Oceania

Australia tightens restrictions over codeine-containing medicines

Products containing codeine will no longer be available over the counter in Australia following a review by its medicine’s regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration.…

New Zealand pharmacists support OTC trimethoprim prescribing

Pharmacists in New Zealand who are allowed to give women with uncomplicated cystitis a three-day supply of trimethoprim say patients appreciate the improved access to treatment.…

New Zealand first to have OTC topical adapalene available in pharmacies

In August 2016, pharmacists in New Zealeand were given permission to supply adapalene without a prescription through reclassification. This is in line with both Singapore (approval March 2016) and the United States (approval July 2016). For New Zealand and the United States, a major consi…

Medication burden has major role in patient experiences

Analysis of 1,144 patients finds intolerable medication burden may result in non-adherence and poor outcomes.…

Study shows how stress increases breast cancer metastasis

Researchers suggest aggressive breast cancer could be slowed by targeting a specific signalling loop.…

UK Nurofen advertisements under scrutiny after claims they are ‘misleading’

Nurofen Express advertisements are being investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK in response to complaints that they are misleading.…

UK pays less than European neighbours for cancer drugs

The price of originator cancer drugs varies widely between high-income countries and the UK pays one of the lowest prices in Europe.…

Trade deal gives minimum of five years of data protection for biologic drugs

The countries negotiating the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement reached a conclusion on 5 October 2015, spelling out the data protection terms for biologic medicines.…

English language tests for European pharmacists wanting to work in Great Britain

European-qualified pharmacists will have to complete the same English language tests as non-European pharmacists to work in Great Britain, say new proposals from the General Pharmaceutical Council. …

Barriers to reclassifying drugs identified by researchers

Researchers have investigated the factors that influence the likelihood of reclassification of medicines from prescription-only to being available over-the-counter.…