Robb, Don't "Cave in" to the US or no more drugs for the needy?

We could end up paying hundreds of millions more for drugs if United States trade negotiators get their way. United States negotiators want 12 years of exclusivity and extended protection for cancer therapy drugs in order to encourage innovation.  The issue has pitted the United States, which has argued for longer protection, against Australia and other delegations who say such measures would strain national healthcare budgets and keep life-saving medicines from patients who cannot afford them.

Gympie Amcal Max introduces new vaccination services

Gympie residents now have increased accessibility to local immunisation services, with Gympie Amcal delivering pharmacist-administered vaccinations against three highly-contagious diseases –influenza, measles and whooping cough.
Gympie Amcal Max is one of 200 pharmacies across Queensland currently participating in the second phase of the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP), which is investigating the benefits of having registered pharmacists provide vaccines in a community pharmacy setting.

•  Influenza –Each year thousands of Queenslanders are hospitalised with the influenza virus, commonly known as “the flu”. As per Queensland Health guidelines, vaccination against influenza is required annually, as the vaccine changes each year to cover the expected disease strains.
• Measles - According to Queensland Health, Queensland is experiencing its worst outbreak of measles in over 15 years and roughly one third of adults who contract measles need to be hospitalised. A booster is recommended for all adults born during or since 1966, unless you have evidence of having already received two doses of the MMR vaccine. This is especially important for healthcare workers, people who work with children and those looking to travel overseas.
• Whooping Cough –Whooping cough immunisation in adults protects vulnerable infants from contracting the potentially life-threatening illness. There is no cure and the illness results in death for one in every 200 babies who contract it. As per Queensland Health guidelines, a whooping cough (pertussis) booster dose is strongly recommended for males and females planning a pregnancy, people working with, living with or caring for babies under six months and any other adults who want to reduce the risk of infection and haven't had a previous booster in the last ten years.

QPIP has been authorised by the Queensland Government, as part of a commitment to increase immunisation rates in Queensland, and provide Queenslanders with greater access to medical services. QPIP is being delivered in partnership with The Pharmacy Guild, The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, James Cook University and Queensland University of Technology.
As the community’s most accessible and frequently used health care providers, pharmacists have a unique opportunity to boost immunisation rates.
If you would like to find out more about being immunised, or to book an appointment, please contact Gympie Amcal Max,   Phone 07 5482 1027 or at 14-18 Mary Street, Gympie.  (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Depression

One in six Australians are likely to experience depression and one in four likely to experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Research shows that 65% of people who have experienced a mental health disorder in the last 12 months did not seek help. These statistics clearly show there is more need now than ever before for pharmacists to play a role in mental health in the community.

Chronic Pain: a constant daily pain!

                                         Chronic pain affects around 20% of Australian adults.
Chronic pain is usually defined, in medical terms, as constant daily pain that is present for at least three of the preceding six months. Chronic pain can have many causes, sometimes it's the result of a severe injury or a disease (eg, arthritis) but it can also have no diagnosable cause.
Prevalence of chronic or persistent pain rises as people age.
Most patients with chronic pain use at least one medicine – and many rely solely on medicine to manage their pain. However, chronic pain is complex and good management requires a mix of physical, psychological and medical treatment. Often opioid narcotics are prescribed as 'pain killers', but their use is limited. Medicines should only be seen as part of a comprehensive pain management plan, rather than an end in themselves.