As we get older we are more likely to develop different chronic illnesses that require us to take several different medications. This is known as polypharmacy.
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In the majority of cases, medications help patients. But even when treatment of individual illnesses is effective, treatment as a whole can become problematic.
A new review of Australian health care workers’ scope of practice should focus on expanding pharmacists prescribing for stable conditions and long-term medications, under the direction of a GP.
The progestin-only pill Opill could be available in early 2024.
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With the approval of the first over-the-counter oral contraceptive, pharmacists stand to play an ever-increasing role in helping expand access to reproductive health care in the post-Roe era.
You may soon be able to visit your pharmacist to get certain medicines without seeing a GP first.
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Pharmacists develop basic mental health knowledge as part of their formal training. But they report a lack the confidence about raising mental health issues with patients.
The over-the-counter birth control pill will not require medical examinations or prescriptions prior to purchase.
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Some states already allow pharmacists to provide birth control to patients with a prescription. But FDA approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill could greatly expand access.
OTC hearing aids promise to increase the accessibility and affordability of the devices for millions of adults who live with untreated mild to moderate hearing loss.
Having multiple prescriptions is difficult enough to keep track of, let alone ones with complicated names.
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Thinking carefully about people’s health during and after disaster is crucial to building disaster resilience. Ensuring access to medicines is a core part of that goal.
A successful rollout isn’t just about the physical points where people can get the vaccinations. It’s also about having a trained workforce to administer them.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne