Welcome to Australian Prescriber

Welcome to the new look Australian Prescriber. The first issue of the new design is filled with interesting information. We begin with Rob Moulds and Brendan Shaw giving their opinions on the decision to defer the inclusion of some new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme also provides doctors with a range of drugs for use in an emergency. A table of suggested doses appears in this issue, but are some of the drugs still appropriate for practice in the 21st century? John Holmes assesses the emergency drugs and proposes some changes to the contents of the doctor’s bag.

Opioids are not only used in emergencies, but are also prescribed for chronic pain. As there has been an increased use of opioids for non-cancer pain, Michael McDonough advises on how to reduce the dangers of this treatment.

Dangerous drugs need not be prescription medicines. Medicines Safety Update warns us about the hazards of some of the products available from the internet. Patients may not mention that they are using a product such as a complementary medicine. Margaret Duguid reminds us to ask patients about all the medicines they are taking. This is an important part of the process of medication reconciliation which aims to reduce medication errors.

Benjamin Davies is also concerned about drugs and other substances available online. Some substances can be difficult to detect in the laboratory. Laboratory testing has a role in identifying the cause of fever in travellers. However, Anthony Gherardin and Jennifer Sisson emphasise the continuing importance of a thorough history and examination.