriet) has finally been added to the PBS for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The PBS subsidy will come as a relief for patients who have been waiting for a number of years for improved access to the drug. The...

Pirfenidone (Esbriet) has finally been added to the PBS for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The PBS subsidy will come...
medicines

Ban on sale of homeopathics in shake-up of pharmacy rules

New rules on how complementary medicines are sold including a ban on homeopathic medicines are part of a proposed shake-up of pharmacy regulation. The interim report for the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation recommends a raft of changes aimed...

New rules on how complementary medicines are sold including a ban on homeopathic medicines are part of a proposed shake-up...
medicines

Top gong for respiratory doctor’s decades of service

He was the driving force in transforming a small country hospital into a tertiary teaching facility. This week, Associate Professor David Langton, director of Thoracic and Sleep Medicine at Peninsula Health, was recognised with one of Australia’s most prestigious honours –...

He was the driving force in transforming a small country hospital into a tertiary teaching facility. This week, Associate Professor David...
medicines

Have your say on MBS reviews

TSANZ members are being encouraged to provide their input to draft recommendations regarding pulmonary embolism (PE) and allergy testing, as part of the ongoing overhaul of the MBS. TSANZ president Professor Allan Glanville told the limbic clinicians had a duty to...

TSANZ members are being encouraged to provide their input to draft recommendations regarding pulmonary embolism (PE) and allergy testing, as...
medicines

Call for PBS support for pulmonary hypertension patients

Australian doctors should be able to prescribe combination therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in line with international guidelines. The call for ‘broader access to combination therapy’ from clinicians at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, coincides with a...

Australian doctors should be able to prescribe combination therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in line with international...
medicines

Undignified death for the Cancer Drug Fund

Countries considering quarantining funds to provide faster access to expensive cancer drugs have been warned - the UK experiment failed. Set up in 2010 with a budget of £50 million per year, the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) ended up costing the...

Countries considering quarantining funds to provide faster access to expensive cancer drugs have been warned - the UK experiment failed. Set...
medicines

PAH prescribing restrictions out of step with evidence

Doctors and patient support groups are urging the government to lift ‘senseless’ prescribing restrictions on drugs used to treat PAH in the lead up to a post market review of the medicines. In submissions to the Department of Health review several...

Doctors and patient support groups are urging the government to lift ‘senseless’ prescribing restrictions on drugs used to treat PAH...
medicines

PAH drug under safety review

The European medicines safety agency is reviewing the safety of the PAH drug selexipag (Uptravi) following the deaths of 5 patients taking the medicine in France. However, an advisory note published on its website the European Medicines Agency (EMA) says that...

The European medicines safety agency is reviewing the safety of the PAH drug selexipag (Uptravi) following the deaths of 5...
medicines

Respiratory physicians not following VTE guidelines: survey

The lack of comprehensive Australian guidelines on venous thromboembolism management is contributing to the undertreatment and overtreatment of patients, a group of doctors say. A recent survey of haematologists and respiratory physicians found 41% of doctors would treat a first...

The lack of comprehensive Australian guidelines on venous thromboembolism management is contributing to the undertreatment and overtreatment of patients, a...
medicines

Codeine to become prescription only

Patients will have to see a doctor to obtain scripts for all codeine-containing medications from February 2018, the TGA has announced. The long-awaited decision is the result of an extensive consultation that saw pressure from pharmacy lobby groups as well as...

Patients will have to see a doctor to obtain scripts for all codeine-containing medications from February 2018, the TGA has...
medicines

Lung preservation technique keeps lungs alive for longer

  A new lung preservation technique can double the amount of time donor lungs can be preserved outside of the body without jeopardising recipient outcomes, a Lancet Respiratory study shows. The generally accepted maximum...

  A new lung preservation technique can double the amount of time...
medicines

Time to speak up about remuneration for sleep and respiratory diagnostics

The use of spirometry and sleep studies in thoracic medicine are set to change under proposed changes to a raft of MBS items relating to these commonly accessed diagnostic tools. The Thoracic Medicine Clinical Committee tasked with reviewing the MBS items...

