1. MEDICINEWISE ARTICLE UPDATE
FEBRUARY 2018
Managing hepatitis C in general practice
Find out why community-based management is essential to reduce hepatitis C in Australia.
Extemporaneously compounded medicines
Compounded medicines are not generally assessed for safety and efficacy. Read more about their regulation and short-term expiry dates.
Community use of naxolone for opioid overdose
Will training lay people in the use of naloxone reduce accidental opioid overdose deaths?
Changing Australian medicine names
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is changing the names of approximately 200 medicines. Learn more about these changes.
Medication management on sick days
Learn how to minimise the risk of adverse drug events during intercurrent illness.
2. Applications open for NMS Asia-Pacific QUM Scholarship 2018
14 February 2018
NPS MedicineWise is inviting academics, health workers and policy makers from the Asia-Pacific region to apply for a ‘quality use of medicines’ (QUM) scholarship to attend the National Medicines Symposium (NMS) 2018.
The 10th biennial NMS, themed ‘Population to personal health care: the future is now’ will accept scholarship applications from health professionals in a research, teaching, practice or policy role from low and middle income countries in the Asian and Western Pacific regions.
The scholarship winner will receive $5,000 (AUD) to cover flights and accommodation, plus complementary registration to NMS held in Canberra, Australia from 30 May until 01 June 2018. The winner will also be invited to give an oral presentation of their work to conference delegates.
NPS MedicineWise CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says the scholarship provides opportunities to identify similarities and differences in quality use of medicines issues impacting the Asia-Pacific and Australia.
“By offering this scholarship we hope to create regional partnerships that develop ‘quality use of medicines’ alumni well into the future,” says Dr Weekes.
“This prestigious scholarship is a unique opportunity for a professional or academic with an interest in quality use of medicines, to share their experience and insights with their peers. It facilitates personal development, equipping the recipient with the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills.”
For more information on general eligibility requirements, eligible countries and application criteria, visit http://www.nps.org.au/nms2018.
Applications close 5 March 2018 and the scholarship winner will be announced by 16 March 2018
More information
NMS 2018 is NPS MedicineWise’s tenth symposium. It will take place from 30 May until 01 June 2018 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.
Abstract submissions and expressions of interest for delegates and event sponsors are now open.
For more information and to register for more information or to submit an abstract, visit www.nps.org.au/nms2018.
3. National Medicinewise Awards: Call for entries
9 February 2018
Entries and nominations are now open for the 2018 National Medicinewise Awards, recognising Australia’s innovative contributions to quality use of medicines, medical tests and other health technologies.
The biennial National Medicinewise Awards will be presented by NPS MedicineWise as part of the gala dinner at the National Medicines Symposium (NMS) being held in Canberra from 30 May – 1 June 2018.
NPS MedicineWise Executive Manager and Chair of the NMS 2018 Program Committee, Ms Kerren Hosking, says that individuals, groups and organisations may submit an entry to recognise their own achievements or the achievements of others.
“There’s brilliant work right across Australia to address existing and emerging challenges in improving quality use of medicines, medical tests and other health technologies. The biennial National Medicinewise Awards shine a light on and recognise the significant contributions people are making towards improving health decision making,” says Ms Hosking.
“The quality of previous years’ winning entries has always been outstanding. We look forward to welcoming entries from across the health sector, including clinicians, the private sector, academia, government, community and not-for-profit organisations, and health service providers.”
This year sees the inclusion of a new category for programs and initiatives to support Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. The 2018 National Medicinewise Award categories are:
- Consumer initiatives: community or population level
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives [new category]
- Health professional programs: < $100,000 budget
- Health professional programs: > $100,000 budget
- Excellence in consumer information
- Excellence in e-health resources
- Excellence in media reporting
Winners will receive widespread recognition, promotion and acknowledgment of their efforts in improving quality use of medicines, medical tests and other health technologies as well as a complimentary registration to NMS 2020.
Entries and nominations for the National Medicinewise Awards will close 23 March 2018.
About NMS 2018
The 10th biennial National Medicines Symposium (NMS) will take place in Canberra from 30 May – 1 June 2018. The gala dinner and National Medicinewise Awards will be held Thursday 31 May 2018.
The theme is ‘Population to personal health care: the future is now’. To find out more visit www.nps.org.au/nms2018.
The Choosing Wisely Australia 2018 National Meeting will also be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra on Wednesday 30 May, as a satellite meeting to NMS 2018. Find out more.