[NPS]: Updates in November
Reference:
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Australian Prescriber is an independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on therapeutic topics for health professionals and health professional students. It reviews recent evidence where therapy is evolving and comments on newly marketed drugs in Australia.
Australian Prescriber is a free publication released six times a year and is available in print and online.
Volume 35 Number 6 December 2012: http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/35/6/issue/187.pdf
eLearning @ NPS
eLearning @ NPS is a digital newsletter containing news and updates about NPS online learning resources. It is published four times a year.
The online learning resources support quality use of medicines and medical tests, both in a hospital and practice setting, and are available free to health professionals, students and academics. The learning modules address topics including medication safety, confident and rational prescribing, and more. Many modules attract continuing professional development points.
Academics are invited to include NPS eLearning modules in their curriculum.
Subscribe to eLearning @ NPS to be notified when new issues are released.
Latest issue
eLearning @ NPS November 2012
Be more productive using Google Drive – Polypharmacy, the most popular NPC module – Attention course coordinators! Need to enrol your cohort for NPC in 2013? – The MedicineWise Practitioner – NIMC a finalist for AITD Learning Award.
Medicinewise News
Medicinewise News provides health professionals with up to date, succinct and independent information on therapeutic topics and related issues. It offers evidence-based advice on quality prescribing and use of medical tests. Medicinewise News replaces the former NPS News and Practice Review.
Medicinewise News is a free publication available in print and online.
Subscribe to the NPS Direct email to be notified when new issues are published.
Latest issue
Magnetic resonance imaging in primary care
Where and when are the most appropriate time to use imaging for patients? There are new MBS items to fund referral for MRI by GPs
NPS Direct
NPS Direct is a new monthly e-newsletter for Australian health professionals, designed to meet your information needs and keep you up to date with the latest evidence on medicines, medical devices and current health topics.
With concise articles about relevant health topics, each issue will provide:
- information about medicines and medical devices
- evidence-based articles dealing with current health topics
- links to publications and resources
- access to accredited online learning activities.
Subscribe to the NPS Direct email alert to be notified when new issues are released.
Latest issue
Immunisation — physicians call for vigilance not complacency
The 2012 Royal Australasian College of Physicians Immunisation Position Statement supports a holistic approach to immunisation, including improving communication with patients, parents or carers; advocating the benefits of routine vaccination; and keeping up to date with current immunisation recommendations.
Do statins reduce cancer-related mortality?
A recent retrospective cohort study of people diagnosed with cancer showed a 15% average reduction in death from cancer among people using statins before and after diagnosis compared with those who had never used statins. However, this trial had several limitations, and further prospective clinical trials are required to investigate whether statins may be associated with reduced cancer-related mortality.
Got feedback?
Please take a couple of minutes to answer a few questions and let us know what you think about NPS Direct. We also welcome suggestions for what you would like to receive in future issues.
NPS News
NPS News is now combined with Practice Review in a new publication called Medicinewise News. See Medicinewise News for more information. Past issues of NPS News are still available to view online (see below).
Latest issue
Type 2 diabetes
Focuses on the role of drug treatments to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, requires management of lifestyle, BP, lipids and glucose.
NPS RADAR: independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and the latest research for doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals.
NPS RADAR provides health professionals with timely, independent evidence-based information on new drugs and medical tests and changes to listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
NPS RADAR is print-published three times a year, in line with major updates to the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, so it is available around the time when new medicines can be prescribed or dispensed.
Our free NPS RADAR email alerts keep subscribers up to date with new drugs and medical tests in between printed issues.
Latest issue
Pregabalin (Lyrica) for neuropathic pain
Pregabalin is a treatment option to relieve pain and improve quality of sleep in postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Rivaroxaban has a new listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as a once-daily oral anticoagulant for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Brief item: quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine
In 2013 the recombinant quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) vaccine (4vHPV) will be available on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for boys aged 12–13 years.
