Latest News

07

Dec 2017

Insight NZ's work linked to Best OTC Medicine Launch for 2017

Insight NZ created the campaign that led to a newcomer to the New Zealand footcare market, Rejuvenail Anti-Fungal Nail Lacquer has been named Best Over-the-Counter Medicine Launch at the NZ Self-Medication Industry Marketing Excellence Awards. SMI is New Zealand's consumer healthcare products industry body and its annual awards attract entries from leading OTC medicine manufacturers and marketers.

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07

Dec 2017

The drugs we couldn't get enough of: more than 200 cases of shortages over six years

Drugs to treat depression, Parkinson's disease, head lice, scabies and migraines ran out 11 times over four years, and others have been in short supply 211 times, Pharmac figures reveal. The shortages mean some patients have to pick up supplies every week as they trickle in.

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05

Dec 2017

Ban on prescribing OTC medicines in UK delivers big cost savings

Restricting prescriptions for OTC medicines could free up millions of GP appointments, according to the NHS GPs in England have been banned from routinely prescribing medicines available over the counter, in a move the NHS hopes will save up to £141 milli

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20

Nov 2017

Natural Health Products bill gets quietly dropped

Today Newsroom reported that the Natural Health Products bill has been quietly dropped. Fellow Sciblogger Mark Hanna offered thoughts on this in an interview. There is a need to address an unregulated market that has problems. In an earlier piece, I offered some thoughts on the draft bill.

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17

Nov 2017

Cheaper prescriptions and suncare as Aussie pharmacy chain hits NZ

New Zealanders are about to get cheaper prices for prescription drugs and many other everyday items as a big Australian pharmacy chain sets up in Auckland. Chemist Warehouse has opened its first New Zealand store in St Lukes and plans to open about 10 more stores around Auckland next year, before expanding to Wellington and Christchurch.

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17

Nov 2017

False UV protection claims not good enough for sunbathers

less than a minute ago False UV protection claims not good enough for sunbathers less than a minute ago Share this eric.frykberg@radionz.co.nz Sunbathers in Wellington today appeared to be dismayed to find two brands of sunscreen were withdrawn for false levels of UV protections and a third had its status downgraded.

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17

Oct 2017

Bayer New Zealand announces Matthias Stuchly as new head of consumer health

New Zealand's OTC (over the counter) medications environment is one of the most advanced in the world and a model that many countries will emulate in future. That's the view of Matthias Stuchly, who has taken over as general manager at Bayer New Zealand's consumer health division.

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17

Oct 2017

Pharmacists lobby against codeine prescription move

Pharmacists lobby against codeine prescription move 4 minutes ago Making common over-the-counter painkillers prescription-only will clog up already stretched medical centres and leave others suffering in silence, pharmacists say. Photo: 123RF The regulator Medsafe is about to decide whether to restrict drugs containing codeine after Australia bought in a similar rule last year to combat opioid abuse.

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17

Oct 2017

New research finds probiotics may reduce postnatal depression

Researchers from the University of Auckland and Otago have found evidence that a probiotic given in pregnancy can help prevent or treat symptoms of postnatal depression and anxiety. The Probiotics in Pregnancy Study is a two-centre study (Wellington and Auckland) funded by the Health Research Council and Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, which is primarily examining the effect of a probiotic on the development of infant eczema.

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15

Oct 2017

Most pregnant women not taking important supplements

Almost two-thirds of women fail to take the supplements recommended by the Ministry of Health when pregnant. The Ministry of Health rarely recommended using supplements but did urge mothers to take additional iodine and folic acid before and during pregnancy, and iodine when breastfeeding, to help avoid neurodevelopmental problems in their babies.

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28

Sep 2017

Medsafe highlights the dangers of purchasing medicines online

Medsafe is reminding New Zealanders of the dangers of purchasing medicines online from overseas, following a global week of action led by INTERPOL. For the tenth time Medsafe with New Zealand Customs recently participated in the annual international initiative known as Operation PANGEA, to highlight the illicit trade in medicines around the world.

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16

Aug 2017

Pain drugs may breach Fair Trading Act

Two pharmaceutical companies have been warned over the packaging and marketing of some pain relievers. The Commerce Commission has issued warnings to Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare New Zealand Limited and AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited that some products were likely to have breached the Fair Trading Act.

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08

Aug 2017

Nit treatment could be free without prescription, saving parents hundreds of dollars

Source: Pharmac is considering making a government-funded treatment for head lice available free over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription. Nit treatment is currently free for kids - but you have to go to a doctor to get it. Source: Seven Sharp

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28

Jul 2017

Increase in needle waste and unwanted medicine disposals

More people are returning their unused drugs to pharmacies and health authorities are pleased not as much is being dumped in the wrong places. The number of returned medicines, such as expired tablets and bottles, has almost doubled in the area covered by the MidCentral District Health Board, from 60,500 items in 2009-10, to 117,800 in 2016-17.

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28

Jul 2017

Pharmac proposes pharmacists supply funded NRT and emergency pill

We are looking for an enthusiastic General Practitioner to work at our NorthCare Medical centre based in Hamilton. Barrington Medical Centre offer an excellent opportunity to join a large, established, purpose built practice in a multidisciplinary suburban practice.

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25

Jul 2017

Naivety around adults' continued overuse of paracetamol

Toxicologists say the appropriate dosage levels for paracetamol are listed on the packet for a reason. Recently released coronial findings have ruled a Wellington woman died of liver failure after accidentally poisoning herself with the drug. National Poison Centre medical toxicologist Michael Beasley said it's a tragic death that was likely preventable.

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25

Jul 2017

Take a look at... Thalidomide dispensing extended to community pharmacies

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24

Jul 2017

Guild congratulates Community Pharmacy of the Year

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) congratulates Waimauku Village Pharmacy for winning the Community Pharmacy of the Year award at the 2017 Pharmacy Awards held on Saturday night (22 July). This year's awards ceremony was held at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland and saw approximately 300 pharmacists and pharmacy stakeholders from around the country attend the event.

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18

Jul 2017

Seasonal illnesses keep pharmacists busy

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13

Jul 2017

Pharmacists surprised by call for clozapine guidelines update

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