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People with high autistic tendencies see the world very differently
I once viewed an ABC health program where an eminent psychologist was commenting on different levels of the autistic spectrum. In particular, she referred to people who had Asperger’s Syndrome and how they all seemed to have high IQ’s and an obsession with specific detail. Her punch line was that many of these people had…
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Antibiotics – are we doing out bit?
Reduced antibiotic prescribing is associated with lower patient satisfaction on the national General Practice Patient Survey, according to a new study by King’s College London. The NHS GP Patient Survey is a component of the NHS Quality Outcomes Framework that informs GP’s pay-for-performance. Do we support our local GP’s decision not to prescribe an antibiotic?…
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Engage with Marijuana Opportunities
With the recent announcement by Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, that Australia will have a single licencing system for the controlled cultivation of cannabis, Australia will now have a streamlined system for medical or scientific cannabis development and production which will avoid some of the problems in other countries where it has not been appropriately…
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Pineapple Express – A Retail Store Concept for the Sale of Marijuana
Editor’s Note: The Pineapple Express has engaged design firm, The McBride Company, to envision the future of cannabis culture (and consumerism). While the laws in the US are completely different to Australia (some states in the US allow recreational use of marijuana) it is not beyond expectation that a similar culture will emerge in Australia.…
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A Healthy Relationship?
The 2nd Annual Blackmore’s Institute Symposium 2015, held in Melbourne late last month, was titled “Translating Research into Practice”. The speaker line-up was impressive, as their workbook states, “catering for the clinical needs of a wide spectrum of healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, pharmacists, naturopaths, nutritionists and complementary medicine practitioners”. I was therefore surprised at…
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The National Centre for Research on Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIM) – What is it?
The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) recently changed its name. It replaced the word ‘Alternative’ with ‘Integrative’, to reflect both the “growth of integrative health care within communities across the US” and its research focus. This is the third time this agency has been re-named. Is this just another attempt to give…
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A Constant Stream of Expensive Drugs
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, November 16, 2015 It would be novel indeed to see a news media report entitled “Life- Saving Vitamins.” That’s a headline about vitamins that would be true for once. Instead, I see folks on TV speaking about those drugs they so desperately “need” while they plead with drug companies to just…
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Hay fever options
An interesting article written by a number of academics promises to give some relief to the 15% of Australians who experience hay fever, or allergic rhinitis. Predictably, they list oral and nasal decongestants, antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and immunotherapy as the best medical options. I was therefore surprised to note the absence of isotonic saline…
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Crazy, cruel cancer ‘cures’
Some cancer patients, ignoring medical advice, are choosing ‘natural’ approaches to their disease. Steve Jobs (co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc), Penelope Dingle, Sharyn and her daughter, Jess Ainscough, all used alternative interventions before dying of cancer. Despite phenomenal progress with medical treatments, cancer quackery remains a flourishing and lucrative business throughout the developed…
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Medical Marijuana Creates Clinical and Financial Opportunity for Pharmacists
The Australian Government intends to amend the Narcotic Drugs Act to allow cannabis to be grown for medicine or science and ensure that Australia is not in breach of international drug treaties. In Australia currently Cannabis is prohibited or otherwise managed through Drug Scheduling: (a) when separately specified in these Schedules; or (b) processed hemp…