News

Queensland Health has announced their commitment to achieving virtual elimination of HIV transmission by 2030, in support of the UNAIDS HIV targets. UNAIDS is a United Nations global HIV/AIDS program that brings together organisations (including WHO, World Bank, World Food...

Spiriva Respimat is used for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema) and asthma. It is sold as an inhalation solution in an inhaler device that counts the doses provided, up to a...

A severe heatwave warning has been issued for areas of Queensland (see below list) valid for Wednesday 3 January 2024 to Saturday 6 January 2024. Severe Heatwave Warning for the following Districts:  Peninsula Gulf Country North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Herbert and Lower...

A severe heatwave warning has been issued for areas of Queensland (see below list) valid for Wednesday 27 December 2023 to Saturday 30 December 2023. Severe Heatwave Warning for the following Districts: Herbert and Lower Burdekin Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Districts...

The Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measure) arrangements have been implemented, effective immediately, until 1 March 2024 in response to the flooding disaster in Far North Queensland. The Emergency Measure will allow pharmacists...

Semaglutide compounding safety alert   The TGA has published a safety alert about pharmacists compounding semaglutide-like products. In the alert, the TGA highlights:  compounding is reserved for when registered products are unavailable, have failed or are unsuitable for a patient  pharmacists are...

Logiwash Sodium Chloride for Irrigation 0.9%The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been made aware of possible contamination of Sodium Chloride 0.9% manufactured by Legency Remedies Private. This is due to reported cases of Ralstonia pickettii in multiple jurisdictions.Preliminary testing now indicates...

Expected Drug Shortages  Over the last week, the TGA announced the following meds are likely to have their supply impacted:  Drugs Returning to Stock These medications have recently become available again (stock can take a few extra days to flow...

There is currently a shortage of fluoxetine 20mg dispersible tablets (Zactin®) due to manufacturing issues. Supply issues are expected to continue until 29th February 2024. The TGA has published a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) to allow pharmacists to substitute...

AEROWASH Eyewash and Wound Irrigation (15 mL & 30 mL)The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been made aware of possible contamination of Sodium Chloride 0.9% products manufactured by Legency Remedies Private. While investigations into this continue, all batches of AEROWASH Eyewash...

From 1 December 2023, the PBS Safety Net Early Supply Rule for 60-Day Prescriptions has been updated to a 50-day interval. The current PBS Safety Net Early Supply Rule interval of 20-days will now only apply to 30-Day prescriptions.The early...

🎄 The Countdown to Christmas is On! 🎅  Get ready for a festive season filled with joy and cheer. 🌟 To make your Christmas shopping hassle-free, check out the Auspost lodgement dates. 📆 Secure your preferred stock by placing December...

Expected Drug Shortages  Over the last week, the TGA announced the following meds are likely to have their supply impacted:      Drugs Returning to Stock These medications have recently become available again (stock can take a few extra days...

We are currently experiencing an increase in notifications of pertussis across Queensland. Despite routine pertussis vaccination on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), pertussis is still common in Australia with outbreaks experienced every few years. Infants under 6 months of age...

Department of Health Clinical Care Alert: Benzathine Benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) Shortage The Queensland Department of Health has requested we distribute this factsheet to clinicians in the region.The shortage is due to disruption at the point of manufacturing. The shortage is expected...

Expected drug shortages: Over the last week, the TGA announced the following meds are likely to have their supply impacted:  Drugs returning to stock: These medications have recently become available again (stock can take a few extra days to flow...