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Do we do enough for our statin patients?
Even though statins are the “go-to” therapy for lowering “bad” cholesterol, other treatments can effectively reduce the risk of future heart problems according to a new evidence review. The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that a heart-healthy diet can confer the same level of heart health protection as statins. When we dispense a…
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United in Compassion – Medical Marijuana and Dan’s Story
Editor’s Note: As most i2P subscribers would know, we carry a range of information on diverse topics, one of which is medical marijuana. i2P has been encouraging pharmacists to become engaged with medical marijuana as Cannabis Directory Australia does because of the promise of major health benefits, also a product that could impact on the…
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Three Bioethicists Critical of Pharmacy Retailing
Three bioethicists have combined to criticise the concept of community pharmacy conducting retail front of shop activities, while simultaneously working in the best interests of the patient. Their comments are published in Croakey here. The bioethicists, Wendy Lipworth, Christopher Mayes and Ian Kerridge (all medical academics attached to the University of Sydney) discuss what is…
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Do your patients use their blood pressure medications correctly?
A recent analysis of the use of blood pressure medications within the United States Medicare system reveals that 26 per cent either skip doses, or stop taking their drugs entirely, thereby increasing their risk of heart attack and stroke. Other research within that system shows that up to 25 per cent of new prescriptions for…
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Vitamin C Prevents Side Effects from the MMR Vaccine
(OMNS, September 10, 2016) This is not an article about whether vaccinations are “good” or “bad.” This is an article about how high-dose vitamin C can protect children from vaccination side effects. Until we have real choice as to whether or not we vaccinate our children, we must seek ways to make immunisations safer. High-dose…
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It’s time for a new prescription
The community pharmacy is fighting to survive amid aggressive price disclosures, high expenses and pressures from wholesalers. Yet, the treatment of slashing costs and pushing discounts only focuses on the symptom of financial turmoil, rather than treating the root cause of the problem. The financial turmoil facing the pharmacy industry is a symptom of a…
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A Professional Conundrum
What a fascinating standoff has developed over the role of the pharmacist in advising on the use of complementary medicines. The Blackmore’s Institute is urging us to understand the complete medication profile of our patients, to ensure that we drive optimum health outcomes. Many of our patients fail to mention their complementary medicine use (often…
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A Pharmacy Clinical Service Model – Innovating and Adapting from Others
Recently, in my capacity as a management consultant, I was asked to review some policies for a security company I had an association with, in a health capacity. Security guards, because of their continual work during the night and early mornings, suffer from health problems related to their interrupted circadian rhythms. The first casualty is…
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Opportunities for Clinical Services
I was interested to read that Chemmart had introduced a genetic testing system designed to tailor drug treatments to an individual patient. At least that has been the promise of these types of tests as they have gradually made their way into the market-place. With the introduction of the myDNA test into a pharmacy environment…
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Vaccinations, Vitamin C, and “Choice”
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, February 13, 2016 Some folks are pretty appalled that my husband and I had our children vaccinated. People write and tell me that vaccinations are dangerous. They warn me about the side effects of this vaccine and that one. They share alternative, natural ways to improve immunity. What we’ve got here…