It is estimated that, by the age of 40, more than 97% of Australians carry the inactive virus (varicella zoster virus) that causes shingles from a previous chickenpox infection.^1-3

Research commissioned by GSK Australia* reveals over a quarter (26 per cent) of Australians aged 50-79 do not recall previously having chickenpox and are at risk of developing shingles without being aware of this risk.4 It also showed that almost a quarter (24 pesr cent) of Australians don’t believe or understand that they can develop shingles if they’ve had chickenpox.⁴

The risk of developing shingles increases with age.⁵ As the immune system naturally weakens, and this can allow the usually inactive virus that causes shingles to reactivate.⁶ If Australians have a weakened immune system due to illness, treatments or medications, you may also be at increased risk.^1,2,5

Shingles Awareness Week aims to increase understanding of the impact of shingles and address common misconceptions surrounding shingles. Journalist Shelly Horton and AFL-legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico join news presenter Deborah Knight as Shingles Awareness Week ambassadors, having experienced first-hand the pain and impact of shingles.

“I experienced shingles during a very stressful time of my life. A huge spread of tiny blisters appeared on my right inner thigh, which left me in excruciating pain, and I felt completely debilitated,” shared Shelly Horton, who is an advocate for talking about taboo health topics.

“Since my experience, many people close to me have been affected by this condition. My mum had shingles, which caused a rash across her torso. It was so painful she couldn’t even drive or sit on the couch to watch TV. She almost went to hospital because she thought it was kidney stones.

“I now know that shingles is common in people 50 and over. One of mum’s friends got shingles in her eye, which could have affected her sight. My father-in-law also had shingles at my wedding in Mexico, with a rash across his back,” recalled Ms Horton. “He was in a lot of pain and afraid of the rash being aggravated, especially during our dance. While everyone else continued celebrating, he became bed bound in the hotel room.”

Recognised as one of Hawthorn Football Club’s most prominent players, Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, has also experienced the painful and debilitating impact of shingles, and has cared for his partner during her shingles diagnosis.

“Compared to the pain of many of my sporting injuries, shingles was relentless. It put me out of action for nine days,” said Dipper. “I had a large, itchy, red rash suddenly appear on the left side of my body. It was so uncomfortable, I slept on a mattress in the lounge room with the air conditioning running to try and find some relief. It was horrible to experience personally, and I know some of my loved ones, like my partner and my mum, have also experienced the pain and discomfort of shingles.”

Monika Boogs, Chief Executive Officer, Painaustralia, says that the pain of shingles is often described by people as some the worst they have ever experienced.

“Shingles is often more than just a rash. The pain from shingles can disrupt sleep, mood, work and daily activities and impact quality of life. For some people, it can cause long-term issues with eyesight or chronic nerve pain leading to long-term discomfort,” said Ms Boogs.

Leading expert, Professor Tony Cunningham, Director of the Centre for Virus Research (WIMR) and Vaccine Theme Leader at Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (SydneyID), The University of Sydney, suggests that Australians aged 50 and over should not underestimate their shingles risk even if they don’t recall having had chickenpox.

  “If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in your body. Almost all Australians have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having it or were asymptomatic, and so are at risk of shingles as they carry the inactive virus. As you get older, there is a decline in your immune system that can leave you susceptible to the reactivation of this virus, which causes shingles,” said Professor Cunningham.

“Shingles Awareness Week is an important reminder to understand the symptoms and your risk, especially if you are aged 50 and over. Speak to your doctor to understand your risk of shingles and encourage loved ones who are older to do the same.”

To help reduce the impact on people’s lives and the disruption to everyday activities that shingles can cause, Australians aged 50 years and over should learn more about the signs, symptoms and risk factors for shingles. For more information about shingles, speak to a healthcare professional and visit knowshingles.com.au

On behalf of GSK Australia, Ipsos Healthcare conducted an online survey among 600 Australian-based consumer participants (aged 50-79 years old from the general population) who chose to take part in the survey between 17 July and 1 August 2024. Participants were all screened to match national proportions based on region, gender and working situation. Majority of respondents had one or more comorbidities, while one in three did not. The sample is not nationally representative, only indicative.

References

The post Aussie stars expose the painful reality of shingles this Shingles Awareness Week appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Available now for public access through both AdPha and RACGP, the Resource Kit
comprises three resources to support clear, accurate and timely communication as
patients transition through care providers:

1. Practice Update: Medication Management at Transitions of Care clearly defines
the role of the hospital pharmacist, general practice pharmacist (GPP), and the
general practitioner (GP) in delivering safe and quality medication management
services to their patients transitioning between acute and primary care.

2. Resource for healthcare professionals: Safe Medication Management at
Transitions of Care supports healthcare professionals in ensuring safe and
effective medication management during patient transitions between care
settings.

3. Resources for consumers: Medication safety when moving between the
community and hospital helps consumers manage their medicines safely when
moving between home and hospital.

The Transitions of Care resources are now available at the following:
– Medication Management at Transitions of Care Resource Kit (AdPha)
– Medication Management at Transitions of Care Resource Kit (RACGP)

The post Doctors and pharmacists unite to improve care transitions appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Announced yesterday, this is the largest investment in Medicare since its inception 40
years ago. By expanding the bulk billing incentive to all Australians, the reform will
significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for GP visits.

AdPha President Tom Simpson says the investment will help limit unnecessary emergency
department visits but urges further action to improve medicine affordability.

‘Seeing a GP is a crucial first step in any patient’s healthcare journey.

‘When that step is skipped, patients often end up in emergency departments
unnecessarily, straining hospital resources and limiting access for those who need
urgent care.

‘Each year, 400,000 Australians visit emergency departments for conditions that could
often be prevented through regular GP visits and proper medication management.

‘Expanding bulk billing is a great step forward, but if we don’t also address the cost of
medicines, more Australians will continue to end up in hospitals unnecessarily.

‘Currently, 250,000 Australians are admitted to hospitals each year due to
medication-related issues, some of which can be linked to the cost of medicines.

‘We applaud the government for making it easier for Australians to visit their GP
without relying on their credit card. But if we truly want to reduce hospital admissions,people shouldn’t also have to worry about their bank balance when purchasing
essential medicines.’ says Mr Simpson

The post AdPha welcomes historic Medicare investment appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

“Patients are suffering unnecessarily, enduring heightened pain and distress, because the medications that typically control their symptoms are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive,” says Dr Peter Allcroft, Chair, Palliative Care Australia.

Despite repeated calls for action from the palliative care sector, Palliative Care Australia (PCA) says there has been little progress toward ensuring a stable supply of these life-changing drugs.

“A collective of 7 organisations wrote to parliamentarians in early December [2024] trying to escalate this issue after months and months of slow or no progress, people, including children are dying without adequate pain relief,” says Dr Allcroft.

‘Supply becoming increasingly uncertain’

Most of the affected medicines are vital opioid analgesics that have been used for decades to manage severe pain and other symptoms in palliative care patients.

With their supply becoming increasingly uncertain, clinicians are forced to prescribe less effective alternatives, resulting in less reliable pain relief and risking unwanted side effects.

Adding to the distress is cost, with many of the alternative medications not subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

One of the most startling examples is hydromorphone SR, which costs the public $182 for 32mg, which a non-PBS-listed alternative is $4209 for 100 tablets.

PCA campaign to resolve the ongoing issue

As part of the ‘better access to palliative care’ campaign leading up to the federal election, PCA has launched an 11 point plan to resolve this ongoing issue.

“Our recommendations centre on establishing a national stockpile of critical medicines, fostering domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthening the PBS, and empowering the TGA,” says Dr Allcroft.

“Four hundred people die every day of a terminal illness — limited or no access to these critical medications has a ripple effect through families and communities.”

With nearly 20,000 signatures already on the campaign’s petition, advocates hope the issue will be addressed ahead of the federal election, ensuring better quality of life for those in palliative care.

The post Shortage of pain medications ongoing appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted approval for semaglutide 2.4mg (Wegovy) as an adjunct therapy to reduce major adverse CVD events, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks, and non-fatal strokes.

The approval follows findings from the SELECT trial, a global study involving more than 17,000 participants across 41 countries, including Australia.

Results published in late 2023 showed that Wegovy reduced cardiovascular events by 20% in people with pre-existing heart disease who were overweight or obese but did not have diabetes.

Professor Stephen Nicholls, lead of the Australian arm of the SELECT trial and Director of the Victorian Heart Institute at Monash University, emphasises the significance of the approval.

“This approval highlights the critical role of overweight and obesity as major drivers of heart disease — on par with cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking,” he says.

“It reinforces that these risks can be actively reduced with targeted therapies.

“The SELECT trial demonstrated that the cardiovascular benefits of semaglutide extend beyond weight loss.

“This drug also positively impacts inflammation, blood lipids and blood pressure, which are all crucial in preventing heart attacks and strokes.

“What this tells us is that if you have heart disease and are overweight or obese, not only are you at a higher risk of another cardiovascular event, but that risk can now be significantly reduced.

“This is a groundbreaking result for patients.”

The post ‘Groundbreaking’: TGA approves weight loss drug for CVD appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Longitudinal research from Insightfully, commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, found that more than 1 in 5 people have not filled a prescription in the past 3 years due to cost. This figure rises to 1 in 3 in regional Australia. Women, younger people, and those with dependents are most affected.

Pharmacy Guild National Councillor Mario Barone stresses the urgency of addressing this issue.

“We know what happens when people can’t afford their medicine – they get sicker,” he says. “Often there are complications that mean time off work, time in hospital and time recovering.”

Calls for government action 

Mr Barone urges the government to reduce the PBS general co-payment to ease financial pressure on patients.

“This non-inflationary measure would reduce out-of-pocket prescription costs for patients,” he says.

“Community pharmacists see patients struggling to afford their medicine every day.

“The government can, and should, take action to address these challenges and make sure medicine stops being a luxury item.”

Sydney pharmacist Claudia, echoes these concerns, explaining she sees multiple patients each week who are struggling to afford their medication.

“In the past 6 months I’d say 3-4 patients a week are struggling to afford their medication,” she says.

“We had a patient and realised he was only taking 50% of the medications he was meant to be taking just because he couldn’t afford to get all his medications.

“People are having to choose what they can and can’t get.”

Cost of living a top priority

With cost of living ranked as a top priority for voters, followed by healthcare, the Guild is calling on the government to act swiftly to improve medicine affordability.

“Australians are being forced to make tough choices between filling prescriptions and paying the rent, buying groceries and putting petrol in the car.

In the face of this evidence the government must act and make medicine more affordable by reducing the co-payment for general patients,” says Mr Barone.

For more information, visit: affordablemedicines.com.au.

The post Rising costs preventing Aussies from filling prescriptions appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Led by Monash University and published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the recommendations address the unique challenges faced by some 39,000 people living with this chronic neurological condition.

Senior author Associate Professor Mastura Monif, a neurologist and researcher from the Monash University School of Translational Medicine and head of Alfred Health’s Neuroimmunology Service, said although Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) adopted an international MS guideline in 2009 (which was last updated in 2015), specific and recent consensus recommendations were needed to guide best practice on locally available therapies and local practices.

“New disease-modifying therapies are more effective and better tolerated,” says Associate Professor Monif.

“But it’s a much more complex treatment landscape than it was 20 years ago, and there is new evidence being generated all the time on many aspects of the disease.

“It is really important that the approach used is focused on both the effectiveness and safety for the individual so they can get the best possible outcome.”

Developed by more than 30 experts from the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists working group — including MS specialists, nurses, allied health professionals, and patient advocacy groups — the statement covers pre-assessment, therapy selection, monitoring, symptom management, and special considerations such as pregnancy and infections.

MS Australia CEO Rohan Greenland welcomes the guidelines as an “invaluable resource, especially for generalist clinicians navigating this rapidly evolving field”.

“They provide a clear and ready reference to best-practice evidence and expert consensus – an important milestone in MS care in Australia,” he says.

First author Dr Jessica Shipley, an MS and Neuroimmunology fellow at Alfred Health, says the recommendations are for everyone involved in managing MS, regardless of healthcare setting or location.

“These recommendations will be a valuable resource for everyone from GPs,  to neurologists, doctors in training, medical students, allied health professionals, nursing staff, and consumers or patients,” says Dr Shipley.

The recommendations can be found here:

• Part 1: Consensus recommendations on MS management in Australia and New Zealand.
• Part 2: Consensus recommendations ons MS management in Australia and New Zealand.

The post Landmark MS consensus statement released for Australian and New Zealand appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

For the first time, eligible patients will be able to obtain medicines for UTIs and hormonal contraceptives at Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) pricing, improving affordability and accessibility.

‘Breaking down healthcare barriers’

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, who has co-chaired the Access, Care and Outcome Subcommittee under the federal government’s Women’s Health Advisory Council since 2023, describes the announcement as a significant step forward in breaking down healthcare barriers, particularly in rural and regional areas.

“Women deserve to receive timely, high-quality care, and pharmacists are trained and ready to support them in managing their health,” says Associate Professor Sim.

‘Announcement takes pharmacy programs further’

Associate Professor Sim emphasises the critical role pharmacists already play in enabling women to access treatment for UTIs and repeat prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives.

“This announcement will take these programs one step further, allowing pharmacists to initiate hormonal contraceptives and supply medications under the PBS for the first time,” she says.

With bipartisan support, cements pharmacists’ role as trust, accessible healthcare providers, reinforcing their ability to deliver essential women’s health services.

“Community pharmacists are trusted, accessible healthcare professionals.

“These policy changes are a game changer for women around the country,” says Associate Professor Sim.

PSA committed to pharmacy education and training

PSA is committed to equipping pharmacists with high-quality education and training to ensure safe and effective care under the new policies.

“PSA is proud to support these initiatives with high-quality education and training for pharmacists, building the capacity and expertise of our profession as we scale up our health care services for women across Australia.

“PSA looks forward to working closely with governments and healthcare stakeholders to ensure the success of these trials and to continue strengthening pharmacists’ role in women’s healthcare across Australia,” says Associate Professor Sim.

The post PSA welcomes $573M women’s health commitment appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) welcomes the Albanese Labor Government’s $573.3 million funding package to provide women with more choice, lower costs and better health care.

Announced on 9 February, the new package of measures incorporates key recommendations from AdPha, shaped by the expertise and insights of its members.

AdPha President Tom Simpson praised the government for listening to patients and health care stakeholders, including the valuable contributions of AdPha Women’s and Newborn Health Specialty Practice members, to take action on expanding care and access in women’s health.

“AdPha members welcome these long-awaited measures, which will help remove barriers that have prevented women from accessing affordable health care for too long,” Mr Simpson said.

“We have strongly advocated for a comprehensive approach to managing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms – focusing on awareness, education, and access to affordable, evidence-based treatments.

“We are pleased to see many of our recommendations, put forward during the Senate Inquiry and through our submission, reflected in this new package of measures,” he said.

“A/Prof McGuire from our Women’s and Newborn Health Committee specifically mentioned in her evidence that it had been over 20 years since any new medicines for menopause had been listed on the PBS, and these new listings will ensure that menopause hormonal therapies remain both affordable and accessible,” Mr Simpson said.

“Currently, over 85% of women experiencing bothersome symptoms of menopause or perimenopause are not receiving evidence-based care, despite the availability of both hormonal and non-hormonal therapies. With treatment options declining in recent years, we hope these reforms will reverse that trend.

“It is also great to see new contraceptives listed on the PBS for the first time in over 30 years, reflecting and subsidising contemporary treatment options that are used by many Australian women,” he said.

“We thank the government for prioritising women’s health and recognising the invaluable role of pharmacists in advocating for and supporting women’s health care needs.

“As this expands to including the provision of contraceptives and anti-microbials for uncomplicated UTIs at PBS co-payment prices for concession card holders by pharmacists – in direct support of our first recommendation of our Federal Budget submission – we look forward to enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration between doctors and pharmacists as we achieve patient-centred care,” Mr Simpson said.

“As medicines experts across all stages of reproductive health – from pregnancy, labour, and lactation to menopause and beyond – pharmacists are well-positioned to support women through these changes. With these new measures, we can play an even greater role in ensuring women receive safe, appropriate, and efficient care.”

The post AdPha applauds long overdue investment in women’s health appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

‘A significant step forward for healthcare in the NT’

“The expansion of the Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol (SSTP) is a significant step forward for healthcare in the Northern Territory,” says Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Northern Territory Branch President Peter Hatswell.

“It recognises the vital role pharmacists play in our communities and their ability to practice at the peak of their scope in vaccination services.”

Expansion of vaccination services 

The updated SSTP aligns with the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH), allowing pharmacists to administer any vaccine listed in the protocol to eligible individuals.

The alignment with the AIH not only broadens the range of vaccines pharmacists can provide but also brings the NT in line with other jurisdictions across Australia.

A key highlight of this expansion is the introduction of new vaccination services.

“From February 2025, expectant mothers can receive the free RSV vaccine Abrysvo® at their local pharmacy under the National Immunisation Program,” says Mr Hatswell.

“We’re also excited about the potential for pharmacies to offer the NT-funded Meningococcal B vaccine for teenagers, which would further enhance our ability to protect the health of young Territorians.

“Since 2015, NT pharmacists have demonstrated their commitment to safe and effective vaccination services.

“The new Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol acknowledges their professional expertise and enables pharmacists to provide critical immunisation services that meet the diverse healthcare needs of Territorians.”

Pharmacists key to improving vaccination rates across the NT

With their convenient locations and extended operating hours, community pharmacies are well-positioned to improve vaccination rates and expand access to immunisation services across the NT.

The Guild says this decision will ‘undoubtedly contribute to better health outcomes for our population’.

“The Pharmacy Guild looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the NT Government to enhance primary healthcare services and ensure they remain as accessible as possible for all Territorians,” says Mr Hatswell.

The post Expanded vax services provide NT more healthcare choice appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.