The use of spirometry and sleep studies in thoracic medicine are set to change under proposed changes to a raft...
medicines

Scientists create the ‘ideal’ opioid

New computerised drug development tools have raised hopes of identifying an ideal opioid that will provide potent central analgesia without harmful respiratory effects, be effective when used as chronic treatment, and not be addic­tive. A study published online in Nature matched...

New computerised drug development tools have raised hopes of identifying an ideal opioid that will provide potent central analgesia without...
medicines

Medical marijuana slashes painkiller prescriptions

US states that have legalised medical marijuana have witnessed a dramatic reduction in the number of prescriptions for painkillers across several diseases, a study shows. The study using Medicare data found the average physician in a state without access to...

US states that have legalised medical marijuana have witnessed a dramatic reduction in the number of prescriptions for painkillers across...
medicines

New drug provides unprecedented cough suppression

A new drug targeting receptors in the vagus nerve provides unprecedented control over refractory chronic cough, but patients can be slow to acknowledge the benefit. Professor Jaclyn Smith, from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, said P2X3 receptors in...

A new drug targeting receptors in the vagus nerve provides unprecedented control over refractory chronic cough, but patients can be...
medicines

TGA approves first NOAC reversal agent

The first reversal agent for a novel oral anticoagulant is now available in Australia. Idarucizumab (Praxbind) manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim is expected to be used in patients taking dabigatran who require reversal of anticoagulation for emergency surgery or who have life-threatening...

The first reversal agent for a novel oral anticoagulant is now available in Australia. Idarucizumab (Praxbind) manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim is...
medicines

Senate overlooked price of cancer drug: experts

Experts have criticised a Senate report on access to innovative  cancer drugs for failing to take into account the impact of drug prices. Published late last year the report titled Availability of new, innovative and specialist cancer drugs in Australia addressed...

Experts have criticised a Senate report on access to innovative  cancer drugs for failing to take into account the impact...
medicines

Wasting away: left over cancer drugs costing billions

Oversized single dose vials of cancer drugs means the US throw away an estimated $3 billion worth of unused drugs each year, researchers say. The team of authors from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York call for an...

Oversized single dose vials of cancer drugs means the US throw away an estimated $3 billion worth of unused drugs...
medicines

Macrolides not linked to arrhythmia

A large study has discovered no link between fluoroquinolone antibiotics and fatal cardiac arrhythmias in older people. The findings fly in the face of previous research that prompted the FDA to issue heart safety warnings on the use of azithromycin. Related story: ...

A large study has discovered no link between fluoroquinolone antibiotics and fatal cardiac arrhythmias in older people. The findings fly in...
medicines

Lower oxygen targets up death and disability in pre-term infants

Reduced oxygen-saturation targets in preterm infants results in significantly higher rates of death and disability at age two years, a combined analysis of UK and Australian trials finds. The Australian Benefits of Oxygen Saturation Targeting (BOOST) II trials enrolled over 2,000 infants...

Reduced oxygen-saturation targets in preterm infants results in significantly higher rates of death and disability at age two years, a...
medicines

New hep c drugs just days away from PBS listing

Liver clinics around Australia are expected to bear the brunt of pent-up demand for PBS access to four new hepatitis C drugs, even though GPs will be able to prescribe the drugs from next week. The antivirals - sofosbuvir and ledipasvir...

Liver clinics around Australia are expected to bear the brunt of pent-up demand for PBS access to four new hepatitis...
medicines

You say NOAC and I say DOAC

The ageing of ‘novel’ or ‘new’ anticoagulants (NOACs) and the imprecise description of the class has prompted calls for a new name – and the likely contender is DOACs. ‘Direct oral anticoagulants’ was the winner when a subcommittee of the International...

The ageing of ‘novel’ or ‘new’ anticoagulants (NOACs) and the imprecise description of the class has prompted calls for a...
medicines

Cardiac risks of macrolides ‘not negligible’

Researchers are warning against overuse of macrolides after their analysis found clarithromycin was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and cardiac mortality. The analysis of cardiac events in almost 110,000 patients taking clarithromycin found it was associated...

Researchers are warning against overuse of macrolides after their analysis found clarithromycin was associated with an increased risk of myocardial...
medicines

Stronger warnings issued for champix

Updated product information for varenicline now includes a warning that consuming alcohol may increase the risk of psychiatric symptoms. The new warning from the TGA stresses that health professionals should discuss the benefits and risks of treatment...

Updated product information for varenicline now includes a warning that consuming alcohol may increase the risk of psychiatric...
medicines

OTC codeine gets a reprieve

Moves to re-schedule over-the-counter codeine products to prescription-only status have been put on hold. The decision on whether to reschedule drugs that contain codeine combinations has been deferred until June 2016 to allow the TGA to evaluate the large number of submissions. The...

Moves to re-schedule over-the-counter codeine products to prescription-only status have been put on hold. The decision on whether to reschedule drugs that...
medicines

Restrict access to overprescribed antimicrobials: Atlas

The first Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation has suggested restricting access to amoxicillin-clauvanate as a way of reducing the high rates of community antimicrobial use. The Atlas, just released by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, shows that 2013–14 more...

The first Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation has suggested restricting access to amoxicillin-clauvanate as a way of reducing the high rates of community...
medicines

OTC NSAIDs get heart warning

Over-the-counter NSAIDs will carry warning labels saying that they may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, the TGA says. From July 2016 labels will be required to include an additional statement that will say: "Excessive use can be...

Over-the-counter NSAIDs will carry warning labels saying that they may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, the TGA...
medicines

Shared decisions reduce antibiotic prescribing for RTIs

When doctors and patients are encouraged to discuss the need for prescribing antibiotics for acute respiratory infections fewer are prescribed, a Cochrane review finds. The review looked at 10 randomized trials that involved more than 1,100 primary care doctors...

When doctors and patients are encouraged to discuss the need for prescribing antibiotics for acute respiratory infections fewer are...
medicines

A call to tweet

If you’ve been procrastinating over whether to get on twitter then this piece of news might push you into action. Because from now on if you want to get published in Thorax you need to get a twitter handle. As part of...

If you’ve been procrastinating over whether to get on twitter then this piece of news might push you into action. Because...
medicines

PBS goes ahead with plans to dispense with common meds

The Government has confirmed it will press ahead with plans to remove common medicines such as paracetamol, aspirin and antacids from the PBS. The decision follows advice from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee announced earlier this year by Health Minister Sussan...

The Government has confirmed it will press ahead with plans to remove common medicines such as paracetamol, aspirin and antacids...
medicines

NOAC reversal agents shouldn’t replace common sense

Last week’s FDA approval of a specific reversal agent for dabigatran and progress in specific antidotes to rivaroxaban and apixaban is reassuring for clinicians but it should not obscure the fact that these drugs are inherently safer than warfarin, says Professor...

Last week’s FDA approval of a specific reversal agent for dabigatran and progress in specific antidotes to rivaroxaban and apixaban...
medicines

Codeine to become prescription only

All codeine-containing analgesics will change from Schedule 3 to Schedule 4 from June 2016, the TGA says. The interim decision by the TGA's Advisory Committee on...

All codeine-containing analgesics will change from Schedule 3 to Schedule 4 from June 2016,...
medicines

Antibiotic dosing strategy doesn’t impact sepsis outcomes

A continuous infusion of antibiotics is no better than intermittent infusion in improving the outcomes of critically ill patients with sepsis, an Australian study finds. The study of 432 patients from 25 ICUs across Australia found no difference...

A continuous infusion of antibiotics is no better than intermittent infusion in improving the outcomes of critically ill patients...
medicines

Champix not linked to suicidal behaviour: study

Concerns that the tobacco quitting drug varenicline (Champix) is associated with an increased risk of suicidality and accidents have not been supported by a large observational study. Researchers from Sweden and Oxford in the...

