Clarification on Abrysvo® and Beyfortus™ Availability
There’s been confusion about the availability of Abrysvo® and Beyfortus™ through the NIP. Abrysvo® will join the NIP in 2025 but is currently private-only, while Beyfortus™ access is managed by States and Territories. Stay informed on these updates!
Take Home Naloxone Program: A Life-Saving Initiative for Opioid Overdose Prevention
Join the Take Home Naloxone Program this Mental Health Week to empower communities in preventing opioid overdoses. With free, accessible naloxone, anyone can save a life.
TGA's New Paracetamol Scheduling Decision to Address Safety Concerns | Effective Feb 2025
On 3rd May 2023, the TGA announced the final decision to amend the scheduling of paracetamol in the Poisons Standard effective 1st of February 2025.The decision has been made following an independent expert report showing around 225 people are hospitalised with liver injury and 50...
Novo Nordisk Insulin Product Discontinuations: Key Updates & Info
Novo Nordisk is phasing out key insulin products like Levemir and Fiasp over the next two years. Discover which products are affected, what alternatives are available, and how to manage the changes with help from the TGA's resources.
Join the Team!
Job Description: Administrator - Inventory Manager About the Position: Ideally, the successful applicant will have experience managing an inventory. The position will manage the inventory of a Community Pharmacy with around 8000 items, a relatively small inventory that can be...
Cold Chain Management Update - 23 Oct 24 Townsville
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, together with Townsville Public Health Unit invites general practice and pharmacy staff to a free education session to upskill your knowledge on cold chain management.  Join us for an update on cold chain management requirements,...
Urgent Medicine Recall: Palexia SR Tapentadol 50 mg Tablets - TGA Notice
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an urgent medicine recall for Palexia SR tapentadol (as hydrochloride) 50 mg sustained release tablet blister pack. The product sponsor has been informed of a complaint from a hospital regarding Palexia (tapentadol) SR...
Urgent call as whooping cough cases surge in Queensland.
Urgent Call as Whooping Cough Cases Surge Pregnant people are being encouraged to protect themselves and their unborn baby by getting a free whooping cough vaccine. This year there have been more than 7,000 cases reported compared to just over...
Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in Yarrabah | Queensland Health Alert
Public Health Alert: Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in Yarrabah Community Queensland Health’s Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns), in collaboration with Townsville Public Health Services and Mackay Public Health Services, has issued a critical public health alert due to a meningococcal disease...
Ongoing pertussis outbreak
Public Health Units in Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay have requested we distribute this clinician alert to clinicians in the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) region.  Key points are as followed  There is an ongoing community-wide outbreak of pertussis in...
Temporary supply shortage of Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate) 6 mg/mL Powder for Oral Suspension
Roche Products Pty Limited (Australia) would like to inform you of a temporary supply shortage of Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate) 6 mg/mL Powder for Oral Suspension, with their next delivery planned in early August 2024. This shortage is due to an...
S19A interim approved medicines
Ongoing supply disruptions for many medicines continue to create challenges for patients, pharmacists, and prescribers. To manage these shortages, several S19A medicines have been approved for interim use in Australia, including Orencia® (abatacept) single dose syringe, Ozempic® (semaglutide) pre-filled pen,...
Managing Medicine Shortages: S19A Approved Medicines in Australia
Ongoing supply disruptions for many medicines continue to create challenges for patients, pharmacists, and prescribers. To assist in managing these shortages, several S19A medicines have been approved for interim use in Australia, including: Orencia® (abatacept) single dose syringe Ozempic® (semaglutide)...
Update: MediSecure Data Breach | Healthcare Prescriptions Unaffected
MediSecure Data Breach Incident Update The Guild has received an update on the MediSecure data breach incident. The National Office of Cyber Security (NOCS) continues to lead the national response and provide guidance on the situation. Healthcare providers can continue...
Orencia Shortage: Substitution Plan in Place from May 15 to Oct 31, 2024
Update: 14 May 2024 - Orencia (Abatacept) 125 mg/mL Shortage  Orencia (abatacept) 125 mg/mL ClickJect autoinjector and prefilled syringe for subcutaneous injection are currently in shortage. This shortage has started earlier than expected, impacting both products: ClickJect (autoinjector): Shortage from...
50 Years of Vaccines: 154 Million Lives Saved, Study Reveals
Vaccines have been transformative for public health. New research led by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that vaccines have saved approximately 154 million lives over the past 50 years, primarily protecting children under five, with around two-thirds of those...
2024 shortage of Orencia medicines
The pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia (BMS) is anticipating shortages of both Orencia (abatacept) 125 mg products:Product and supply statusClickJect (autoinjector) in shortage 3 June to 30 August 2024Prefilled syringe in shortage 17 June to 30 September 2024Information for pharmacistsBMS...
Clinician alert: High rates of influenza across North Queensland
Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) and Townsville Public Health Unit have requested we distribute this letter to clinicians in the region.We have been seeing high rates of influenza A throughout North Queensland, with resulting strain on the healthcare system.This is concerning...
Clinician alert: Permethrin 5% cream (Lyclear®) shortage
Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) and Townsville Public Health Unit have requested we distribute this factsheet to clinicians in the region. Permethrin 5% cream (Lyclear®) is currently in short supply due to supplier change, with the estimated next supply date in...
COVID-19: Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) updated with 2024 COVID advice
AIH updated with information about COVID-19, vaccines and recommendations for vaccination The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) has been updated with information about COVID-19, vaccines and recommendations for vaccination. March 2024...
Urgent medicine recall: FLUOXETINE SANDOZ fluoxetine (as hydrochloride) 20mg capsule blister pack
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an urgent medicine recall for FLUOXETINE SANDOZ fluoxetine (as hydrochloride) 20mg capsule blister pack. The product sponsor has been notified that 13 batches have been affected by the N-Nitroso-fluoxetine impurity. Product Details Batch...