Brief item: PBS listing for rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for DVT
From 1 December 2012, rivaroxaban can be prescribed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) without symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) and to prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Rasagiline (Azilect) for Parkinson’s disease
Rasagiline is a new irreversible monoamine oxidase type-B (MAO-B) inhibitor for reducing off-time and motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Search past issues of NPS RADAR
NPS RADAR December 2012
- Pregabalin (Lyrica) for neuropathic pain
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation
- Rasagiline (Azilect) for Parkinson’s disease
- Brief item: quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil) available for boys
- Brief item: PBS listing for rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for DVT
NPS RADAR December 2011
- Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (acute mania or maintenance)
- Oxycodone-with-naloxone controlled-release tablets (Targin) for chronic severe pain
- Indacaterol (Onbrez) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Ticagrelor (Brilinta) for acute coronary syndrome
- Generic losartan (Cozavan) PBS listed for hypertension
- Budesonide with eformoterol (Symbicort Turbuhaler) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Long-acting intramuscular injectable form of paliperidone (Invega Sustenna) for schizophrenia
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa) safety update: assess and monitor kidney function
NPS RADAR August 2011
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
- Varenicline (Champix) safety update: possible increase in serious cardiovascular events
- 13-Valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 13) listed on the National Immunisation Program
- Generic brand of fentanyl patches (Denpax) PBS listed
- Dutasteride with tamsulosin (Duodart) PBS listed for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Saxagliptin (Onglyza) tablets PBS listed for type 2 diabetes
- Pioglitazone and bladder cancer: new safety advice
NPS RADAR July 2011
- Sitagliptin, vildagliptin and saxagliptin — dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (‘gliptins’) for add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Rosiglitazone (Avandia) and rosiglitazone with metformin (Avandamet): streamlined authority removed
- Daily dose requirements removed from PBS listings for ezetimibe and ezetimibe with simvastatin (Ezetrol, Vytorin)
NPS RADAR April 2011
- Dutasteride (Avodart) and dutasteride with tamsulosin (Duodart) for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Adapalene with benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo) for severe acne vulgaris
- Varenicline (Champix) for smoking cessation
- Vildagliptin with metformin (Galvumet) fixed-dose combination tablets PBS listed for type 2 diabetes
NPS RADAR August 2010
- Sitagliptin, vildagliptin and saxagliptin — dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (‘gliptins’) for add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Immediate-release pramipexole (Sifrol) and extended-release pramipexole (Sifrol ER) for Parkinson’s disease
- Adrenaline autoinjector (Anapen) for acute allergic anaphylaxis
- Paracetamol with caffeine (Panadol Extra) available over the counter from pharmacies
- PBS listing of extended-release pramipexole (Sifrol ER) for Parkinson’s disease
- Exenatide (Byetta): first in another new class of diabetes drugs
- Anakinra (Kineret) to be deleted from the PBS
NPS RADAR April 2010
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa) for preventing venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement surgery
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt) 10 mg wafers for migraine, and revised listings for other 5HT1 agonists (‘triptans’)
- Postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis with sitagliptin products (Janumet, Januvia)
- Extended PBS listings for zoledronic acid 5mg (Aclasta)
NPS RADAR December 2009
- Prasugrel (Effient) for acute coronary syndrome in people undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
- Immediate-release pramipexole (Sifrol) and extended-release pramipexole (Sifrol ER) for Parkinson’s disease
- Olanzapine depot injection (Zyprexa Relprevv) for schizophrenia
- Varenicline (Champix) safety update: serious neuropsychiatric and dermatological adverse events
- Etoricoxib (Arcoxia): be aware of hypertension risk
- New pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (Synflorix) added to the national immunisation schedule
- Montelukast (Singulair) PBS listed for exercise-induced asthma in children aged 6–14 years
- Authority listing for ciprofloxacin ear drops extended
NPS RADAR August 2009
- Teriparatide (Forteo) for severe osteoporosis
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for preventing venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement surgery
- Praziquantel (Biltricide) tablets PBS listed for schistosomiasis
- Oxybutynin patch (Oxytrol) PBS listed as an alternative for overactive bladder
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples PBS listings
- Sitagliptin with metformin (Janumet) fixed-dose combination tablets PBS listed for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Risedronate (Actonel Once-a-month) and summary of anti-resorptive drug listings
- Clopidogrel (Iscover, Plavix) PBS listing extended to cardiac stent insertion
NPS RADAR April 2009
- Pramipexole (Sifrol) for severe primary restless legs syndrome
- Zoledronic acid (Aclasta) for osteoporosis
- Ziprasidone (Zeldox): another atypical antipsychotic listed for acute mania in bipolar disorder
- Clopidogrel (Iscover, Plavix) PBS listing extended to cardiac stent insertion
- Sublingual desmopressin PBS listed — where does desmopressin fit in primary nocturnal enuresis?