Concerns that the tobacco quitting drug varenicline (Champix) is associated with an increased risk of suicidality and accidents...
medicines

Respiratory drug development not sophisticated enough

The current approach to drug discovery in respiratory medicine is not sophisticated enough to meet the needs of the industry and patients, an expert group says. At a European Respiratory Society summit set up to identify...

The current approach to drug discovery in respiratory medicine is not sophisticated enough to meet the...
medicines

Antioxidant slows respiratory decline in Duchenne’s: Lancet

A drug initially developed to treat Alzheimer's Disease may be a promising option for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a small phase III study in The Lancet suggests.  The placebo controlled study of 66 patients with...

A drug initially developed to treat Alzheimer's Disease may be a promising option for patients with Duchenne muscular...
medicines

Is the placebo effect in the genes?

The placebo response may be influenced by genetic variations in brain signalling pathways say researchers who suggest 'no-treatment controls' be added to future clinical trials. Writing in Trends in Molecular Medicine Kathyrn Hall and colleagues from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center...

The placebo response may be influenced by genetic variations in brain signalling pathways say researchers who suggest 'no-treatment controls' be...
medicines

Gram-negative resistance a “pressing” concern: experts

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli is a pressing contemporary concern, compounded by the paucity of new antibiotics say infectious disease experts. In a clinical focus article in the MJA the experts from the University of Queensland and Monash Health in Victoria explain...

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli is a pressing contemporary concern, compounded by the paucity of new antibiotics say infectious disease experts. In a...
medicines

Trans-Pacific deal a threat to generics

A leaked draft of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement includes changes to patenting standards that could see cheaper generics delayed by up to 20 years, an expert says. Writing in the MJA Dr Deborah Gleeson from La Trobe University in Melbourne...

A leaked draft of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement includes changes to patenting standards that could see cheaper generics delayed...
medicines

28 interventions not to do

The Choosing Wisely campaign that focuses on cutting down the numbers of unnecessary medical tests and treatments routinely used in primary care has just published its list of 28 recommendations of tests and treatments not to do. This list...

The Choosing Wisely campaign that focuses on cutting down the numbers of unnecessary medical tests and treatments routinely used...
medicines

Fasting diets impact medications

Health professionals have been urged to consider the impact fasting diets could have on their patients' medications. In a letter to the MJA pharmacists from Austin Health in Melbourne write that the popular 5:2 diet, where calorie consumption is restricted...

Health professionals have been urged to consider the impact fasting diets could have on their patients' medications. In a letter...
medicines

Hidden cost of increasing drug co-payment

The proposal by government late last year to increase the co-payment for medications seems to have been swallowed up in the furore around plans that would see patients paying more to see their doctor. But Melbourne researchers...

The proposal by government late last year to increase the co-payment for medications seems to have been...
medicines

Okay to stop antibiotics early

There is no risk — and every advantage — in stopping a course of an antibiotics immediately a bacterial infection has been excluded, an expert says. There is a common misconception that resistance will emerge if a prescribed antibiotic course...

There is no risk — and every advantage — in stopping a course of an antibiotics immediately a bacterial infection...
medicines

For real health reform, turn the spotlight on specialists’ fees

The spotlight needs to be turned on specialists fees which have so far  received little attention in the debate around Medicare reform, says an expert from the Menzies Centre for Health Policy.  The impact of specialist fees on government and patient...

The spotlight needs to be turned on specialists fees which have so far  received little attention in the debate around...
medicines

Equal but not the same: a male bias reigns in medical research

Medical research in Australia is substantially funded by the taxpayer, with the unambiguous goal of improving health for all citizens. But unlike the US, Australia has no policy that requires studies involving human subjects to test both men and women, writes...

Medical research in Australia is substantially funded by the taxpayer, with the unambiguous goal of improving health for all citizens....
medicines

Cochrane co-founder to visit Australia

Co-founder of the Cochrane Collaboration Professor Peter Gotzsche will visit Australia next week to talk about dangers of prescription drugs. Alongside psychiatrists Professor Jon Jureidini and Dr Peter Parry, Gotzsche will argue that the harms of psychiatric drugs have been...

