Show Notes
A review of the evidence for community pharmacist prescribing has reopened the debate about who should be able to prescribe, and a legislative change means some registered nurses with special training will soon be authorised to prescribe a number of medicines on the PBS too. Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia has overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia, and rising obesity rates are a contributor. A new study assessed three parameters in the diets of Swedish participants who were at risk of dementia. Can the quality of your diet really make a difference? A follow up of patients admitted to intensive care units around Australia with sepsis and septic shock, looked at the longer term effects of this life threatening condition. References Community pharmacist prescribing outcomes in Australia and beyond Pharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who pays RACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to care New law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first time Sexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United States US study on cancer screening access and what it means for AustraliaUSyd CEC response Australian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at risk Australia's health 2026 (AIHW) Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology Long-term survival in patients discharged alive from hospital following an intensive care unit admission with sepsis or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand: an observational cohort study
More from Health Report
The first national report on e-scooters and e-devices from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare quantifies the impact of these devices on our community. So what should be done to prevent injuries and deaths? A new study shows people who survive cancer have a build up of plaque in their arteries, and a higher risk of heart disease. But are they being monitored for these risks? In hospital regular medications are sometimes paused while the patient recovers from other illnesses and procedures, but that can mean people are missing these vital medications for much longer than they should. References
New guidelines for clinicians will clarify when to use menopausal hormone therapy over other medicines, and what options are available for those with a history of breast cancer. The author of a study investigating what goes on in the gut microbiome of people who have and are being treated for cancer, says there are some surprising results. Research shows pre-teens who began using a smart phone at age 12 showed a greater risk of eating disorder symptoms at age 14. If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673 National Eating Disorder Collaboration Lifeline on 131 114 References RANZCOG Management of vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms of menopause clinical guideline Cell: Microbiome signatures linked to cancer and treatment adverse events in a real-world cohort JAMA Network Open: Smartphone Ownership and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Early Adolescence Health Report: What age is best for a child's first smartphone? Journal of the Royal Society Interface: Quantifying the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 vaccination: evidence from Victoria, Australia AIHW: Health Expenditure Australia 2024-2025 Australian College of Emergency Medicine: State of Emergency JAMA Neurology: Global Incidence of All-Cause Dementia, A Meta-Analysis
Broadening the definition of clinical obesity has lowered its prevalence in children but increased it in mid-life. Researchers hope this will assist clinicians with individualised care and advice for people in larger bodies. If you have polyps removed during a colonoscopy, you may be asked to come back in 3-5 years time for another procedure. But does that timing decrease your risk of cancer? A new study shows fear related harms like post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder are the most frequent symptoms experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence involving guns and other weapons. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately, call emergency services on Triple Zero. Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491 The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800 Lifeline: 131 114 References The Lancet commission definition of clinical obesity: a multi-cohort cross-sectional analysis from early childhood to older age in seven high-income countries Colonoscopy Intervals and Colorectal Cancer Incidence after Adenoma Removal Gun and Other Weapon–Involved Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric Symptoms AIHW: Polypharmacy in Australia in 2025 BMJ: Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes: nationwide, populationbased case-control study ABC News: Russia rails against online 'plague' claims, but few in Irkutsk trust authorities
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that mostly affects people over 65 years of age but can happen earlier. Learn what to look out for and when you should get it checked out. A health law expert talks through the regulations that may apply to the LillyDirect platform, which now facilitates dispensing of the pharmaceutical company's own GLP1 medicine in Australia. The Fijian government recently declared a national emergency in response to the rising number of HIV cases in the country. How will that help residents who already have HIV to stay healthy, and prevent further transmission? References Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy model ABC News: Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door Lilly Australia told ABC News that LillyDirect operates within existing regulatory frameworks and that the service would improve affordability and convenience for Australians. A spokesperson said: "Australian doctors prescribe the medicine, Australian pharmacists review and dispense prescriptions, and Australian healthcare, pharmacy, privacy and regulatory requirements apply at every stage."
After failing to negotiate a way for their weight loss medicine to be listed on the PBS, Eli Lilly has launched an online platform to "facilitate dispensing and delivery of medicines to consumers". It provides a pathway via third party providers that people can use to get prescriptions filled and even home delivery. While diagnoses for adult ADHD are on the rise, we look at medications and other treatments for ADHD in children. Emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalisations occur more often for those being cared for in privately run aged care homes. A study investigating the potential link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and colorectal cancer finds using these medications does not affect your chance of getting this type of cancer, nor does it provide protection against the disease. References Lilly Direct consumer press release A Randomised Open-Label Comparison of Dexamphetamine and Methylphenidate in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptom Response, Adherence and Weight Impact Over 12 Months Association of long-term care facility ownership and location on residents’ mortality and hospitalisations: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Australia Contemporary hormonal contraception and colorectal cancer in premenopausal women: nationwide cohort study Fijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soar WHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergency Keeping HIV under control is increasingly challenging Andrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk