http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/The latest news from Pharmacy Todayhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5fad2431-0eb6-48b0-b9c9-195528dc3cbc08/09/2010 - Competition has been set aside as three Kaiapoi pharmacies operate out of a single premises in the wake of Saturday’s devastating earthquake. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=bff9446b-2c5c-4408-a2af-6963edc38a13Five pharmacies in the Christchurch central business district are being advised to stay closed in the wake of Saturday's earthquake. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c5d45a3e-30f6-477d-adc5-f6c73bb3fa0601/09/2010 - A survey exploring pharmacists’ views on professional development programmes has thrown up some damning evidence against the Pharmaceutical Society’s Enhance programme.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=08088698-a0c9-4302-a4d2-28f285dcd7e830/08/2010 Care Chemist is giving customers a free Pain Control Wheel in an attempt to reduce the number of accidental overdosing on pain control medicines.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=baa14585-b278-4991-a99f-92361477ab6e27/08/2010 Medsafe has ordered fifth patient level recall for 2010, this time for one batch of Novo Nordisk’s GlucaGen Hypokit 1mg injection. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=64841527-c609-4819-b5f6-b94a3ff40d6e27/08/2010 RETIRED Pukekohe pharmacist Samuel Ross Pulman has been jailed for five years and eight months for supplying pseudoephedrine to a methamphetamine ring.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8c005f82-fca3-4ac5-b775-4882dcfa932925/08/2010 - Christchurch pharmacist and recent armed hold-up victim Alan Bastin has a message of support for his Auckland peer Grant Gillard: “There but for the grace of God go I. I think every pharmacist in New Zealand could say that.” http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0d2cea59-617b-4052-98b2-a7756153da6f25/08/2010 - Pharmacybrands has become the country’s first community pharmacy group to effect a change in the strict classification of a prescription medicine. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ad16af73-d0e5-48e0-9985-62e8739393a219/08/2010 - Bayer NZ general manager of consumer care, Heiko Petersen, is leaving at the end of the year, moving within the company to head up a region of seven markets in south-eastern Europe. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cada693a-b6b8-4156-9bd1-f1cee8dd919319/08/2010 - The Pharmac Board has appointed five new members to the Consumer Advisory Committee. The appointments follow a review of the committee’s terms of reference. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=49c16983-0617-411e-b2bf-45eb112cd43818/08/2010 - Pharmac has delisted Lorstat, the cheaper generic version of atorvastatin, within weeks of announcing a sole supply agreement with Mylan NZ. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=413cc6f5-01ab-4dc9-a9b5-4f41d8668ea8The Capital & Coast DHB is setting up an email hotline for community pharmacists to report any general issues they may have with discharge and outpatient prescriptions. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0a5a7a96-4c4a-4253-b19f-1f928ccfe01c13/08/2010 Pharmac funding for Alzheimer’s drug, donepezil, will commence from 1 November. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2baf8b70-f075-4c8b-a66e-3aab873fd88313/08/2010 - Consumers are being advised to immediately stop taking four “herbal” products for erectile dysfunction or the enhancement of sexual performance as they have been found to contain undeclared prescription medicines. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3aaf4785-0cac-4afe-9156-5e926b45df6311/08/2010 A snapshot survey of prescriptions issued by Wellington Hospital doctors has highlighted several hairy issues affecting a vast majority of patients.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e51642ad-3cf9-4af1-90d9-50da66b87aaf09/08/2010 Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has for the first time registered a herbal medicine based on its efficacy. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cc365811-e4ea-46dd-bba2-83f111d1446c06/08/2010 There's good news for people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia who have been awaiting funded access to the drug donepezil.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=60b56fc2-9aa9-4cfc-9ce0-13b930ca127404/08/2010 - Revised recall procedures for medicines and medical devices are now ready for your feedback. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2ceb646c-77e7-459b-8029-e82736040b5e04/08/2010 - The pharmaceutical industry would like to see the government fund the best medications for New Zealanders rather than focussing on the cheapest. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a8b87a6a-900b-4f18-b59f-3f1ace32cf4503/08/2010 Pharmac-administered exceptional circumstances schemes are being reviewed to provide better access to medicines not funded through the Pharmaceutical Schedule.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e8f23e32-9f08-4120-8d0c-52f43c7b707a03/08/2010 - A range of private label products is to be launched exclusively in Pharmacybrands pharmacies.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7bd9e913-e5ec-49f7-a4fb-4b215cf081e603/08/2010 - The benefits of calcium supplements in strengthening bones outweigh any known risks, says the New Zealand Self Medication Industry (NZSMI). http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=11d36d74-c2b1-42fe-a13c-b4bf3841c2fc30/07/2010 Bastin’s Pharmacy in Christchurch has been robbed at gun point. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=70315e7b-5601-4cfe-a0a9-183d3a05db0d29/07/2010 - The New Zealand Medical Association’s negative reaction to pharmacy’s Anti-coagulation Management Service pilot is knee jerk, says Pharmaceutical Society president Elizabeth Plant.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2d386dce-a7c2-43dd-80b1-c5818f060c7e28/07/2010 At least one community pharmacist has put his hand up to contest a seat on his local district health board, while another one is hoping for re-election to continue his campaign for pharmacy. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cc76274f-ac5c-45a6-af6a-a3411dcb304b26/07/2010 WOMEN wanting longer-term contraception will have a new funded option from 1 August, following Pharmac decision to fund the Jadelle implants (levonorgestrel 75mg).http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b7fc82b3-9ade-4d38-b3e6-4e409206520322/07/2010 PHARMAC will take over the procurement and management of all hospital medicines from district health boards. Will have a say in the purchase of medical devices as well.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8ecc257b-5a49-4248-a02a-dac6932bbacd22/07/2010 FROM May 2011, cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan and phenylephrine meant for children under-12 will go Pharmacy Only.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6d2fb6ca-4b26-402c-bb7a-f607ec2f216e22/07/2010 - Atlantis healthcare plans to use $20m it has received in venture capital investment to fund overseas expansion and research and development activities.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1d986e74-deef-46f2-9378-c2bf806be7b321/07/2010 - The Royal NZ College of GPs will work with the Pharmacy Council on further development of the proposed pharmacist prescriber scope of practice.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=585c6122-9b42-45bf-b1e8-e3cdcf70ccf720/07/2010 - Listed pharmacy group Pharmacybrands Limited (NZX: PHB) wants to provide a broader range of pharmacist-led primary health care services through its network of 257 pharmacies. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ccb23118-94aa-4557-a964-9224d8d91ca916/07/2010 - The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the use of Allergan's neurotoxin Botox as a preventive treatment for chronic migraine.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=53ffd3f2-e56e-4bb1-8590-3cd6cec24c6714/07/2010 - Pharmacies in greater Auckland and Northland are becoming part of a regional initiative to improve information sharing among community and hospital providers.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0bb30cb7-c860-46f9-91b2-cdfdedea938d12/07/2010 - MIMS Integrated for GPs will cease to carry pharmaceutical advertising from 1 August and will become purely a subscription-based service. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d1ac89cd-d629-46cc-addd-dedb91644b0008/07/10 - A new website featuring case studies of prescription errors has been launched by the Pharmacy Defence Association. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0ec1bc9c-4e02-416c-8504-c677c3d995ab07/07/2010 - More than 200kg of medicines were returned by the residents of Nelson Bays during a campaign to dispose of unwanted medicines through pharmacies. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=73ff0dbc-a7e5-4d17-af2b-b60b03dfd8f405/07/2010 - Several community pharmacies are participating in a new polypill trial being launched through the University of Auckland. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=70a3fb84-7b05-492d-ba2c-2a82d07a630b02/07/2010 - Care Chemist chief executive Nicolette McDonald has resigned from her position after four and a half years and is returning to her roots as a community pharmacist. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9efc50c2-38c8-4d28-bd8d-47bf5208ae2630/06/2010 - Auckland pharmacist Albert Jordaan has taken GlaxoSmithKline to the disputes tribunal to recover payment for the work he did on Marevan recall in January. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=748c91dc-e180-4d01-abfe-d5e88ece54fb30/06/2010 - A Hamilton pharmacist found guilty of professional misconduct for inappropriately contacting three women has been named. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e9c40caa-be9b-4edf-b3c4-d11a9d99371328/06/2010 - The Pharmacy Guild has expressed concern over the easy availability of parecetamol without phamacists' advice.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2938487c-476f-49e5-91db-b552ca0acec425/06/2010 - A new drug for type 2 diabetes—dapagliflozin—acts independently of insulin, improves blood sugar control, and lowers bodyweight, a study says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=beb97eee-a76d-44fb-92c6-d37183713fd625/06/2010 - A pharmacist‘s registration has been suspended for six months after he was found guilty of professional misconduct for predatory behaviour towards three women. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=65c846af-569c-4311-99c7-99f77c758f8924/06/2010 - Long-term use of ginkgo biloba extract may have some protective effect against Alzheimer's disease, French scientists say. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cdb933be-1316-45c8-bb97-33f36275f13f23/06/2010 - Pharmacy is encouraged to get active against Seasonal Affective Disorder.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c5df574d-f54a-4ded-9593-0ad4fe775c9722/06/2010 - The voluntary recall of certain hair and eyelash dye products has created widespread confusions among retail pharmacies. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f0a14b04-7925-43ef-b3ab-ca1f791c7d1121/06/2010 - A low uptake of chlamydia testing among male visitors to Waikato’s Fieldays is unlikely to deter Hamilton’s Pharmacy 547 from offering a similar service next year. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b7c22171-d912-4aad-b496-ca7ff5eab58616/06/2010 - Community pharmacy’s role in cardiovascular health could be much more than handing out information brochures coupled with advice on how to take medicines properly. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=82a77b96-3811-4c28-a1f0-a4fefedf734415/06/2010 - A selection of photos from the 2010 Pharmacy Awards.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b4d2874e-a828-4f89-b9df-e58ebc7fb50b14/06/2010 - Hamilton's Pharmacy 547 was the shining light of the 2010 Pharmacy Today/ ProPharma Pharmacy Awards held on Saturday.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9b3f475b-ca4b-487b-9677-6e578ce0decf11/06/2010: The Pharmacy Council has released the consultation document on the proposed pharmacist prescriber scope of practice. Submissions open until 7 July. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1fb69d59-b784-4760-8266-768a02f0e41911/06/2010: Makers of cough and cold medicines say they are keen to work with Medsafe to ensure relabelling of such medicines does not create additional costs for consumers or suppliers. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=dd689ccc-703a-4ad4-be85-de37d9a8ad2711/06/2010: Christchurch pharmacist Karen Crisp has been named Vice President of the Pharmacy Guild.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2658a117-ca55-4e2c-953c-c27043012dd410/06/2010 The government has appointed an interim board that will work towards establishing the new independent Health Quality and Safety Commission. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5d76b28f-082c-49a0-89c9-0c60c84ee39709/06/2010 - The Pharmacy Council is revising the Code of Ethics and has releasd a draft of the updated document for sector wide consulation. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d5f8d13a-fcef-47d5-a1e7-0257e5fb1bd508/06/2010 - Graeme Douglas is no stranger to the pharmacy world. However, as of yesterday, he will be known by a different name - Sir Graeme.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c7b3b4ba-c6b5-46e7-bcf2-e47bae190cea08/06/2010 Cough and cold Medicines for children under 12 years old will now be sold only in pharmacies, except those containing honey, lemon etc.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6ef903df-66e1-49ab-a515-161180741a6903/06/2010: Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced a review of pharmacy recalls by his ministry. The review will start on 8 June and be completed within a month.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=aad4f335-5f03-4705-8422-e43f9e540d2002/06/2010 - Medsafe is reviewing its Code of Recalls following the recent spate of consumer level recalls.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4dceae19-4e63-40a7-9060-01afa2f9635e01/06/2010 - A new study confirms a link between obesity and asthma. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ba7c890d-2a21-4590-af91-8140ccd46baf28/05/2010 - Pharmacists have been asked to bear the burden of the latest recall by contacting 43,000 patients throughout New Zealand who have been dispensed the drug since January. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1008a053-cf4f-4d33-97f0-83df02cadadb28/05/2010 - The Pharmacy Council has come out in support of pharmacists being financial compensated for the Pacific Atenolol recall. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7c16aef0-2e3b-44c0-9d63-919046760da528/05/2010 - Medsafe has released details on the clinical significance of the overweight and underweight Mylan New Zealand's Pacific Atenolol tablets.