NPS RADAR March 2009
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) for major depressive disorder
- Valsartan (Diovan) and combinations with hydrochlorothiazide (Co-Diovan) or amlodipine (Exforge)
- Clopidogrel (Iscover, Plavix) PBS listing extended to include acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in combination with aspirin
- Risedronate (Actonel and Actonel Once-a-Week) for corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis
NPS RADAR December 2008
- Rosiglitazone (Avandia) and rosiglitazone with metformin (Avandamet) for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Alendronate with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 (Fosamax Plus) for osteoporosis
- Zoledronic acid (Aclasta) for osteoporosis
- Once-daily tramadol extended-release (Durotram XR) for pain
- Nicotine patches for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Second human papillomavirus vaccine (Cervarix) included on the National Immunisation Program
- Quetiapine extended-release tablets (Seroquel XR) PBS listed for schizophrenia
- Rosiglitazone: listings for triple oral therapy and combination with insulin removed
- Alendronate with cholecalciferol (Fosamax Plus): new formulation contains more vitamin D
- Prescribing for up to 12 months allowed for some medicines for some people with chronic conditions
- Erratum: Memantine (Ebixa) for dementia in moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease
NPS RADAR August 2008
- Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (‘gliptins’) for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Memantine (Ebixa) for moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for major depressive disorder
- Escitalopram (Lexapro, Esipram) for generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
- Automatic eGFR reporting — its role in screening for kidney disease and drug-dosing decisions
- Lercanidipine with enalapril (Zan-Extra) fixed-dose combination tablets PBS listed for hypertension
- Palliative care drugs added to the Emergency Drug (Doctor’s Bag) Supplies
- Zolpidem and sleep-related behaviours
- Rivastigmine (Exelon) patch PBS listed for Alzheimer’s disease
- Change to methotrexate pack sizes due to safety concerns
NPS RADAR April 2008
- Fentanyl lozenges (Actiq) for breakthrough cancer pain
- Varenicline (Champix) for smoking cessation
- Paliperidone (Invega) for schizophrenia
- Pioglitazone (Actos) for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin LA): a second controlled-release formulation PBS listed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Smaller dose volume of influenza vaccine PBS listed for children aged 6-35 months
- Terbinafine authority listed for fungal infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
NPS RADAR December 2007
- Rosiglitazone (Avandia) and rosiglitazone with metformin (Avandamet) for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Topiramate (Topamax) for migraine prevention
- Quetiapine (Seroquel) PBS listed for acute mania
- Sevelamer (Renagel) 800 mg tablets PBS listed for adults with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis
- Another ultra-short-acting insulin PBS listed: insulin glulisine
NPS RADAR August 2007
- Budesonide with eformoterol dry powder inhaler (Symbicort) maintenance and reliever regimen for asthma
- Fluticasone propionate with salmeterol xinafoate (Seretide) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil)
- Rotavirus vaccines (Rotarix and RotaTeq) for prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis
- Strontium ranelate (Protos) for postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Atomoxetine (Strattera) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Olmesartan medoxomil (Olmetec) monotherapy or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (Olmetec Plus) for hypertension
- Brief item: risedronate sodium (Actonel) and risedronate sodium with calcium carbonate (Actonel Combi) listing for osteoporosis in patients at high risk of fracture
- Brief item: levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (Mirena) now PBS listed for idiopathic menorrhagia
- Brief item: be aware of dose ranges for new ramipril with felodipine combination (Triasyn) (see erratum below)
- Brief item: perindopril arginine with indapamide hemihydrate (Coversyl Plus)
- Brief item: alternative hydroxocobalamin product PBS listed
- Brief item: cholinesterase inhibitors: change in authority requirements for cognitive testing
- Brief item: benzhexol hydrochloride misuse
- Brief item: rosiglitazone and cardiovascular risk – NPS fact sheet
NPS RADAR April 2007
- Alendronate (Alendro Once Weekly, Fosamax Once Weekly, Fosamax Plus) for osteoporosis in people at high risk of fracture
- Methylphenidate extended-release (Concerta) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Ciprofloxacin ear drops (Ciloxan) for chronic suppurative otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Sildenafil (Revatio) listed for pulmonary hypertension
- Trandolapril 4 mg with verapamil sustained-release 240 mg fixed-dose combination tablet (Tarka) to be listed on PBS
- Medicine Update: the new consumer version of NPS RADAR
NPS RADAR December 2006
- Amlodipine with atorvastatin (Caduet) for dyslipidaemia with concomitant hypertension or angina
- Imiquimod cream (Aldara) for superficial basal cell carcinoma
- Insulin glargine (Lantus) for type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus
- Pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) for facial atopic dermatitis
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor) for dyslipidaemia
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin) PBS listed for early breast cancer
- Rosiglitazone with metformin combination tablets (Avandamet) listed on the PBS.
- Exemestane (Aromasin) and letrozole ( Femara) listings extended to early breast cancer in postmenopausal women
- Hydroxocobalamin should be given every 2-3 months
- Erratum: Fentanyl patches (Durogesic) for chronic pain
NPS RADAR August 2006
- Alendronate with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 (Fosamax Plus) for osteoporosis
- Adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen) for acute allergic anaphylaxis
- Fentanyl patches (Durogesic) for chronic pain
- Lumiracoxib (Prexige) for osteoarthritis
- Moxonidine (Physiotens) for hypertension
- Change of perindopril (Coversyl) salt from erbumine to arginine
- New vaccine for pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus (Adacel)
- Medicines listed on the PBS for Indigenous Australians
- New drugs added to palliative care list
- Ferrous fumarate 310 mg with folic acid 300 microgram (Ferro-F-Tab) tablets — unrestricted listing
- Pseudoephedrine on prescription
- Pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) authority wording changed
Nurse Update
Nurse Update is a digital newsletter for nurses that promotes quality use of medicines and medical tests in nursing practice. Articles contain information about current NPS therapeutic programs and focus on practical ways nurses can help their patients. The newsletter also features links to other NPS learning resources for nurses, including publications and online learning modules.
Nurse Update is published six times a year.
Subscribe to the Nurse Update email alert to be notified when a new issue is published.
Latest issue
Latest issue of Australian Prescriber out now
The August 2012 issue of Australian Prescriber is out now and looks at long-acting beta2 agonists, medical management of endometriosis, management of cystic fibrosis in adults, and more.
Feed your competency
Covers drug use evaluation (DUE) and other tools & resources for registerdd nurses 2:39 PM 19/11/2012 for aged-care facilities, the latest NPS case study, on Intensifying glycaemic control; activities for practice nurses; Medicinewise Practitioner online modules for nurse practitioners; the National Inpatient Medication Chart.
NPS publications
List the latest issues of NPS health professional publications.
Consumer publications
List the latest issues of NPS consumer publications.
New medication safety online learning program
NPS MedicineWise, with the assistance of NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group (NSW TAG), has developed an interactive Medication Safety online learning program as a national resource for hospital-based nurses. The program explores the various causes of medication errors, provides a broad perspective of medication safety and equips nurses with the knowledge and skills to help prevent errors from occurring in the workplace.
NPS MedicineWise would like to know what you think
The NPS team is looking to find out more about practice nurses’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours, to help us inform our upcoming therapeutic topics. By being involved in a telephone interview, you can help us to develop evidence-based therapeutic programs and resources that meet the clinical needs of practice nurses.
NPS MedicineWise launches new program on type 2 diabetes
The latest therapeutic program from NPS MedicineWise, Type 2 Diabetes: Priorities and Targets, encourages health professionals to take a holistic approach when caring for their patients with type 2 diabetes and to address blood pressure and lipids as a priority.
Type 2 diabetes webinar for nurses
NPS MedicineWise will host a free live webinar on Thursday 1 November, 2012 for diabetes educators, nurse practitioners, practice nurses, rural and remote nurses and registered nurses with an interest in type 2 diabetes.
Cough and cold medicine warning for children
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released new advice restricting the use of cough and cold medicines in young children. This advice comes amid concerns they have limited efficacy and may even be harmful.
Nursing Insight Group
NPS is establishing a Nursing Insight Group to provide high-level guidance and advice to enhance the support we offer to the nursing profession. We invite applications from nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives with an interest in improving utilisation and knowledge about medicines and medical tests
September 2012
Nurse Update September 2012
Practice Review
Practice Review (formerly known as Prescribing Practice Review) is now combined with NPS News in a new publication called Medicinewise News. See Medicinewise News for more information.
Past issues of Practice Review are still available to view online (see below).
Latest issue
Type 2 diabetes – priorities and targets
Type 2 diabetes is progressive and requires long-term management and regular monitoring of multiple cardiovascular and microvascular risk factors