Laudanum’s use, and abuse, has set the tone for the use and abuse of opiates from the 17th century until the present day. From pre-history through Sumerian, Greek and Roman cultures, opium has been used for pain management. But...

Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in ‘magic mushrooms’, is being trialled in the treatment of terminally ill patients to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety at Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital. The treatment has proven to be successful in several international...

Australia is in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave – with Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and NSW all reaching maximum temperatures of 8-12°C above average. Parts of South Australia, Victoria and NSW are expected to reach...

Many women in their mid-to-late forties are quick to accept headaches, irritability and memory loss as an unavoidable part of stressful lives. But new research suggests that they might be suffering from perimenopausal depression – an under-researched condition...

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, affecting 1.13 billion people worldwide, including six million adult Australians. Research has indicated that a new pharmacological approach to treatment could be imminent,1 following the results of a recent study in mice.2 Despite...

More than 1000 people have completed an online assessment in Australian pharmacies to determine their potential risk of developing glaucoma, and there's a call for more pharmacies to get on board. The Glaucoma Risk Calculator allows users to assess their...

What is best practice for community pharmacists for addressing GP prescribing errors? One outcome of a pharmacist’s responsibility may be the need to contact a prescriber to clarify a dose, resolve a duplication in treatment, ­flag a potential interaction or...

A range of devices and apps are tailored to monitor and promote restful sleep. Here’s the pick of the field. Just over a third (39%) of adult patients experience some form of inadequate sleep. In the short term, this can...

Why patients might ask about beetroot juice as a treatment for heart failure. Beetroot is a staple in pretty much every true Aussie hamburger. However, apart from being deliciously tasty, there is another reason why it might soon become more...

Hypercholesterolaemia not only has a damaging impact on health, but on the economy too. According to a new report from the Heart Foundation, an estimated seven million Australians are living with high cholesterol, which placed a strain on the Australian...