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2549cd90-4ee1-4f55-9fed-47a591a6627e27/05/2010 - The fourth consumer level recall in the past five months has rattled community pharmacy due to the additional burden it places on their daily workload, with no compensation.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=51dabb2e-2589-42e7-8ef0-74eed0e10d3127/05/2010 - Mylan New Zealand is now recalling all Pacific Atenolol 50mg and 100mg tablets.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2581c9b4-0b06-4dc1-8ac1-10653cb4811426/05/2010 - Stalemate continues between Temuka Pharmacy and South Canterbury DHB as pharmacist Allan Campbell refuses to sign the pharmacy agreement. He is now demanding mediation. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c4a8ae97-26de-46ff-bdde-a280d2d74e2626/05/2010 - Eating raw crayfish has landed six people in the US in hospital with a severe parasitic infection. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=15ff5704-5373-461a-9aa3-a2cb742086f826/05/2010 - Older patients battling pneumonia spent less time in the hospital when treated using osteopathic manipulative medicine in addition to conventional care, research shows.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=45a5c500-1246-4811-926e-4d655aad66cdPatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may have fewer respiratory flare-ups and longer survival if they take beta-blockers, according to a study.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fe9d1257-5f9c-4c04-abde-7281bb6f001eFunding for medicines will increase by $80m over the next four years, with $40m of this coming out of DHBs’ budgets and an extra $40m from the government. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=13386b7a-80b0-4e1d-b2eb-80dd10c95935Community pharmacy is hoping DHBs will be able to use some of the $2.1 billion extra in Vote Health to improve funding for pharmacy services.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ce89ed8b-64b8-4884-83a3-8112730aee46Surprise drop of the company tax rate to 28% gives NZ business the opportunity to invest in themselves, grow and employ, Auckland Chamber of Commerce says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=49144a29-e139-4aaf-b067-bdb03ffbca44The government’s squeeze on escalating health spend, announced in today’s budget, need not hurt patients, Medical Technology Association of New Zealand says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=76040f4e-6891-46f8-8ad8-5c1d9cc3a239Care Chemist customers will get a free gum health check and 10% discount on treatments at Lumino, The Dentist this month as part of pharmacy group's ‘Save Your Smile’ campaign. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e9988c45-0b26-48ec-9434-a79f5d4c037cPharmacy Guild has endorsed Markhams as its preferred supplier of financial and accounting services for guild members.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8d68099b-0379-4c36-b05d-f8f495ff1fb1Dame Susan Devoy will team up with Vicks this winter in an initiative to help combat pneumonia – the biggest killer of children in developing countries http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1e3d916b-7e21-490e-bd08-333689144946Pharmacists are being asked to play an influential role in the vitamin D programme recently launched by Accident Compensation Corporation.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=da0bc96b-2efe-442b-9c3a-9e404dd230bdCommunity pharmacy is having to deal with yet another consumer level recall of a drug, the third since January. This time, it is Mylan NZ’s heart drug Pacific Atenolol 50mg tablets.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4f9802f1-db17-4149-a8a2-2e7a933ae809Minister of Health Tony Ryall has formally released a report that looks at ways to improve access to high cost, highly specialised medicines.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=070c0ddd-cb26-43f5-b1e6-78c793ce6726Kiwi biotech firm BLIS Technologies Ltd has received a prestigious award in the US for brand performance in both NZ and overseas markets.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f31a57b9-ba55-486e-a94e-bac015e845a3New Zealand and Australia are the first countries to get access to the world’s first intradermal influenza vaccine for the prevention of seasonal influenza in adults this year.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d213cca7-4a1b-4bb3-aa2b-169a004c42b4Pharmacies are advised to immediately stop selling the following products for erectile dysfunction: SZM Formula for Men, Stallion, Volcanic and Tomcat Ali.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b9bac418-e70a-4f4a-b1b4-59f09b6766e3For people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, the decade long wait is finally over.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e20c8875-adc3-445d-bf03-d25ea94db00eA new publication that lists medicines formulated for children is being made available online by UNICEF and WHO. It will help obtain some of the 240 essential medicines that can save the lives of children. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=407e546f-77bf-4bed-8415-1d78d1ec4271A combination of antibiotics has proved effective treatment for Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis - a major step forward in the management, and possibly cure, of this disease. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9d17c0a5-52e9-493e-b8f6-483fa645342bPolytherapy with multiple anti-epileptic drugs does not result in greater adverse effects than monotherapy for patients with refractory epilepsy, researchers say. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=96127e3e-a5ba-4447-92e9-cd749d936b12Medsafe has approved Wyeth’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar 13. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ba289b6d-a8d8-47a4-ac7c-e1c807ad8a3fTe Anau pharmacist Julian Trevor Price has been found guilty of professional misconduct by Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3198e8c5-b3ae-4ad6-855f-1287b566c6a2“The entire health sector is in transition and we need to ensure that pharmacy is ready and willing to take advantage of the opportunities as they arise.” http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a8edb32d-db23-4f33-887b-300608602c07Lauric acid, found in both coconut oil and human breast milk, shows promise as new acne treatment and a researcher has developed a nano delivery system to deliver lauric acid directly into acne.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0ed5f290-d26f-4344-a9ca-be9fb6a7249fCare Chemist has launched a campaign to draw attention to the health risks associated with not getting enough sleep over winter. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2f7a7ff3-8e38-4d61-bdae-6260baf6674bBaxter Healthcare is partnering with the World Federation of Haemophilia to launch a video podcast highlighting risk factors for inherited bleeding disorders, treatment options and new research. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d2b472f2-3988-49b9-b1cf-c7ff19995de3The winter flu season now starts a month earlier, from 1 April every year, according to the new medicines classification for Tamiflu, which has replaced all previous classifications.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=88276a38-0e93-4d66-b978-ec6d802adb9fSupply of medicines and other pharmacy services at Tokoroa Hospital will be taken over by Waikato Hospital from 1 July.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2ff3feda-8b3f-457d-b7db-1ff725e18fcbScientists say particle size affects the toxicity of zinc oxide, a material widely used in sunscreens, leading to concerns over unintended exposure to nano-sized zinc oxide from kids accidentally ingesting sunscreens.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c90822aa-36ef-487e-8e16-46fcad1e650cA Canadian researcher has found more than 20 compounds in pure maple syrup from Canada that have been linked to human health. Thirteen of these are newly discovered in maple syrup. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d67db3c2-c861-4157-82be-98dbc8fe8129Researched Medicines Industry Association elected four new members to its board at its annual general meeting held in Auckland on 24 March. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=03f0c58d-98cf-447d-a6b5-b74f4dff46beNew Zealanders living with dry eye now have another option with the launch of a new product this month. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=26639da0-51b2-4d98-85ec-096eaf92616fOn 23 February Pharmacy Today published an online news story about 4Jointz cream. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b9bf771f-58b0-4b36-bdd1-ee50bf114488Pharmacy Guild is taking GlaxoSmithKline to court to get compensation for the community pharmacies that worked on the consumer level recall of Marevan (warfarin) 3mg tablets. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=597de027-7bc6-423c-ad6b-505f535c7fe5The Pharmacy Guild is calling for appropriate compensation for pharmacy's work during product recalls.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1e27a173-bb71-4ab4-ab54-7b561c977a63GPs and pharmacists will be working more closely following a ground breaking agreement between the Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b398bece-28d5-41f6-b922-da074ca34b14Mylan NZ is recalling batch 9F282A of Respigen inhalers because a small number of inhalers from this batch may deliver doses of salbutamol that are inconsistent with that stated on the label.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c06d1c57-0b4c-41ea-82c0-0c2e18ebff0eCapadex and Paradex can no longer be sold in New Zealand from 1 August as Medsafe revokes permission to distribute medicines containing dextropropoxyphene in New Zealand. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8712b6f0-1ca9-4d22-980d-05dfda51e086Many children with severe food-related allergic reactions need a second dose of epinephrine, suggesting they should carry two doses of EpiPens, not one.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=77dccc30-37d1-4764-8039-a6ae92cb3569Gaining weight is a worry for many, especially women, trying to give up smoking. But a combination of specialised weight loss counselling alongside taking the drug Zyban may boost their chances of quitting.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=15175850-f48d-4d71-a056-4fe01eeef888The Ministry of Health has launched a two-month public consultation on a proposed regulatory scheme for the fast-growing natural health products industry. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c2fc1b0b-4661-4648-be62-f943d918a8e3New nicotine replacement products, such as sachets of tobacco, may be added to the existing range of funded NRT to help smokers quit.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=91d864a4-e494-43b2-9e9a-1308f842f7b1Bat and bird droppings are the major ingredient in counterfeit Viagra stopped at New Zealand’s border, GNS Science principal scientist Dallas Mildenhall says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3119676c-1ad5-402a-b83c-73052e9dccc6Community pharmacies are well-placed to step into the gaps where PHOs are struggling to meet community health needs, Pharmacy Guild says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=33a7aec9-1de9-49b8-98de-b5fd4942dd3eCare Chemist has launched a campaign to reduce New Zealanders’ high blood pressure levels and help cut 16 deaths attributed to heart disease every day.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7972d35a-c8a3-4cfa-beeb-8ec66358d8f6US researchers suggest vitamin D lifts mood during cold, winter months when days are short and more time is spent indoors. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=30aa96fa-01d8-4ef4-8ce4-c497e76de293Pharmacists could be integral to the education and screening of people for osteoporosis, as they are easily accessible and are playing a greater role in health promotion and disease prevention. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c46d3149-e5e3-4b4b-8079-6055d11277ddProducts containing ion exchange resins have been used for over 50 years in patients with dangerously high levels of potassium. However, a paper has raised doubts over their efficacy. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=71bfc83d-1127-4cd1-87be-b366df2b340fAn analysis of comparative effectiveness studies finds few compare medications with non-pharmacologic interventions, and few examine safety or cost-effectiveness. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=244443d1-6dd3-4d8c-a277-3ee22bee2f25Pharmacy Guild supports Medsafe’s proposal to reclassify some cough and cold medicines to be sold only in pharmacies and says the move is towards patient safety. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=bb8d2a56-8e12-4429-9682-4194c26c3d7cWomen with normal weight who drink light to moderate amount of alcohol appear to gain less weight and have a lower risk of becoming overweight and obese than non-drinkers. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=524c4892-5f8e-44c7-adf9-782ebd5e0106AstraZeneca is to reduce its staff and cease research into several diseases as part of a wide ranging restructuring, the UK's Financial Times reports. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c67d8507-80da-48d1-8d24-a31f19d8ec06Food & Grocery Council has come out strongly in protest against the proposal to limit the sale of cough and cold products to pharmacy only. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f6ed3ae5-2a3c-4b34-b30f-432f583f5c16Otago University researchers say increased exposure either to television or computer screens amongst teenagers is linked with poorer relationships. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=00c62728-18f0-4ed9-b777-c62949380b90Non-traditional therapies relieve pain among a wide range of hospitalized patients as much as 50 per cent, according to a first-of-a-kind study. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=139fc3da-c492-4ce1-856e-d570f3b8064aChildren who have both their parents develop schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to develop a psychiatric condition, a study says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b185ba7d-3d2f-4760-bb83-021efaf25ae3Suicide rates are on the decline, but more men than women are still killing themselves. Menline, the only helpline for men in distress, is closing. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e3a694fe-f3f4-45a3-a895-5c51ff71d84fFish oil manufacturers and pharmacies selling the supplements are being sued in the US over the purported toxicity of the product. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=20366f75-35ec-4141-a206-7b98ee176366Big pharma companies will struggle to profit from the expanding cardiovascular disease market over the next decade despite growing drug usage, a report says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=84090281-d70c-4b3e-8c83-c58de2bad81dNatural Health Laboratories has launched a new dietary supplement with claims it helps keep the immune system in balance by turning it up or down, as required. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1f7ccb9c-326e-4afa-afeb-c9b0645ea165Medsafe takes too long to register Over the Counter (OTC) medicines and the timings could be significantly shortened, in line with other developed countries, SMI says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9fd1273f-3733-4ba7-86e8-9fdc0c399483Obesity is associated with an increased risk of depression, and depression also seems increase the risk of obesity, according to a meta-analysis.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e6cbfaa8-3f99-4399-bf19-1f200a3c44eeThe extract from a vegetable that is common in India and China may help kill breast cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying, a US researcher claims. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b6924dbe-c563-45d3-b9d4-2a9b5d8417f8Young adults who have used cannabis or marijuana for a longer period of time appear more likely to suffer from psychosis, according to a new study. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=26eb5838-8c48-4d82-a9c6-7878b64209daThe Radius Pharmacy sponsored the Arthritis New Zealand Charity Golf Tournament, held at Paraparaumu Golf Course on 25 February.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=af8bcb91-8a8d-471d-b5ac-1c29a44a9939Clinicians are being asked for their views on Pharmac having a greater role in the purchase of hospital medicines.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3004fe8a-3cdd-42e9-856e-350fa5f211e3Flouride toothpaste and anti-dandruff shampoo may no longer need approval before hitting the shelves.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=92af8097-5601-4ad7-a64f-e487dbd6ce2fBenzyl Alcohol Lotion is the new non-neurotoxic treatment for head lice which has been found to have an average of 91.2% treatment success rate after one week. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7894f87d-4fc0-4353-a1bb-8c7b05242b85Australian researcher Michael Wonder has found 33 new medicines reimbursed by the Australian Government that, even now, are not reimbursed in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=894c37f5-7c73-41a9-8278-d32bfd48efb4The Pharmacy Guild thinks those who can afford it should pay $15 instead of $3 when they pick up their prescription. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=634eebde-810f-4160-9bf5-83e25bbcf3d6GSK has voluntarily stopped the manufacture, distribution and advertising of Polident Extra Holdhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f253bb4c-d412-4efc-872b-2596a715ea3bMen who suffer from premature ejaculation can now take an oral medicine to treat the condition.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e949f4a5-7b3d-44f6-b9b2-382f9e9f7837Manufacturers of counterfeit prescription drugs are embracing new tactics to thwart efforts to deal with an estimated $75-billion-year market in knockoffs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0e2b900d-f32f-4258-bcbc-7b76eac113b4Pharmacy Guild has urged the Health Minister to appoint a community pharmacist as a member on the newly established Quality & Safety Improvement Commission.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a13d7c97-7cb5-4908-a481-1d3f0b316de2The US scientists are claiming a major advancement in the development of a new category of painkillers, called TRPV1 antagonists.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e9ce7950-aab4-4ccb-99e2-7ff95bd4ad8bCapadex and Paradex have been withdrawn from the New Zealand market after a review highlighting their risks.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=374229d5-f26a-4b7c-b90e-e562ddd6c83fProfessor Stephen Duffull has been appointed as the next dean of the University of Otago's School of Pharmacy.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=938f9305-d74b-4f60-880a-b83ed4a45a38Dr Te Kani Kingi is the new lay member of the Pharmacy Council.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=574a2fc3-8259-41b1-b9f4-068d76b4035bChai Chuah has been appointed as the National Director of the National Health Board.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=847a0ce1-4ce3-4225-8937-0ad92e6506c2Care Chemist has launched a campaign to highlight the link between skin cancer and wearing lip gloss in the sun. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1585bff8-e497-4fd0-becc-b5b8e09b9555Pharmacists to help with mass recall of Marevan (warfarin) 3mg tabletshttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=56994903-3dc4-470a-9dc1-8fd585eef6e1More than 300 British sceptics will attempt to “overdose” on homeopathic medicines in a protest at the continued marketing of these products.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=41976ae3-7fa9-4c52-b9db-e109b8746c34Nutrition supplements may help boost mental health, a study by the University of Canterbury suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f03a8ad5-28bf-4374-acee-1212ea5fba37Pharmacists may have experienced an increase in sales of NRT products as customers make quitting smoking their New Year’s resolution.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=03263895-0a5b-478b-95c0-8726cf8aa693Too many patients arrive at hospital without their medication, or do not know the name of the medication they are taking, Hawke’s Bay Hospital pharmacy manager Billy Allan says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=245ca9da-916b-4376-ba29-d293da9e0552Infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of obesity and type2 diabetes in adolescence and adulthood.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ae977f98-7dca-4751-adf1-f095a89b4aceAn Auditor-General’s report, which slams rest home auditing agencies, has been welcomed by Health Minister Tony Ryall who says the Government accepts all its recommendations. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=70f42af3-a6d0-45dc-90a1-62a43e24dc58European Union antitrust regulators have made surprise raids on the offices of drug manufacturing companies in several European countries. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=453d1087-15e3-455b-8674-b00903efd72dCervarix, the HPV vaccine from GSK, offers sustained protection beyond six years from infection against HPV-16 and 18, the most common variants associated with cervical cancer. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0f173526-2a5a-40e9-a69f-916b9616c1fbDrug companies are likely to face higher taxes as a result of changing business models and government pressure in the face of global financial crises.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2d3a2674-21fe-4a6f-a9db-1362252e67f3GSK is believed to have paid out nearly $1 billion to settle lawsuits relating to Paxil (paroxetine) since the antidepressant was brought to market in 1993, according to a Bloomberg report. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ef2adaa1-b032-447c-929c-2df426db3244Encourage your patients to access free health advice through healthline during holidays, if they are away. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=06643a1f-f4ed-4227-89e3-5264513813abRegular brushing and flossing can help ageing adults keep their thinking skills intact.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a68ef979-8692-4f9c-a274-a906ea3044c6Steroids bought illegally through underground labs and over the internet generally aren’t what their labels say they are, researchers said at the recent American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry’s annual meeting in Los Angeles.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4b81c7b6-8626-41d2-97a3-7223c4e6b06cPseudoephedrine-containing cough and cold preparations will continue to be available over the next winter season, and can be sold without prescription until any regulatory change occurs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1998eb31-f6cb-4bc2-ae4d-d323bdc64d57New evidence shows teens become addicted to smoking more easily than adults.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=17647715-6153-4308-99b4-7ffb1d2ed2a3High-flow oxygen is an effective treatment for cluster headaches, British researchers have found.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3cd33126-8a12-4f13-b62c-8afcd26e593eThe New Zealand Self-Medication Industry is disappointed at measures which will make it more difficult for consumers to purchase OTC pain relievers containing codeine.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=10e07a77-885d-4b3b-bdc0-402dd863e2cbThe New Zealand Cancer Society is sounding warning bells about sunscreen regulation changes in Australia which may confuse the public over here.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=03539c37-7d30-4cee-8753-c7c6b775d26aNearly 70 per cent of general practice patients would rather have a clever doctor than a nice doctor, a small survey shows. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=81dee57c-5f05-49c8-8504-85567558f94cWe know New Zealand can be smokefree by 2020, Prudence Stone, director of the Smokefree Coalition said at a recent seminar in Wellington.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=eb514cd9-5901-4d3e-a6f5-0edfbc73ff20Medsafe is aware of the international concerns of weight-loss drug Reductil (sibutramine) and is also reviewing the risks.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8bf4c729-d1c4-4338-80b4-647d1bd60cfcPromoting competition through its purchasing strategies is continuing to provide long-term benefits, Pharmac says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ee6e8b04-b41a-49e6-850d-75c4461f61e4Prescriptions for government funded medicines increased by almost 4% last year to 36.3 million, but the rate of growth is slowing, Pharmac says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3e9c6275-e636-47a8-b4af-2f6747c512fcThe New Zealand Drug Foundation has expressed deep concern over attempts to promote ibogaine as an alternative treatment of drug addiction. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6e9f5777-de52-4c27-ba21-ba8179ea6ec0No pharmacists are among the ministerial appointees on the National Health Board, with seven of the ten new names announced today being doctors and nurses.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=27bbb91b-e647-4678-8137-d3575e944eaaMedsafe is reminding pharmacists and prescribers to warn patients while dispensing or prescribing a medicine that may cause drowsiness.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0de6c911-e4b4-48b9-baf7-f8521334cd90New Zealanders are avoiding important visits to health professionals and putting off surgical procedures due to financial pressures, according to a survey conducted for the Southern Cross. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1eee422d-02cc-47d9-9781-83f80c9de360Nearly half of all Kiwis have in some way been affected by mental illness, a new study suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2f020c0f-9758-4b00-bfde-8ad83ac66660Pharmacybrands Limited will be the name of the new business entity following the merger of Life Pharmacy Limited and Pharmacybrands.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0efd6de9-72fc-4231-83c2-f4e8c757dbeeThe cardiovascular risks associated with Merck’s Vioxx (rofecoxib) were detected as early as December 2000, long before the drug was withdrawn, a meta-analysis suggests. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0a956f46-85b9-4db3-84bf-f62424686d8bThe Researched Medicines Industry (RMI) has appointed Auckland-based lawyer, Lex Henry, as its chair.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ea29a727-0505-4f17-a9db-5400ecbb84c4Doctors and nurses have taken a stand against alcohol abuse by submitting a public editorial to the Law Commission.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ff0aa4d2-9053-4a9e-bed1-9dd0a72fbdcfNew Zealand’s involvement in a five-day programme to combat the online supply of dangerous and illegal medicines resulted in 280 packages being detained by Customs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=106db38f-d14a-4a3e-b6aa-9335672d068bNew Zealand’s needle exchange programme is one of the most successful in the world.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0bed662f-7c96-41fa-beea-aa41dc18aad6Pharmaceutical companies have met to decide how online advertising for drugs should be regulated.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=213a535a-4566-46b0-9e0e-dfd66b3e285cMedsafe has issued a warning that 65 supposedly New Zealand websites offering herbal products are actually overseas websites and are touting unapproved herbal products.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=603762c7-831d-4c83-951e-43ea2347dff9After a decade in the job, Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson has resigned.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8467f4d4-afae-4f9d-af2a-b502c144c057Low levels of vitamin D can greatly increase the chances of a stroke or heart disease, new research from the United States shows. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=855194ec-3ca7-4af1-a8ef-1a55848bcb59A Wellington doctor has created a skincare range to to help exercise fans avoid premature ageing. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cf2aa94c-7bec-4295-bcab-b676fb8c3109Top public health research bodies are working together to curb the pandemic of chronic diseases which is set to kill hundreds of millions of people prematurely.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=700d889e-2ee0-4836-9fba-5eb26687061fThe University of Auckland’s Grafton Campus, which includes the School of Pharmacy, will receive a $400,000 facelift thanks to a donation from the Auckland Medical Research Foundation.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b5f45d35-d8ea-48cc-ae2b-e74369dec4e8Greater attention should be paid to patients’ health before and while they are on the methadone programme.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d4b6646f-5fc7-427f-81e5-5d179e46f50fIMS Health is being sold to investment funds TPG Capital and CPP Investment Board in a deal valued at US$5.2 billion. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=55ea19a8-b2da-4502-8caa-84d4fa185d47Pfizer has announced consolidation if its global research and development network as part of its integration with Wyeth.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=628cfbee-643e-4b3b-bc06-705d7100e469Party pills face further regulation as dimethylamylamine, the alternative to BZP, is to be scheduled as a restricted substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=aa43b543-5a91-444a-9681-d6643edb5e5aOver-prescribing of antibiotics is causing a rise in drug-resistant bacteria that poses a risk to the effectiveness of modern medicines, a European health expert says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1cf3fbc6-8748-4cd6-8f37-b39976cae1f2Skin cancer costs the New Zealand health system in excess of $57 million a year, and this does not take into account more indirect costs such as loss of productivity.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9a63b339-b384-4742-9977-ed80f440e9c9Twenty heart failure patients in Auckland are using mobile technology to transmit their daily health readings, without having to step foot into a hospital. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4709995e-1259-4052-9b51-9c57376ee3adWomen have been told to take folic acid throughout pregnancy but this may not be the best advice.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6274f951-55f9-427a-b4d7-6c51482c1ad0A new weight-loss drug is helping obese patients shed up to 7.2kg in 20 weeks, a Danish study shows.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0ad2d63a-44fe-4a62-933c-9a2865ec1dc6A new painkiller, claimed to be the world’s first combination paracetamol and ibuprofen drug, will soon be stocking New Zealand pharmacy shelves. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=19ad9cca-4f2e-43be-b8b0-8c52bd3ad44aNext winter’s seasonal influenza vaccine will help more people fight swine flu.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=dfd7e03d-a846-4183-8c87-0d1119e0cbc0From November 1, a new type of antidepressant drug mirtazapine (Avanza) will be funded for people who have tried other types of antidepressants without good response.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=29d0b1e1-b15c-4654-88f5-ba414aad0f62The recent amendment to the Land Transport Act will help provide extra protection for the public and raise awareness about taking prescription medicines responsibly, Pharmacy Guild says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=852088c5-7672-46a8-9046-29a1bf44f1c7Children taking antipsychotics may gain a significant amount of weight, a new study has found.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=560a6294-8c49-432d-b2a6-cbe7cdbf9c2dTony Ryall is calling for nominations for the new National Health Board.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fe30e6c8-272e-41a3-b634-d8b87f914321Nearly 200 New Zealand women are now receiving the 12 month course of Herceptin to treat Her-2 breast cancer, health minister Tony Ryall said in a media release.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ce6ab79c-4465-4620-911c-82b495fdecebGet your thinking caps on, now is the time to start thinking about your 2010 awards entry.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8cff9c92-3eb7-44e9-a430-1f631997d822Two Tauranga pharmacists are celebrating their win at the Bay of Plenty DHB Innovation and Research awards.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c2114ef9-3719-4968-87de-f1dd7cbb3af0Drugs made using unusual metals could form an effective treatment against colon and ovarian cancer, including cancerous cells that have developed immunity to other drugs. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3594f969-fded-469d-86b6-42348746ef21A newly launched e-newsletter from the award-winning everybody website sounds like just the thing to keep you two steps ahead of your customers.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d6ddba55-af2f-4a89-9bcf-60d53501b226The Minister of Health has reappointed Pharmacy Council members John Shaw, Jo Mickleson and Andrew Bary for a further three year term.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2ff02eab-bcce-479e-a729-26ac28ea4048It’s been used for cellphones, car kits and personal diaries and now toothbrushes are the latest gadgets to come equipped with wireless technology.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=eb538a7d-3bc5-4ba5-9502-316e304864f3Arrow Pharmaceuticals is expanding its generic OTC category with the launch of two hayfever and allergy medications.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8752bf5b-5ef6-41a6-982b-4f94ca4d75aeTake paracetamol as a first line pain reliever and keep moving – that’s the advice for New Zealanders suffering from back pain. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fed8a2c9-0edd-411e-b3b0-beb6079d59a0Adopting a Minor Ailment Strategy similar to what is in place in the UK and under consideration in Australia will save New Zealand thousands of health dollars, two leading healthcare experts say.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f94245fe-c5a4-4fea-9016-cff99a1a7a7fThe value of the global pharmaceutical market is expected to grow 4 to 6% in 2010, exceeding $825 billion, according to a forecast by IMS Health.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d2b256a5-73bc-4316-b4f9-4d9cb39d21a2A new decision by Medsafe is that cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under six years of age.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8532ed3e-ddb5-46fc-b509-5d3b58a88436A prescription is now needed for the purchase of medicines containing pseudoephedrine.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=bb5a944d-3c2e-4018-9b9b-d56239db5f44Denise Wood is the new Chief Executive of the Researched Medicines Industry Association.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=88055298-fd0a-49b5-9de2-7a9bd851fb89Graeme Douglas, veteran pharmacist and the founder of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, has been awarded a gold medal by the Pharmaceutical Society in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the profession.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6882fa2e-68df-4b65-9eb9-7795eb41dacdAny health professional, including pharmacists, who wants to offer support in Samoa can call the emergency controller at their local DHB.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e0c240cb-389b-41c3-9313-f8c8668e8d56Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE:VRX) has acquired Private Formula International – the Australian skincare company that boasts brands Dr. LeWinn’s, Hissyfit and Revitanail.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=376fdee6-e831-4ce4-b52f-477334cc28fdPrivate health insurance needs to be encouraged to take the pressure off the public health system, a health funding conference in Wellington has been told. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=43f6cbe9-af93-4600-a622-f1853e674666Health professionals in the community often miss out on up-to-date clinical information but in the Waikato the DHB’s library staff believe they have come up with a solution. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f7a3e1a0-95b2-4f9a-b65e-f22050692a19Merck Sharp & Dohme has made available in New Zealand a new lipid-modifying therapy, called Tredaptive. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d57dbb80-0bec-4d50-8d0f-0a577cad5e5eThis year the annual NZHPA technician study day will be held at Christchurch Hospital, Saturday 7th November.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=53ded2ad-b73f-41a0-9780-423f28922aadClaimed to be the world’s first combination paracetamol and ibuprofen painkiller, Maxigesic will soon be stocking New Zealand pharmacy shelves. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9097c743-cfde-43db-bdc5-a17d40ee448cPatients receiving endocrine therapy for prostate cancer are at increased risk of heart disease, a new study suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=eb71a193-48d9-449d-892a-d0b1269449daFrontline health workers who are in close contact with newborns and young babies will be offered free whooping cough immunisations in a bid to protect those most vulnerable to the disease. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=140411ad-b2c3-4d06-93f7-c7973b3235e2Life Pharmacy Limited has appointed Alan Wham as its chief executive. The company recently acquired Pharmacybrands business, which Mr Wham was heading for the past five years. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f82b8cdc-cb4a-479a-9862-e8f9c6f20d49The Waikato Community Pharmacy Group’s counselling and medication project for patients with mild to moderate depression has been awarded with a $50,000 grant from the Ministry of Health.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7839060f-b939-490e-b6b4-37b31ddbca74Weight gain may increase Caucasian men’s risk for developing prostate cancer, according to new research. But the risk varies among other ethnic populations.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=294f86b5-532b-45e6-b64f-f544046d9c63Sexual impairment is common among men undergoing antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a4b14b1e-fc6f-4a32-98d2-a6ff4160b0a5Medsafe is closely monitoring Canada’s largest drug manufacturer, Apotex, following the US placing an import ban on medicines produced at the company’s two manufacturing sites.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4fbe24c4-7994-487b-ad1f-c8c1e90febefWeb-based screening and personalized interventions for alcohol use may reduce drinking in undergraduate students, Australian and New Zealand researchers say.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=861320a2-f31e-4a6c-a926-b3f03d1eca2bRegistered pharmacists can become part of an exclusive domain for healthcare and disability services providers.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8dad93c3-e974-47fd-ac01-0dbbf0cca8c2Iodine supplementation to correct the mild deficiency commonly found in New Zealand children has led to significant improvements in cognitive brain function, a new study reveals.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b060487f-5d41-4dcb-bf3d-5e74e728f4c0Scientists in Japan have pioneered a new technique for the production and research of membrane proteins using E.coli cell extracts. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=def19b8e-fbe3-4352-b3e9-a51fc442614fLife Pharmacy recently announced the takeover offer for 100% of the share capital of Pharmacybrands has gone unconditional.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b72a3aa1-b330-4941-aab0-e457bea0b7e7Pharmac and AstraZeneca have reached an agreement over the supply of both Betaloc CR and Zoladex, which will save New Zealanders around $65 million.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d5c32878-7c3f-40fa-b51c-301e2ef0b7b4A new paracetamol formulation is making it easier for osteoarthritis sufferers to keep on top of their pain.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d7098c46-592a-4743-9163-c35441518b31Health minister, Tony Ryall, is calling for expressions of interest from primary health care organisations, and the Pharmacy Guild will be first in line to respond.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=15d9790e-ca6e-41ef-a4c2-b04251dfc29aPfizer, the world’s largest drug maker, has been charged a record $2.3 billion over unlawful prescription drug promotions.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b736bbe8-ce03-45b2-bf8f-4b0fbd947df9An analysis of data from 102 studies that compared statin monotherapy to combination lipid treatments involving a statin suggested there is "limited" evidence that the use of combination therapies improves clinical outcomes more than high-dose statin monotherapy in adults at high risk for coronary disease. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=65365ecd-44aa-47dd-92de-c0c617fb8d84A strategy just released will provide a long-term focus for tobacco control research in New Zealand, says Michele Grigg, Chair of the Tobacco Control Research Steering Group.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6714bdf5-18f4-408f-b43c-86b47d5a302eFour hundred patients at Fiji’s Savusavu Hospital will receive free medication for one year to treat their high cholesterol, thanks to a donation by Merck Sharp and Dohme.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=27012160-d5cd-4803-ac09-91e82b57d765Shareholders of the listed Life Pharmacy Limited have endorsed their company's merger with PharmacyBrands Limited. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0f911a91-f7a3-4f82-aa9d-3f2ee755b6f7Life Pharmacy and Care Chemist are supporting Blue September, a fundraising campaign to raise awareness and support for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7467fe3f-cca0-46dd-98c7-cb0367f50f7aProPharma and sister firm Pharmacy Wholesalers Russells are reporting reduced administrative costs and improved efficiencies following a major revamp of their websites.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=48c34dbc-1ce6-422b-afa9-74e4469a2531Don’t rely on homeopathic treatments, the World Health Organisation is warning people with conditions such as HIV, TB and malaria. New Zealand researchers Shaun Holt and Andrew Gilbey welcome the warning, but say it does not go far enough.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6af62097-9cf8-43cb-b566-d6ca6762d6daOn average Auckland City Hospital sees six adults a week who poison themselves with paracetamol – New Zealand’s most widely used painkiller.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6cefa53b-6e4b-4c82-8a98-22c4fcc6c456International evidence suggests New Zealand is wasting more money in the health system than other western countries, Researched Medicines Industry chair Pippa MacKay says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=296dacf1-5bed-4802-ad2d-2eb8c736f9a6Teenagers are sharing their prescriptions medicines with friends, according to a new US survey of 592 teens. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fa90d882-9554-4f85-bb05-ead7e276f745Arthritis, osteoporosis, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders cost the country $5.5 billion a year, affecting one in four New Zealanders, a new report says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fa09799a-118b-4cf1-bd07-fbe7c44497ebIn a world where most things seem to come with a health warning, kissing is being targeted as the latest risky activity. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=dd013d08-1238-444d-8347-70d23a52cc53Don't rely solely on online resources to self-diagnose and treat ailments as there is no substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a GP, medical association says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=36afcd67-7a38-47a6-a3b3-f707a12b6dabBanning OTC sales of products containing pseudoephedrine is not the answer to the country’s methamphetamine problem, according to the New Zealand Self-Medication Industry.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b9dbec0e-9553-44a2-8bcc-91fb7aa6ec58Wyeth reportedly paid ghostwriters to produce as many as 40 scientific papers supporting the use of hormone replacement therapy in women, according to unsealed court documents.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=986b7c96-707b-4747-bf49-dfc8f45b0151Preventative strategies need to be put in place immediately to stop more Kiwi children from developing food allergies.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a6cd0db0-c95f-4d3d-9386-642dbfb17e92Pharmacy Guild is urging the government to consider introducing Australia’s Project STOP into New Zealand pharmacies to help the fight against methamphetamine or “P”.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=351a9a2c-4a62-4b0b-8bd7-ef6b69a1cfbbNovel and reformulated atypical antipsychotics will be the engine that drives the growth of the US$22 billion antipsychotic drugs market. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=44a46e5c-8b2f-4324-ab16-acbf76e8e9bbFrom September 1, a low dose variant of the popular heartburn drug Losec will be available over-the-counter under advice from pharmacist.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2dd4c465-48bf-4c3a-8577-f5462f325f5aA steroid-free nasal spray providing long term relief of non-allergic rhinitis will be available commercially from mid-2010.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0a2453f9-1f25-416a-b40d-f97133702468A new eyedrop treatment may offer hope for glaucoma patients although research is still in its early stages.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7498741a-1577-485a-a406-cd808d289b18Clare Hynd, Paul Larson and Ann Privett have been elected by members of the Pharmaceutical Society to serve on the National Executive from 1 August 2009.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ea14fc56-6951-460f-b2d9-d0c6c802ad30The studies involved surveys of children who attended primary or secondary schools where confirmed cases of H1N1 infection had been recorded, and who had been offered Tamiflu as a prophylactic measure in April and May of this year.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=78e8126f-b802-4148-885b-b0828aeecdfdThe proposed merger of Life Pharmacy Limited and Pharmacybrands would create the country’s largest pharmacy group with about 250 pharmacies covering most towns and cities. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=73ea33bc-72ea-4a61-8bbe-cc6e00f4ca86Pharmacy Assistant of the year, Te Ana Simmonds received recognition from associate minister of health; Tariana Turia for her helping her community quit smoking.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a68c405c-25a6-429a-848e-e4c8e2033a00The president of the Philippines has signed an executive order imposing a price cap on five widely used drugs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ad9754f0-9199-4cfa-8b34-181ef0bc6a36Patients with type 1 diabetes who maintain intensive insulin therapy substantially reduce their rates of eye and kidney damage and cardiovascular disease, compared to those who receive conventional treatment. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1f970b6d-0242-40d2-a749-e89e723af7eaPharmaceutical manufacturers have started submitting data on influenza A (H1N1) vaccines under an accelerated and rolling review process, with preliminary results from human trials expected in September.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e8f6056f-579f-43c9-94a1-699d2ce79ec1Availability of the first generic prescription medicine for Alzheimer’s disease will make treatment affordable for New Zealanders who suffer from this most common form of dementia. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0331a0e8-a38b-46f5-b50f-e38a8ab14ec1Home Instead Senior Care today launched a programme to educate people, especially the elderly, about correct disposal of old medicines.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=69f62d8b-d1cf-45d9-9d83-dcca4137883fPharmac claims it will save $27 million over the next three years through three drug switches scheduled in July and August and says the money can be invested in new medicines. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=47445ba2-ad69-4008-ab11-ae8d588aed31European Union regulators have granted approval for Pfizer to merge with Wyeth, on the condition Pfizer remain committed to divest certain animal health assets in the EU.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b355eb35-697c-47ec-9966-23e3fe17b8b1Pharma's online service will make delivery of its free printed resources on healthcare and medicines much easier and quicker.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c1110931-36db-4fe2-b20e-2a05adcfd57cWairarapa pharmacist Ithiel Satya has been sentenced to nine-month home detention and ordered to pay $25,000 in reparation for defrauding the Wairarapa District Health Board of more than $142,000.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=82322ddc-c1b6-47d2-b59d-c88dffaaaf97Many GPs continue to prescribe antibiotics for viral or non-bacterial infections to harness the placebo effect, new research suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1d95d8de-82ab-4ea6-b2cc-3279d11a338fA new book on health promotion shows keeping people healthy is the best way to reduce demand on hospitals.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=70e198d6-4c97-400b-a2a9-b95fbd0c71f0GlaxoSmithKline has purchased Bristol-Myers Squibb's branded generics business in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Yemen. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d4048543-4b3d-4f47-a743-ad10f2001495Most managers under 40 have never managed or sold in a decent recession so they need to understand the basics of surviving a recession.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8e4fd923-5954-4dae-aec8-ed7a35e88881GlaxoSmithKline has entered into an agreement with Dr. Reddy's to develop and market select products in emerging markets outside India. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=77bf6430-12fd-47fd-8600-3ae6838aa6bfA patient with symptoms of influenza no longer needs to present in person to the pharmacist in order to purchase Tamiflu, and during an epidemic, the medicine may now be sold in pharmacy for longer than the “seasonal” months of May to September.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c399b5ce-677d-4fc0-b047-c1ea82652f9ePharmacists are not on the list of frontline health staff and emergency personnel who will receive vaccination against swine flu. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6745c9b7-0602-476b-a15b-b198d5a18680Many patients at high risk of cardiovascular events could be disadvantaged due the limited range of cholesterol lowering drugs in New Zealand, a leading specialist says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b1d35c8c-5792-4827-b1a5-fda9ce533c6aNew Zealand has world-class regime for safety of non-prescription analgesics and does not require restrictions on the sale of paracetamol, drug industry says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fe979b2b-8d52-4913-807e-080bd4f6e5e7Cystic fibrosis patients now have targeted access to azithromycin, thanks to Pharmac funding. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d22d28f2-161c-40f0-a56c-e97987265940Levin pharmacist Brian Eastham has sold his Queen Street Pharmacy business and is moving on to do other things.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7a36a30a-679e-490c-88e1-6cfc3be85b54Tamiflu sales in New Zealand have skyrocketed, with 74,000 packets sold since the onset of flu season this year. The figure is 74 times more than the drug’s usual winter sales.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=485db2a2-22d7-4312-9bd3-2172c313f765Christchurch pharmacist Peter Cooke has been awarded Life Membership by the Pharmacy Guild. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fef33aac-d2c0-41a4-ba98-43ad3b2230a8Middle-aged women who had migraine headaches with sensory disturbances such as with vision, balance or speech have a higher prevalence of brain lesions when they get older.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6ec952a4-bb0e-459f-be2c-a9bbe3d1dffbHealth Minister Tony Ryall has authorised Living Cell Technologies to conduct a New Zealand Phase-I (IIa) clinical trial of Diabecell for insulin dependent diabetes.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5b8a9ff7-467b-4884-b23a-190ec1a9efc9Pharmac has agreed to fully fund sildenafil, bosentan and iloprost for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a serious and often fatal condition affecting the heart and lungs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8a783a1a-dddd-4d79-8491-114de88b6646Community Pharmacy Leaders’ Forum is urging health officials to recognise the crucial role pharmacists play in front line health care and provide them with the same level of support as other health professionals. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6577f56a-7f91-4a40-88d3-3a47b1cc634eFrom July 1, Pharmac will fully fund MabThera (rituximab) as first line treatment of low grade non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=744bcd95-59bb-4ac1-b818-4c3dc578cc4fMore than a third of New Zealanders are three times more likely to develop melanoma according to a recent Trans-Tasman study.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b05b764e-741f-4dc1-b615-f86cfb409b1aIt was a night with more than a dash of history, a few stuffed animals, and Teddy Roosevelt as MC, but there were definitely no dinosaurs among the elite of the pharmacy profession at the Auckland War Memorial http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=07c6fddd-3923-4d36-a3dc-cff4ff4069ebCommunity pharmacies are prohibited from using fliers, brochures or any other means of direct to consumer advertising for medicines that can be potentially misused.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1cbad8c6-93cf-46c9-a129-d8553fea57d6Pharmaceutical Society will take a lead role in initiatives to achieve the goals of medicines strategy. A working party will identify what needs to happen to advance pharmacy's role in the strategy's implementation. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=90f5de11-2476-487b-9c49-dc8c618c40acSelf styled fugitive “Billy the Hunted One” William Stewart, who was arrested on 27 May after a three-month police chase across South Canterbury, plans to defend all charges against him. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9851f372-982c-48f6-aa6d-7ad1d563b53cMedical Officers of Health have been given legal powers to make people isolate themselves at home and to exclude children and teachers from school, if they have swine flu. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fc78dec3-c203-409a-ba11-3068eba1ee64Internet giant Google has rolled out Google Flu Trends in New Zealand and Australia to help monitor patterns of flu spread within these countries.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=07a91302-5b11-455d-9b6a-4cdd160b1ae0Dr Lester Levy has been appointed new Chair of Waitemata DHB. He replaces Ms Kay McKelvie, who resigned in February. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=50fd28d8-d801-4177-8046-bbbdb8331361Auckland pharmacist Ian Johnson has been re-elected president of Pharmacy Guild, while Dunedin pharmacist Warren Leonard is the new vice-president.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=96d45f02-a68f-47a3-8742-04c7100a92c2Pharmacists are responding to the call for greater restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine with sales declining by more than 20% year on year.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a4ba418c-f271-49b5-982a-a18dacb4b33ePharmac marked world smoke free day on May 31 by announcing funding for the smoking cessation drug bupropion (Zyban).http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f991460c-5f4c-433e-b319-fc8d997a517fLife Pharmacy Limited (NZX: LPL) has had a small turn around in its fortunes with an after tax profit of $61,000 for the year ending March 2009. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a599bf41-f874-46d6-b099-415fda20914c$3 billion allocated to Vote Health over the next four years represents more than 40 per cent of all new funding committed in the Budget 2009. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fc13b329-618e-45cb-954e-824b18e7906fResearched Medicines Industry Association has welcomed the allocation of an extra $185.7m for community pharmaceuticals over the next four years. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9635410e-c6ed-4f60-a38d-b126d1955be5The government has set up a panel to recommend how to improve access to high-cost, highly specialised medicines in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a183acb4-cb77-44a0-82fc-751ac83e2de2The US government has set aside $1 billion for the manufacture of swine flu vaccine, amid fears of a global swine flu pandemic.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b94a7ad6-80f5-44af-8823-8349a9f934d0Self-styled fugitive “Billy the Hunted One” William Stewart has been caught.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=623b75e4-5176-4623-96a5-3dedb65df59aA new pilot study will be launched into Plunket to investigate just how many Kiwi children could be suffering from cow’s milk protein allergy and its affect on their growth and development.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=16f087c0-1c0c-4dac-96fe-68cd1bc93d51More than 90% of people who use homoeopathic remedies think the products work according to a survey published in the latest edition of the New Zealand Medical Journal. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7e739ec3-8035-48b9-87a1-2d9f42fbca64Pharmacies are getting involved in a new smoking cessation campaign launched by Action on Smoking and Health.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8c50f02e-13a5-4e9e-b2e3-45bde6de9c47Ken Shirley, chief executive of the Researched Medicines Industry Association, has announced his resignation.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=290d4ad6-c2d3-45d6-ab63-d8bdff0c481aNew Zealand’s needle exchange programme is the most successful in the world, according to a release from Needle Exchange NZ.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=bff3fa39-3238-4887-94d7-621a25534d89Everyone over the age of 55 should take drugs to lower their blood pressure - even if their reading is normal, a leading doctor has recommended.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c285316f-6954-4e15-9869-f3cc4e7eb5b7Bruce Russell of Auckland University’s School of Pharmacy is researching whether Ritalin can be used to wean users off methamphetamine.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5a114892-7a99-49c4-8778-7c43dabaa3e5The chances of quitting smoking doubles if using nicotine replacement therapy, a release for the Health Sponsorship Council says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=288344aa-0f0b-419c-a7eb-0ae228f8e750More New Zealanders have received seasonal flu jab this year than ever before.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=397355ec-b2a6-4245-9255-5a9c67b27d99Kava is an effective and safe treatment for anxiety, a release from the University of Queensland says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0c8b3699-050a-4b5d-b6d2-1ff98569abcdSixteen pharmacies are running asthma clinics as part of Asthma Awareness Week, a release from the Pharmacy Guild says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5f5dea3e-3b87-4473-bddd-ce3a72811c0fTauranga pharmacist and doctor, Shaun Holt, recently launched the “Polypack” – his answer to the polypill.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0a911929-f313-4d55-bbd3-0ced9542ceb7Pharmac is planning on making more use of consumers as the first step in its Consumer Advisory Committee review.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=98cf5591-dbb0-46be-bafb-329f8f443216Medicine mismanagement is costing our health system, and it is an expense that is entirely preventable, according to chief executive of the Pharmacy Guild, Annabel Young.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d5e77c11-bfb8-4071-9f6d-a5278083b924From 1 May, patients displaying flu symptoms will be allowed to purchase Tamiflu from their pharmacist without a doctor’s prescription.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5f795b85-13f2-4570-922b-e2a96cd4fbd3The Pharmacy Guild is advising pharmacists to review the Pandemic Infection Control guidelines from 2005. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=644740f0-05f4-4c11-8601-00bdea3cd465Poor or reduced sleep can be a risk factor for obesity and diabetes, sleep researchers say. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c4ba96f6-d255-4e51-be9a-8721773a89dcAntioxidants found in berries may prevent UV skin damage that leads to wrinkles, new research suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=eafcfe35-7451-44ab-9a39-cd506c38ada3The longer women breastfeed, the lower their risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular disease, according to a US study.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b2a6e5e0-c095-4d2c-bf0d-1f87bc8568baNational Influenza Strategy Group has launched an interactive game on its website to increase awareness on influenza immunization. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=339915b6-8ce0-4e06-ac98-88e12ffb180fPharmacists are reporting a sudden surge in the sale of anti viral medicine Tamiflu, as health officials investigate a further 52 suspected cases of swine flu in New Zealand. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4d7b14dd-1ba0-48ed-9ca6-cc4b5feb2c6aNew research from the UK’s Cardiff University suggests a mechanism for how lithium works, opening the door for potentially more effective treatments. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d0371652-aac3-41c8-9c5b-454fab669168The opening of a national research centre could be vital in addressing the rising number of neurological disorders in NZ. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f74b82b1-1412-404a-8519-4cd9e18062fdManuka honey consumers and manufacturers stand to benefit from a new test being launched by Waikato University.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d8eb6d22-daa3-458e-a568-974efa1dda5fParents are being warned not to give Bonjela and Bonjela cool mint gel to children under 16 after allegations the product could increase the risk of Reye's syndrome.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9489cffc-3b85-4579-a27d-c2a9445ed76dPeople in the Waikato experiencing fever, pain and swelling in the jaw or front of ear region are being advised to seek medical advice.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b3e95681-c239-41b0-bff3-0f4c387fe069Older men are less likely to find melanoma themselves, so should seek medical advice, new research suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a93890ce-8182-46c3-a63f-f17a71f1a179Cuts to funding for diabetes health targets would be of serious concern, Diabetes New Zealand president Mike Smith says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3b85fa7c-917e-4bef-a725-174d995b53abThe OECD has recommended increased funding for medicines, something that should be taken seriously, Ken Shirley, chief executive of the Researched Medicines Industry says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7ae0872e-7e2d-469e-a6a2-c1e142e80b68Processed tomatoes, such as tomato sauces and tinned tomatoes, carry more antioxidants than fresh tomatoes, researchers say.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ac467961-a9eb-4104-90a8-fba2dae0a252Cognitive behaviour therapy may help in disability associated with chronic pain, according to a Cochrane Systematic Review of 40 trials involving 4781 people. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=272f58b9-0d47-4c01-81ca-e1eb22b50c39Widened access to an effective antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B and C will save thousands of lives and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=af3d2a59-5a34-4f2e-b9a4-3f42337ac6fbA programme aimed at reducing hospitalisations and death as a result of asthma is being rolled out in Taranaki.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3b9ceb9c-7e1d-49b9-a57b-5b2f0cd2fbceTwo medications used to treat erectile dysfunction in men - sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil Cialis - do not appear to have visual side effects when taken daily for six months.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=84b6b7ac-a7c3-49fb-9962-d5ebee1329b5“Don’t be fooled – all cigarettes are deadly, including so-called light and mild products,” the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation warns.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=406c64dd-0fce-46d0-bec9-8ed5c0ba71f8Coffee does reduce pain, a US study into the effect caffeine has on cyclists has found.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=905a8e06-5164-4efc-b47c-ecee0acafa92Smoking takes out the equivalent of a settlement the size of Te Kuiti, Waikato DHB health promoter Kerri Huaki says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=10e2bb06-b058-4e78-9cb3-9b6708439a18Pharmac says indomethacin will no longer be available in New Zealand, leaving patients with gout in need of another treatment option.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3566b720-55f2-4c22-a14b-5a0c99cbcde9Eating out, lack of social support and high-risk lifestyles are some of the barriers that stop patients with type 2 diabetes from controlling their condition, according to a research review.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=71a88068-ce20-47f8-a531-e46e7c56bd96Changes to the Employment Relations Act mean some pharmacists may have to close for breaks. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=efb8d31a-8ff9-481f-8378-95648eb85ca5A pharmacy evening held at Waikato Hospital recently proved beneficial for community and hospital pharmacists.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=486473a4-c020-4816-97bb-4fb2b8b7f1dbPacific people in New Zealand cannot always afford to eat the sort of food which might lessen their high rates of obesity, a new report says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=65edd7a0-0f38-481a-9242-f7c0f8144086Pharmacists and GPs will soon receive copies of the revised New Zealand Cardiovascular Guidelines Handbook.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6f9c48f6-49ad-4912-9f98-4553d6505a92Rectogesic, a glyceryl trinitrate for rectal use, is now a pharmacist-only medicine.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=62dfa266-cc62-43fe-bae9-4eda8dcc5d12A new drug derived from Magnolia tree appears to help better control complications of bleeding and clot formation during procedures to open blocked coronary arteries. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=eb4330a0-7c39-423f-aa62-6c38b2f67b1aPharmac has approved funding for a new type of drug to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorderhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8e209a29-3154-4c05-abee-b6fbdd011782New research suggests those with chronic pain may need to assess their vitamin D status. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fc2e22d4-f0cf-461b-b6c2-4501034c5eb0A simple lung function test could help identify people at increased risk of lung cancer, according to research from The University of Auckland and Auckland City Hospital http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8551637c-1b9b-4436-b7d3-4ba6fb9d75d9Cases of whooping cough have increased in New Zealand over the last year and parents are being urged to get their children vaccinatedhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=254335a8-cd02-4c53-bd66-a03d8fdfa565Men with high vitamin C levels are less likely to develop gout, according to a new studyhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=040ac881-486a-47e5-8ddb-c570fad87bc1The Government’s plan to inject $40 million of new spending into pharmaceuticals will form part of the budget-setting process. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=dc48fdf3-2f64-4ae4-b29e-a0f7abfc4dd2Combing through a child’s wet hair may lead to more accurate identification of active head lice infestation than visual inspection.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4d0e7b0c-c296-47bf-bf84-15f0f858a3fbFollowing a statement made in December 2008, director-general of health, Stephen McKernan is again warning the public about the potential health dangers associated with four unapproved medicines manufactured in Samoa and Tonga, and sold from retailers in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=57fd9bc2-0926-4ae3-8bb5-38e263b40a5eA three-year study will look at barriers to achieving better health for Maori menhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ffa9619a-ef6f-4407-86eb-644d6844024bAbout 3000 New Zealanders are expected to take part in this years’ New Zealand Oral Health Survey, which will run from March-November 2009.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=31df3f6e-23e9-4f06-b2da-d1418b951111Phil Wood is the new clinical services leader for Health Waikato’s Older Persons and Rehabilitation Services.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0ada0b02-0fa1-4878-a3f5-1abc789763ffAttending an aerobic class regularly without wearing hearing protection may put you at risk of developing hearing loss.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1693a13f-31c8-400c-98e9-32607bc75523Waikato DHB has included an HPV immunisation section on its website, so people can email a medical officer with any queries they may have about the programme.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=088950d3-5746-4ceb-a2d5-43e68de0fef1Pharmacist Alan Alabaster was lucky to escape without serious injury after a robber recently doused him with petrol and threatened to set him alight, police say.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e9b973cf-06e1-4fb2-9cc1-8fc29246ae10Tobacco displays will not be banned at the moment, a release from the Ministry of Health says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=53ad2c98-3617-4415-9d3c-4f6ac79e86b1After smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excess body weight are the next most important preventable causes of cancer.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1e164fa9-0e34-4985-b141-5f9f2988c395An angry heart may contribute to sudden death, a new research suggests. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=90aecc2c-0f54-49d6-a2c9-838877b52173Teen girls with higher vitamin D levels may have improved muscle performance, according to a new study. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2a5fc363-9190-4a47-9659-8ffcc2aa539dMaori and Pacific Islanders are suffering disproportionately more severe strokes and have poorer outcomes, according to a study. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b6bf4ecf-be6c-4b26-ac27-02497fec7568After 10 years in development, Health Minister Tony Ryall officially opened the National Centre for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice at AUT recently.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cd3255ea-d970-4d0b-a954-8636c77b7bfcRay Avery, founder and chief executive of Medicine Mondiale, is the biotechnology category winner in the 2009 World Class New Zealand Awards.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d259fbf9-4dc7-4c22-b13e-a091071baa96Leading medical groups in the US advise healthy men, who are regularly screened for prostate cancer can take a drug to prevent the disease.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=28150d8c-88be-4a9d-98fd-0242209f69deB4School vision screenings may not be picking up vision problems, according to See Here – a JR McKenzie Trust project - which focuses on the large number of children with mild and moderate vision impairment.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a72d2fd3-3375-4caa-b0cd-10f47e6ebcb2National government has restored funding to PlunketLine as part of its election promise, reversing Labour’s decision.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8bdc555d-b7db-4e5e-ab26-6e938cf4fc1bNatural Health Laboratories has launched a new omega-3 supplement in New Zealand with claims it packs 47 times the antioxidant activity compared to standard fish oil.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=aef45841-d987-45f6-8008-bebf7fdd0773Insulin may slow or prevent memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease, according to the findings of a new study.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6682b33c-04fa-4d89-94b7-f9389dd4e549Taking a combination of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration in women.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=428f37f8-8b23-4f3f-88b2-4ea973a88442A "war on drugs" has been a failure, according to an American expert who spoke at the Healthy Drug Law Symposium in Wellington.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=19f7d4a4-fe77-4e79-813d-5d093d64e9feIn a clarification printed in the February issue, Pharmacy Today incorrectly stated organic bread is to contain 80-180mcg of folic acid per 100g of bread.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=dd3fb591-0376-4f37-a38c-a191f8ee8af7The Government’s decision to relax food standards in schools where positive progress has been made has been met with deep disappointment from Heart Foundation medical director, Professor Norman Sharpe. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b8eb44ce-2ce4-4d6b-83b5-b3742db55720An online toolkit aimed at assisting low-income families with parenting, healthy cooking, physical activity and budgeting was launched recently.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=bbb8798e-9c3b-4bc9-954c-45a0b81a2447Middle-aged women taking multivitamins are not doing their health any favours - they are just creating expensive urine, according to the world's largest study on the subject.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3e156b19-4c74-4005-aed7-86a35acefbfbMore people are taking out health insurance today than every before, according to figures recently released by the Health Funds Association (HFANZ).http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f4a52612-0a9e-4453-8bc5-9f7dac4437eaAustralian men will be among the first in the world to try a new two-monthly male contraceptive injection. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=82b68880-e02a-40f5-8300-28bc93e3990dOwned by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Guild Insurance recently opened its New Zealand offices - located in the same building as the Pharmacy Guild, at Pharmacy House in Wellington.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=15a89f9d-9180-4dae-9c75-745ed55f43ceFrom June 1, 2009, the only subsidised diltiazem preparations will be Dilzem 30mg and 60mg immediate release tablets, and Cardizem CD 120mg, 180mg and 240mg long-acting (once daily) capsules.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=818902c4-3eeb-497c-9f13-a47bd4c4c541Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is buying rival drugmaker Wyeth in a NZ$128 billion deal.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d5450d5c-a4c2-4262-906e-6b6bd17337e9Life Pharmacy Limited (NZX: LPL) chief executive Philip Ingham has resigned from his position after 18 months citing family reasons.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e99be1f2-434a-42d6-a0c3-7ed18cce6f27A clarification in the update on first aid requirements for pharmacistshttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5e9f0462-00f4-4c33-bc3a-e6dfe068fd68The Pharmacy Guild has welcomed the Minister of Health's new taskforce set to review the quality and performance of the public health system.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7d3f7a63-3de6-4478-a1f0-45714d71e5cdOne in five Maori with diabetes and pre-diabetes are undiagnosed, the latest findings from Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy say.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b5f4924b-b373-4b2b-aa02-51d8b2765ff9Low intake of dietary magnesium is among significant factors linked to higher incidence of depression, according to a large new study.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=57514038-c95b-4841-a922-c7e0bf9d13d3A Swedish study suggests horse riding can ease back pain. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b6c4cce3-6b29-4124-b96b-32082c5e4ec4The Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) is reassuring consumers about the safety of sunscreens containing Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide in nano particle form.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=22b5c3f4-8dbd-48a0-b7f9-806b9313fa9aA health conference for workers in the primary health sector - pharmacists, nurses and GPs - has been scrapped by health minister Tony Ryallhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=90affa79-72f0-4d19-8f23-cfe7915589a7Frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables can be just as healthy as fresh, according to Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA),http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1483bca3-be72-414b-9cdd-d3c41bd334d3Pharmacy-oriented aspects of the economic downturn will be addressed at the Australian College of Pharmacy Practice and Management annual conference.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fb15d5e8-f881-4a92-8bc4-d740649c1939One of New Zealand's most recognised public health figures - Dr Paratene (Pat) Ngata died on 12 January, 2009 after a long illness.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3214d473-4f08-4635-a226-1c22a844d998Vicks VapoRub may be bad for young children, a new study says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1a330387-5b5c-4f0e-8560-7ce7957e9f4bThe New Zealand Self-Medication Industry (NZSMI) is reassuring consumers that antiseptic mouthwashes are safe.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=81066c62-2bf1-4f59-b5a4-917864f29279A health warning has been issued by the Director General of Health about the potential health dangers associated with three unapproved medicines made in Samoa and sold in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0977b408-f43d-4261-b0c6-937eed3d21a3An advertising campaign promoting free handouts of the morning-after contraceptive pill may lead to more teens having unprotected sex, which puts them at risk of sexually transmitted infections, critics say.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3bcf2545-5a1d-4568-8f40-9f05eb24d674In lieu of giving Christmas gifts ProPharma and Healthcare Logistics have, for the last decade, donated money to charity.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6b047e1e-17dc-468f-9d17-ce17e505a143A new website claims to teach people to be happy.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=16351fec-e33f-4654-9af1-aea155260e53The first New Zealand-specific study over two years into the benefits of "exercise on prescription" has had positive results on women at risk of heart disease.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0e899dee-5199-46b9-a167-0ccd760247ffUnsuitable and potentially dangerous advice is being given by poorly trained pharmacy staff in the UK, according to a survey by Which? magazinehttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fb2bbcb8-ee41-4db9-8760-df23fe0f71deThe New Zealand Dermatological Society and The Australian College of Dermatologists have criticised Pharmac's decision to widen prescribing rights for two acne drugs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b26f4ee3-c847-493d-98be-6142445e2699Tauranga company Erdic Limited has been found guilty of breaching the Fair Trading Act over claims a pill could make a woman's breasts larger and firmer.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=621949b9-e813-4294-9a09-cf8fb866440fCommunity pharmacists are a superior source of reliable health advice, compared with health store, according to a recent study.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b819ec2d-8722-48e7-b849-5a69292e4608The latest survey of smoking in New Zealand confirms that smoking rates are tracking down. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=11ff901b-9158-4124-b68a-ccf5c9ece261Pharmac is seeking to improve how brand changes are implemented, and plans to work better with doctors, pharmacists and consumer groups.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f6dc224d-0c33-4628-9724-f695d042a131Australian pharmacies are to have access to a free telephone interpreting service.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7a9eae8c-655a-4992-893d-afa1fd864a02Prime Minister John Key has announced funding for a 12-month course of the breast cancer drug Herceptin.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7dc08a2c-62ad-4724-992e-92d39f86f4a2Nearly 3000 GPs and hospital doctors are now using online Special Authority applications for helping patients get faster access to some medicines. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a494d62d-0e68-4480-aac7-c5e2b0537789Six Chinese-made products have been banned in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=adfaed77-b910-45dc-9a07-c488120a986eAmisulpride (Solian) is the latest funded option for schizophrenic disorders.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a0714cdb-df01-4e74-a199-3f1ce16973c7Pharmaceutical advertising to doctors needs to be more tightly regulated to protect the public, George Jelinek, professor of emergency medicine at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth told members at a recent conference in Wellingtonhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0c3f834f-db5f-4ce9-a62f-be649bdfcfe8New Zealand authorities are being asked to implement a similar programme to the Australian-based Project STOP as an effective way of monitoring and controlling the sale of pseudoephedrine-containing medicines from pharmacies.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=08854e44-d1d1-4b15-9ebb-a31396b0fb14The Auckland University School of Pharmacy announced the 2008 prize and award winners at their recent Completion Ceremonyhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d244b8c2-d1a5-42b0-aa42-adba6c144067Elizabeth Plant is the new president of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand for 2009. She takes over the reins from Motueka pharmacist Chris Budgen.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=92b1d399-8c4e-46ba-bcf7-e869020e6e61The Government is to consider tougher rules on the sale of pseudoephedrine cold and flu products early next year.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=bd12b25d-ce9e-4392-92db-7b5afdfca421The current health infrastructure is not working for community pharmacy, say the Community Pharmacy Leaders Forum (CPLF).http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c0938c1c-a4c3-4d45-9261-9a7a8b83f3d9The Pharmacy Guild has welcomed the appointment of Tony Ryall as Minister of Health.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=68124d29-3134-478d-a18d-196e53ff5f44New Zealand's rate of campylobacter is one of the worst among developed countrieshttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0c6d3fdd-cb23-4e1f-92cd-38060eeb96ddMost New Zealand bread will be fortified with folic acid from September, which means women planning pregnancies may reduce their daily intake to 0.4mg.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c63ef6cf-7f7b-4a2a-96a8-9fd1fa60203fA new blood test introduced in New Zealand could help predict the risk of miscarriage in womenhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9aa1eb81-cd67-4306-a887-e58e9aaf5f1eEfudix - a topical treatment for superficial pre-malignant skin lesions – will be funded from December 1, 2008 http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8fbbd8c9-c56a-46ce-a114-10a8061dd90fDoctors are calling on the new Government to cut the number of district health boards in New Zealand to reduce admin costs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9385da72-242a-49fc-8390-8782618d9e28Psychological encouragement is the key to helping a smoker quit permanently, a leading smoking cessation expert sayshttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=abe0d31c-b720-4cb8-9e20-f78a82c4e254The Public Health Association is calling on the new Government to act on the decline of life expectancy in Maori children http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=437dccaf-7df8-4306-960a-9a7cfcb209ccMore New Zealanders are finding melanomas on their skin during spring.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=deb01508-d39e-439a-8b79-ada54d27b757Migraines affect not only the sufferer, but also the family of the sufferer, a recent survey reveals.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=eb22b3f3-af80-4d99-aa9d-649b1dfcf286Goldshield levothyroxine product label removedhttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b040d9bd-94e2-48ea-8bf5-b865d7c4acaeAn early briefing from the Pharmacy Guild has been issued to the next Minister of Health in an attempt to not be "left off the radar". http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8c584e1e-770d-4a5b-9446-349e8045a672Tighter control is needed for the sale of pseudoephedrine, Waitemata DHB says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=00c29e32-28b1-4530-b9b1-f311f152b06cThe Researched Medicines Industry (RMI) along with prescribers, dispensers, specialists, researchers and patient groups, is calling on Government to reform medicines policies.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=930895ab-c792-4b3f-88a7-adce4e2ff1afTwo additional levothyroxine products have been approved by Medsafe.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=80624deb-547d-46a5-a055-711fc93ebb92Children in the Waikato can receive immunisations more conveniently, thanks to the launch of a mobile immunisation service.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a40c0707-be3c-467e-86a9-e2d9f61a900eThe current prevalence rate of over 160,000 diagnosed and 73,000 undiagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes was not forecast to be reached until 2011-2012, Diabetes New Zealand says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a0446cdb-8cae-4a3e-be8b-3175eb51ae56"Take responsibility for your bone health now, or risk facing the crippling disease," is the message behind Osteoporosis Awareness Week (20-27 October.)http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b809e652-291f-4f8a-b61d-66ff616f1767Kiwi men are joining women in worrying about their waistlineshttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=48fb3fbb-4b14-424c-9c63-a7909db5215bNational Party Pharmacy Spokesperson Dr Jackie Blue vows pharmacists will play a greater role in primary health if her party is the next Government. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7a532a9d-e2cb-4c7f-be49-3164882c4feePharmacists will find it easier to communicate with patients who have difficulty with the English language with the launch of the Pharmacy Translation Kit.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b2329c9a-b0b9-41b9-b402-5632c0496616Antidepressants taken by thousands of New Zealand men could be damaging their sperm and increasing their chances of infertility, new research suggests.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=fdbdf217-55ef-456d-a015-2c2082389578Reaction from the Research Medicines Institute (RMI) to Pharmac’s decision to fund drugs to treat two types of prostate cancer is that it is too little, too late for hundreds of men with the disease.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7eca92ba-8524-4f58-a497-6a402cf013e8UK men reluctant to approach GPs for erectile dysfunction can now buy drugs through an online pharmacy.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0188a171-f910-4dec-9396-19098e02823cWellington coroner Ian Smith is calling for a law change to crack down on the illegal importation of prescription medicines following the death of a mental health patient who took drugs he had mailed to him from overseas.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=050a49b1-7d2b-49c4-818c-aabfde549ff3From October 1 hearing aid subsidies will be increased for people aged 65 and over who have a SuperGold Card. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b224ca56-9608-48a0-bf74-ffe18af9232aThe Pharmacy Guild is accusing the Health Minister of ignoring the importance of community pharmacists in delivering primary health care.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8e7ad087-1873-4147-9b50-d898e50e8268‘Patient one-stop shops’ are being promoted by the Labour Government in a last-minute health policy as the general election looms on November 8.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a7071eba-7cbf-442c-a668-257b80391278Cathay Pacific Airways has launched a cargo service aimed at the pharmaceutical industry. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=dcfdad71-3280-4d2a-88d0-ac9f918e7d14A training day for pharmacy technicians will cover vaccinations, women's health, and bacteria. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=367645bd-865e-4b6e-819b-f615c0485990Hot/cold surgical packs, Surgipack and Body Plus packs have been recalled by Tyco Healthcare because a number of the products have been found to contain a toxic substance. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=30e8b468-880e-4d28-96f6-a7dded93fc73Medsafe is taking steps to protect New Zealanders against three imported anti-infective medicines should the need arise.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=40cb98a9-0fa9-4566-a032-c777ed1991a0A New Zealand company has developed a hayfever and sinus relief medication containing no pseudoephedrine which has attracted global interest.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ecc23f0e-a000-4227-92a3-8cd6464c2dc8Reaction to changes to the Pharmaceutical Society’s constitution has been a non-event, an executive member says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ab4689f7-a85d-415d-92f5-6379bce5ccb6The organising committee wishes to go ahead with Pharmex09, organising committee member and director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Jeff Douglas, says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f8d6cc34-bcf5-47c2-9093-dda1c2447ad1New Zealanders rate pharmacists above doctors, health education and on-pack information for seeking health and medication advice.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=67a0aa51-93f6-468e-8d7f-b0c1631b970fThe much awaited August roll out of online pharmacy claiming has been postponed.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=18b78b61-c751-4d7c-927b-8ba3e65511c0Pharmacy sector representatives have met Standards New Zealand to identify the potential scope for a pharmacy standard.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e3073245-64b8-4737-8bab-5231cb517667New Zealand IT firm, Simpl, has won a multi-million dollar contract to develop a national e-prescribing system in Australia.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8f21775f-36ce-4c83-bee7-dde72bc0e19aWider access to hypertension/heart failure medicine.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0b9d4e32-09e0-4181-9f25-eb23a63109dbAustralian research says one in four patients needs to consider potential contraindications, warnings or precautions in regard to their use of NSAIDs.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5b099150-eec7-46b2-933c-1cc80cfe0345A diet programme designed for "losing weight while you work" is the latest offering from Australian pharmacist Tony Ferguson, renowned for devising the best selling weight management plan across the Tasman. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e1894aeb-4943-42fd-9bc6-bbc441e31caePharmac's decision to fully subsidise Concerta - the once daily treatment for attention deficit disorder - has been welcomed by health workers.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5b6c8281-6079-4823-9a14-5239da5e38c9Pharmacy Guild chief executive, Annabel Young, has welcomed the Government decision to expand public access to $3 prescriptions from September 1.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a72a452f-7e52-477c-a2ad-0bf4ff5ee751New Zealand is leading the way as the polypill trial gets set to begin in September.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0d9886fa-3b28-4de3-b9a3-b9a74de0c393In a stunning victory for the founder and chief executive of the now liquidated Pan Pharmaceuticals, Sydney pharmacist Jim Selim, the Australian Government has agreed to pay him A$50 million plus A$5 million court costs in a court settlement. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cb591ee9-b415-41c6-9a89-7ef8d94f3a61Getting "into the head" of patients and understanding the way they view their illness is vital to improving medicine adherence, says a health psychology expert. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=caf95014-7686-48a5-8a66-0aeba0df0deaThe Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed Pharmac’s proposed changes to permit substituting and claiming for a subsidised brand when a non-subsidised brand is prescribed. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=35a4cef9-f474-4b27-988f-291252e9afc4Life Pharmacy Limited has offered a three for two renounceable rights issue of partly paid ordinary shares to its shareholders. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d88a4833-7341-4d68-ad3f-eefe7534682fCounties Manukau DHB's pharmacy department is the official host for the 2008 NZ Healthcare Pharmacists' Association conference.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=13279dd5-a6c0-4405-9ec1-e6d17f4d993dPharmac is reporting a national trend of a greater use of targeted antibiotics in under five-year-olds.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e6e48a15-53e7-4640-95cc-680169520281The Australian Government has announced an extra A$909.2m over the next five years for new medicines and extensions to listings for existing funded medicine. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=53716186-82bd-43b2-9127-e3237ec46e7aInsurance company ING has accepted its first claim to fund a twelve month course of Herceptin, a targeted therapy for HER2 positive breast cancer.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=970affc5-4050-4331-8879-be95790fef74The Pharmacy Guild is encouraging its members to meet their local MPs and candidates in the lead up to the general election.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=51384f63-b32d-480a-be17-cdd083bcbb89Pharmex organising committee is looking at ways to inject more energy and excitement in next year's event. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=0c9c8b33-d2ea-4e79-8811-2196a2c09ceaReferrals to the specialist Rhanna Clinic have increased over the past year, from GPs requesting advice and assessment for clients prescribed codeine for pain relief. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=063e2a10-bbae-4bb3-beef-96b89952d0b1Online pharmacy claiming could start in Auckland from as early as August.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=f83fa4d9-955d-4eb6-b71b-a55527cca89cBy 2020 the pharmaceutical research and development process may be shortened by two-thirds, research by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=70a0bd53-71b5-4d84-bbcb-6555d8982ed1Pharmacists are being urged to have their say on the revised Opioid Substitution Treatment NZ Practice Guidelines (2003) covering methadone and buprenorphine treatments.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=64d03827-f93d-473f-abbb-402304561d8dThe official statistics for Pharmex08 have been released and show considerably lower attendance than at the inaugural event in 2007. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=4cc68988-4970-43a1-97f2-18f482f6de8cPrescriptions from any provider with an access arrangement or services agreement with its local DHB or PHOs may cost no more than $3. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=8f60e980-2964-42e8-b75b-7635fa1038acThe Pharmacy Council has ratified a statement giving guidance to pharmacists in determining when, why and how concerns should be raised with prescribers. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=217ae36d-38fa-4d2c-b576-a73ac3bde351Pharmacists wanting to attend any of the Pharmac seminars had better book early as the seminars are now full to capacity until 18 August.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c742206f-52a1-4c6a-9c3c-8e744d6eadcaGemma Waterhouse was the Supreme Award winner at the 2008 Pharmacy Today ProPharma Pharmacy Awards.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=766e162e-00c9-4eac-bae1-ed8f04709831The Pharmacy Guild elected new leadership at its AGM held during Pharmex08, resulting in some changes to its national council. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=5d1eb579-49ed-4ca8-a103-3dfa00431b31Attendance was down at the Pharmex08 trade show and seminar series. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e035511f-6c10-412d-a5f7-7d80380332d2Comvita Medihoney is attracting increased international attention following a clinical trial which found the wound and burn dressings significantly reduce the presence of MRSA in chronic wounds.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=2d146b3d-5862-4c26-b9b3-ea55fd70bb6aDouglas Pharmaceuticals has acquired Natural Health Laboratories, best known for its Clinicians range of dietary supplements and natural health products.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ce9fcb31-9511-43ba-b1b7-615bdf3b9a82Pharmac has begun a training programme to help Maori health workers better understand and use subsidised medicines.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e1b9bab8-d516-4fd7-908c-7f038eb181d5Disparate community pharmacy groups have come together to present a united front on issues affecting the community pharmacy sector. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=9c6998c3-0556-41fe-bb89-8a5118e4a8bdMedsafe has advised prescribers to carefully consider the risks and benefits before prescribing codeine for breastfeeding mothers.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=338b4e64-9b02-4e4d-a0a3-376a33f29cd5Wafers that dissolve on the tongue are the latest funded treatment option for people who suffer from painful migraine headaches. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7126a8f4-64ba-4b7c-a793-f80beff7e140Pharmac is considering a proposal to further expand the range of fully subsidised condoms.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6646a2be-871e-45e3-9ecf-8faffdfb376bNew Zealand can only look with envy and frustration at the Rudd Government’s new initiative to increase investment in pharmaceutical research and development, RMI NZ head Ken Shirley says. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=08db80d3-68da-4ee1-ac85-7b6d25047e0bPharmac is reviewing the guidelines under which its clinical advisory committee, the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Commitee, operates.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=67900d38-b494-4a17-a34e-2b31f35c9deaThe Government has allocated $8.8 million for the development and maintenance of a national medicines formulary over the next four years. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=33e3ace7-e4a0-4bdc-813c-b7d7f7261b14Over $1 million worth of drugs stockpiled as part of bird flu pandemic preparedness have been wasted.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=a91b3559-374b-4bc6-a118-6ad518f0844bA new therapy for kidney cancer, which can slow tumour growth, has been launched in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=030ebf9e-21cf-4df4-9712-f44eb605cbf9A compliance panel has been appointed to consider unresolved complaints relating to The Code in New Zealand. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d68f7c79-0b0d-4070-b15e-b089f468addaRMI chief executive, Ken Shirley, calls for an investigation following revelations of the problem by Consumer NZ.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=cd923a18-d592-4db6-bc15-421824a14b31Mesafe has successfully prosecuted a Chinese medical centre for selling a “Natural Viagra” which contained prescription medicinehttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ddfd4ba8-e28d-4b4a-a288-aa6ced7ec0dfThe Pharmacy Guild has welcomed minor changes to the pharmaceutical schedule, effective June 1. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=614ce0b1-14d0-4fb5-bd79-b1231a472d7aLife Pharmacy Limited has acquired Care Chemist Services Ltd for an undisclosed sum as part of its expansion plans.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=90c76720-5746-4171-95e2-029daad1029cThe Government has announced a programme to immunise girls aged between 12 and 18 against the human papilloma virus (HPV).http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b027b61c-f91f-44d9-9604-41719a1b225dResearched Medicines Industry chair, Dr Pippa MacKay, says she is delighted Medsafe is to lower the fees to register new medicines in New Zealand.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=80b8fa69-9513-4fd2-bca1-b97fbd8f617cLife Pharmacy Limited is withdrawing from its distribution arrangements with Pharmacybrands Limited.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7c0f6458-d5d1-425c-9766-931a2bc48927Tests have confirmed the supply of blood thinner heparin in New Zealand is not contaminated, Medsafe spokesman, Dr Stewart Jessamine, says.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d3a40ee4-8e01-47d8-801a-7d9c1f46204cTwenty finalists have been chosen out of nearly 130 entrants in the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards, including an electronic drug identification tool.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b4b6f597-b4b6-4092-bc11-6176c8c2df98Matthew Brougham has been appointed chief executive of Pharmachttp://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=42a9c1be-1af8-4d90-8493-c76e0ab56105Researchers at the University of Auckland are questioning the evidence which led to the banning of BZP party pills.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=ef657471-d00d-403a-9f2c-1ce724969cb0Annabel Young, former MP and CEO of Federated Farmers, has been appointed chief executive of the Pharmacy Guild.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=919f589a-8d31-4087-8a75-9f686610b06dChloramaphenicol eye preparations are not yet available OTC.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=447cae39-9683-42d8-9787-00e07d3b0078New research suggests pharmacists are comfortable providing Tamiflu without prescription during the influenza season, and do so responsibly. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e88e3d3f-77b9-4c61-b341-e33b9a415a66Pharmacists who prepare syringes for patients at home and in residential care facilities should be aware that Graseby MS16A and MS26 syringe drivers are to be replaced. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=b6d66023-5abd-4174-9a02-803d828304baNew Zealanders are being subjected to mandated, institutional denial of access to modern medicines, the RMI told politicians.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=c2c57c87-5e00-45dd-80bf-ce0e614f5a4eNew Zealand drug regulatory authorities say reports of 20 anaphylactic deaths in the US linked to intravenous heparin should not be a cause of concern for us.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=692d5730-d872-492b-97aa-d50f6e0c20cbColour coded sections on adverse drug reactions, drug and non-drug allergies and complex prescriptions are among the new features incorporated in the standardised national drug chart http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=54319337-f113-4b31-bd6b-8650cd8e5b91Life Pharmacy Limited (NZX: LPL) has announced the appointment of Sam Shosanya to the position of general manager, marketing. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=e6bf2028-ba6b-4065-8da6-134b5f02afe1That is what the fertility experts in Australia and New Zealand claim to have discovered in the Menevit tablet.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=3b97fa83-d879-4520-9075-1dd416cfbb31The Pharmacy Guild is giving the finishing touches to a multi-lingual communication tool intended to make life easier for community pharmacists.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=05f572c3-6acc-4975-9033-31b98bfb9254Safe and Quality Use of Medicines Group has issued an alert warning about possible haemorrhaging following the use of full doses of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in patients with renal impairment.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=1c50729b-8f44-46eb-8980-d6cdfd4b7653Pharmacists will soon have the opportunity to become part of an exclusive domain for healthcare and disability services providers.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=d51e154d-de00-449d-a6ce-55d0b68430d7Heiko Petersen, of Bayer Consumer Care, was elected the new president of the Self Medication Industry Association at its recent AGM. http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=6a8665a0-71f8-46dc-a3e0-19cc8024a19dTim Roper has been named the new executive director of the NZ Self Medication Industry Association.http://pharmacytoday.co.nz/news?objId=7e8e55db-dcb7-409d-a891-3e268dc7a278