Co-founder of the Cochrane Collaboration Professor Peter Gotzsche will visit Australia next week to talk about dangers of prescription drugs....
medicines

Expensive placebos most effective

Patients may get more benefit from a drug that they think is expensive than one they believe to be cheaper, a study on the effects of placebos shows. The US researchers told 12 patients with Parkinson's disease that they were...

Patients may get more benefit from a drug that they think is expensive than one they believe to be...
medicines

$5 Medicare rebate cut could cost patients up to $40 more

The Christmas-New Year silly season gave Australia three health policies. At the start of December, the policy from the 2014 budget was still on life support. But in mid-December, then-health minister Peter Dutton announced a new rebate reduction...

The Christmas-New Year silly season gave Australia three health policies. At the start of December, the policy from the ...
medicines

Tamiflu analysis slammed by Cochrane

An analysis published in the Lancet that concluded the flu drug Tamiflu (osteltamivir) is effective after all has been slammed by a Cochrane reviewer. The review which looked at 9 studies found the drug reduced flu symptoms by about a day, compared to...

An analysis published in the Lancet that concluded the flu drug Tamiflu (osteltamivir) is effective after all has been slammed by a...
medicines

Change “DNR” to “AND”

Using more positive terminology rather than "Do Not Resuscitate" may help families have open discussions about death, an emergency physicians says. Writing in a letter to the MJA Dr Diana Egerton-Warburton from Monash Health in Melbourne said "allow natural...

Using more positive terminology rather than "Do Not Resuscitate" may help families have open discussions about death, an emergency physicians...
medicines

Why the public should have a say in high-cost drug subsidies

Decisions about public subsidies for high-cost drugs are naturally quite complex. And while patients have increasingly been given a voice in the process, the views of the wider community have generally not been sought. But given the rising cost of...

Decisions about public subsidies for high-cost drugs are naturally quite complex. And while patients have increasingly been given a voice...
medicines

Cashing in on hope: Stem cell tourism risks arrive

Once thought to be a problem only in poorly regulated jurisdictions overseas, unproven stem cell treatments are increasingly being offered in Australia. Now, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is holding a public consultation on whether current regulation of...

Once thought to be a problem only in poorly regulated jurisdictions overseas, unproven stem cell treatments are increasingly being...
medicines

Telehealth gaining traction in US

Patient acceptance of telehealth services is growing in the US, with 64 percent of patients recently surveyed saying they are willing to consider a video chat with their doctor instead of an in-person visit. The survey conducted by...

Patient acceptance of telehealth services is growing in the US, with 64 percent of patients recently surveyed saying...
medicines

Aussie doctors create death checklist

Australian doctors have devised a 29 item checklist that they say predicts the likelihood of death in the elderly. The aim of the list is to kick-start frank discussions about end of life care, and minimise the risk of further futile...

Australian doctors have devised a 29 item checklist that they say predicts the likelihood of death in the elderly. The aim...
medicines

Things your patient wants to tell you

Ever wondered what your patient is REALLY thinking?  Well you may be about to find out as the BMJ has just launched a new series called 'What your patient is thinking'. Patients or carers who interact with the health system...

Ever wondered what your patient is REALLY thinking?  Well you may be about to find out as the BMJ has...
medicines

WHO gives thumbs up for eLearning

eLearning is likely to be as effective as traditional methods for training health professionals, concludes research commissioned by the World Health Organisation. The analysis of 108 studies showed that students acquired knowledge and skills though online and offline learning...

eLearning is likely to be as effective as traditional methods for training health professionals, concludes research commissioned by the...
medicines

Vitamin waters guilty of nutrient overload

Vitamin waters and energy drinks are packed with micronutrients that consumers don't actually need, Canadian research confirms. Micronutrients vitamins B6, B12 and niacin were the most common added nutrients despite young adults -- the likely target group for these...

