Editorial
Welcome to the September 2007 edition of the HealthInsite newsletter, and a special welcome to any new subscribers! Spring is in the air and so is the pollen, so we're going to kick off this edition by looking at some useful links to information on the common malady of hay fever.
The National Prescribing Service (NPS) is one of HealthInsite's trusted Information Partners. It is an independent, non-profit organisation that was set up by the Australian Government to provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). The NPS launched a national awareness campaign in August called 'Get to know your medicines', and so we'll touch on this campaign, as well as the most recent element of it - promoting the use of generic medicines.
News Items
Hay Fever
Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which means an allergy that affects the nose. Most people associate hay fever with spring when airborne pollens from grasses are at their peak. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. This is known as perennial allergic rhinitis and is usually caused by a reaction to allergens around the home such as dust mites, moulds, or animal hair or fur.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of hay fever include:
- Sneezing
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy ears, nose and throat
- Red, itchy or watery eyes
- Headaches.
HealthInsite has a topic page on hay fever with links to a number of useful resources.
Get to Know Your Medicines
The .Get to know your medicines. campaign is the latest national awareness activity of the National Prescribing Service. Medicines include prescription and non-prescription medicines, as well as complementary ones. About 140,000 people are hospitalised each year as a result of problems with their medicines, and between 50% and 75% of these admissions are potentially preventable.
The campaign website provides information to assist in managing medicines and health, including information on generic medicines, medicines for chronic conditions, fact sheets, and details of interactive information sessions for people over 50 years of age. It also has a link to the NPS Consumer Medicines Information search facility.
HealthInsite has a topic area on Medicines, with links for further information on medicines and drugs, including information on how to search for Consumer Medicines Information through HealthInsite.
More Australian children developing Type 1 diabetes
According to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the rate of new cases of Type 1 diabetes in children in Australia is increasing significantly.
Blood pressure treatment dramatically reduces stroke and mortality in those aged 80 years +
An international trial looking at the benefits of giving blood-pressure lowering medication to elderly patients has been ended early after researchers observed drastic reductions in the overall mortality rate of those receiving treatment. The preliminary results from the trial suggest that lowering blood pressure in the over-80s significantly reduces both stroke and mortality.
Professor Stephen Harrap, President of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, explains that, "It was not clear prior to the study whether the over-80s would benefit from blood pressure lowering medication in the same way as younger people. The results are great news for people in this age group because they suggest that where they have high blood pressure, such treatment can cut their chances of having a stroke or dying."
Definitive figures will not be available until all the data has been collected and the final results will then be published in the medical press.
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| National campaign reassures consumers that generic medicines are an equal choice
'Generic medicines are an equal choice' is the message the National Prescribing Service (NPS) is promoting in a campaign that commenced this month. The message is the second stage of NPS's 'Get to know your medicines' national awareness campaign which began in August. It aims to increase consumer and health professional confidence in using generic medicines.
Historically, consumers have been unsure about how they can tell whether a generic medicine is as effective as a brand-name medicine, and whether it is wise to switch.
NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes, said 'Generic medicines are an equal choice in that they contain the same active ingredient as the original brand of medicine. If a generic medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is said to be bioequivalent, then it has the same active ingredient as the brand medicine, and the same amount of medicine is available in the body to give the same effect.'
If a consumer is considering switching to a generic medicine, it is important that they talk with their doctor and pharmacist to ensure it is bioequivalent and the right choice for them.'
Dr Weekes advised that many people feel uncomfortable asking questions regarding their medicines, don't know what to ask, or what to tell their doctor. NPS has some guidelines in their Talking with your doctor and pharmacist fact sheet and consumers can also call NPS Medicines Line on 1300 888 763 to speak with a pharmacist.
To find out more, and to view the commercial, visit www.nps.org.au ('Get to know your medicines' website 'media' page).
Source: AHA News (17 September 2007)
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