Vitamin waters and energy drinks are packed with micronutrients that consumers don't actually need, Canadian research confirms. Micronutrients vitamins...
medicines

Statin doubts for women unfounded

Doubts about the benefits of statin therapy for women have been laid to rest by a meta-analysis from Sydney University showing similar efficacy against cardiovascular events for both genders. The meta-analysis of 27 trials published in The Lancet found statin...

Doubts about the benefits of statin therapy for women have been laid to rest by a meta-analysis from Sydney University...
medicines

Nicotine metabolism key to quitting

The success of different smoking cessation treatments could depend on how quickly smokers break down nicotine in their bodies, researchers say. The pharmacogenetic study randomly assigned 1246 smokers (662 slow metabolisers of nicotine and 584 normal metabolisers) to 11 weeks of...

The success of different smoking cessation treatments could depend on how quickly smokers break down nicotine in their bodies, researchers...
medicines

Cure for non-adherence ‘nowhere to be seen’

Researchers need to stop re-inventing the poorly performing 'wheels' of adherence interventions,  a Cochrane review  advises. Low adherence with medications is a ubiquitous problem, found with self administered treatments for all medical conditions. Without considering what has been studied across disease...

Researchers need to stop re-inventing the poorly performing 'wheels' of adherence interventions,  a Cochrane review  advises. Low adherence with medications is...
medicines

Progress for rare disease research

Many barriers exist to studying rare diseases but researchers have shown there are promising research strategies that are gaining interest, particularly around randomised trials. Awareness of these research tools will help investigators design studies in patients with specific rare diseases...

Many barriers exist to studying rare diseases but researchers have shown there are promising research strategies that are gaining...
medicines

“Hard-switch” strategy foiled

Plans by a drug company to "hard-switch" patients to a new formulation of one of its old drugs before its patent ran out has been thwarted by a New York federal court.  Actavis who make the Alzheimer's drug memantine...

Plans by a drug company to "hard-switch" patients to a new formulation of one of its old drugs before its...
medicines

TSANZ awards open for nominations

Are you in awe of a colleague? If so then now is the time to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to respiratory health by nominating them for one of the TSANZs awards due to be presented at the 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting....

Are you in awe of a colleague? If so then now is the time to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to...
medicines

Common painkillers could decrease skin cancer risk

Common over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can decrease risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, according to a study published today in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of...

Common over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can decrease risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, according to a study...
medicines

Media releases blamed for bad reporting

Badly composed university media releases may be the cause of exaggerated health claims made in the mainstream media. The study led by UK and Australian scientists found that 40 per cent of university press releases contained exaggerated...

Badly composed university media releases may be the cause of exaggerated health claims made in the mainstream media....
medicines

Breathe out and lose weight

When people lose weight most of their fat leaves the body by being breathed out as carbon dioxide, making the lungs the primary excretory organ for weight loss, Australian researchers report.  Writing in the BMJ  the authors...

When people lose weight most of their fat leaves the body by being breathed out as carbon dioxide,...
medicines

UK a nation of pill poppers

Nearly half of all women and men are taking prescription drugs the Health Survey for England shows. Statins and pain relief drugs and anti-depressants topped the list of most commonly prescribed drugs....

Nearly half of all women and men are taking prescription drugs the Health Survey for England shows. Statins and...
medicines

Warning against overseas stem cell treatment

Families of children with cerebal palsy have been warned against travelling overseas for experimental stem cell treatment. The RACP say the treatments are too risky and there are concerns the treatments offered by international clinics may not be safe. “Stem...

Families of children with cerebal palsy have been warned against travelling overseas for experimental stem cell treatment. The RACP say...
medicines

Legit scripts driving rise in oxycodone deaths

People with legitimate prescriptions are behind the rise in deaths from the popular pain medicine oxycodone  Melbourne researchers say. Deaths linked to the prescription-only opioid have risen almost seven-fold over a decade, with a 562% increase in oxycodone supply...

People with legitimate prescriptions are behind the rise in deaths from the popular pain medicine oxycodone  Melbourne researchers say....