http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionalsEverything new in Health ProfessionalsHypnotic medicines were prescribed for 95 per 100 insomnia problems encountered in general practice between 2006–08. Benzodiazepines and other related drugs can be avoided by using non-drug therapies.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/prescribing_practice_review/current/prescribing_practice_review_492010-03-15 00:00:00NPS's Diagnostics initiative builds on our expertise to improve utilisation of diagnostic tests and enable people to make the best decisions for better health outcomes.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/diagnostics2010-03-03 00:00:00Information on use of Nebivolol (Nebilet) for chronic heart failurehttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2010/march_2010/nebivolol2010-03-01 00:00:00Methylnaltrexone can be used to treat opioid-induced constipation in palliative care patients who haven’t responded to adequately titrated laxatives.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2010/march_2010/methylnaltrexone2010-03-01 00:00:00ENROL ONLINE NOW! Full listing of all NPS clinical audits, what they are, and eligibility for CPD points and incentives.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/clinical_audits_for_gps2010-02-26 00:00:00The latest clinical audit for GPs on use of hypnotic medicines in insomniahttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_audit_benzodiazepines2010-02-10 00:00:00Hypnotic medicines were prescribed for 95 per 100 insomnia problems encountered in general practice between 2006–08. Benzodiazepines and other related drugs can be avoided by using non-drug therapies.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/nps_news_672010-02-01 00:00:00Quinine: Poor efficacy in muscle cramps outweighed by risks of harmhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/factsheets/factsheets/quinine_poor_efficacy_in_muscle_cramp_outweighed_by_risk_of_harm_HP2009-12-18 00:00:00John is a 52-year-old accountant who presents to you complaining of lack of sleep and poor appetite. He also complains of trouble concentrating, decreased energy and has been feeling anxious for about 8 weeks now.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_60_report2009-12-17 00:00:00Explores the range of hormonal contraceptives currently available in Australia and factors to consider when prescribing, including missed pills, adverse effects, and non-oral dosage forms.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/hormonal_contraception_tailoring_for_the_individual2009-12-11 00:00:00Information about use of pramipexole (Sifrol) for early Parkinson’s diseasehttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/december_2009/pramipexole_parkinsons2009-12-01 00:00:00Prasugrel is an alternative to clopidogrel for acute coronary syndrome managed by percutaneous coronary intervention in combination with aspirin.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/december_2009/prasugrel2009-12-01 00:00:00Information about use of olanzapine depot injection (Zyprexa Relprevv) for schizophreniahttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/december_2009/olanzapine_depot2009-12-01 00:00:00NPS RADAR articles provide timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/december_20092009-12-01 00:00:00Listing of NPS case studies (print and online), with details on what they are, eligibility for incentives and CPD points, and a link to online case study FAQs.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies2009-12-01 00:00:00Urinary incontinence is common, but underreported. Health professionals can identify and manage incontinence in primary care, but what is the evidence for physical, behavioural and anticholinergic therapies?http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/nps_news_66_managing_urinary_incontinence_in_primary_care2009-12-01 00:00:00FE-RH aims to improve skills in deciding whether a new medicine is any better for a patient than their current treatment.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/ferh2009-11-23 00:00:00Extension of authority listing for ciprofloxacin ear drops (Ciloxan), 1 November 2009http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/november_2009/brief_item_ciprofloxacin2009-11-03 00:00:00Up to 1 in 5 people presenting to primary care will experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder at some point in their life.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/prescribing_practice_review/current/prescribing_practice_review_482009-11-01 00:00:00Get independent, accurate, evidence-based info on palliative care drugs. Written for doctors, pharmacists & other health professionals.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/view_radar_articles_by_topic/palliative_care2009-10-28 00:00:00Johara, 50, presents complaining of hot flushes with sweating 2–3 times a day over the last year. Her sleep has been disturbed, and her menstrual cycle irregular for 12 months. She wonders if complementary medicines or hormone replacement therapy might help but is concerned about the safety of their use.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_59_report2009-10-21 00:00:00Overview of the products and regimens for hormone replacement therapies for managing menopausal symptomshttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/tools/nps_news_64_insert_bioidentical_hormones22009-10-06 00:00:00Up to 1 in 5 people presenting to primary care will experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder at some point in their life.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/nps_news_652009-10-01 00:00:00Accurate, balanced, evidence-based information, resources and educational activities on analgesics and palliative care for pain. Information for health professionals.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/view_articles_by_topic/palliative_care2009-09-28 00:00:00The latest clinical e-audit for GPs on the review of PPI prescribing is now available. This clinical audit will assist GPs to review management of patients using PPIs, identify and implement a step-down strategy for suitable patients and review concurrent use of drugs that may induce or exacerbate dyspepsia/ulceration.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_e-audit_proton_pump_inhibitors2009-09-24 00:00:003 minute 20 second overview of National Prescribing Service's National Prescribing Curriculumhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/nested_content/contact_information3/npc_virtual_tour2009-09-21 00:00:00Brenda is a 25-year-old marketing executive. She presents today worried about her cough and hoarse voice as she has to give a presentation to her company board next week.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_58_report2009-09-01 00:00:00Information on the benefits and risks associated with the management of menopausal symptoms, advice on choosing an appropriate regimen and how to manage adverse effects.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/prescribing_practice_review/current/nps_prescribing_practice_review_472009-09-01 00:00:00Information on use of teriparatide (Forteo) for severe osteoporosishttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/may_2009/teriparatide2009-08-01 00:00:00The risks associated with hormone replacement therapy with specific reference. Alternative therapies examined.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/nps_news_642009-08-01 00:00:00NPS RADAR articles provide timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/august_20092009-08-01 00:00:00Information about use of Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for preventing venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement surgeryhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/august_2009/rivaroxaban2009-08-01 00:00:00The latest clinical audit for GPs on the use of antibiotics for specific respiratory tract infections is now available. This clinical audit is an opportunity to: become familiar with the clinical features suggestive of a bacterial respiratory tract infection where an antibiotic may be indicated, and review antibiotic choice, and the dose, frequency and duration prescribed for common respiratory tract infections.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_audit_antibiotics2009-06-30 00:00:00Information about the NPS drug use evaluation programs for improved patient outcomes in aged care facilities.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/drug_use_evaluation_due_programs/due_kit_for_care_homes2009-06-10 00:00:00Brenda is a 25-year-old marketing executive. She presents today worried about her cough and hoarse voice as she has to give a presentation to her company board next week.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_58_case2009-06-01 00:00:00The latest clinical audit for GPs on the review of PPI prescribing is now available. This clinical audit will assist GPs to review management of patients using PPIs, identify and implement a step-down strategy for suitable patients and review concurrent use of drugs that may induce or exacerbate dyspepsia/ulceration.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_audit_PPIs2009-05-11 00:00:00NPS RADAR articles provide timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/may_20092009-05-01 00:00:00Information on use of hydromorphone prolonged-release tablets (Jurnista) for chronic severe disabling painhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/may_2009/hydromorphone2009-05-01 00:00:00Information on use of lanthanum (Fosrenol) tablets for adults with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysishttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/may_2009/lanthanum2009-05-01 00:00:00The Prescribing Data in General Practice Demonstration Project is being run jointly with the Australian General Practice Networkhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/prescribing_data_in_general_practice2009-04-03 00:00:00Mr Lee is a 60-year-old who has just finished his last omeprazole tablet. He originally presented complaining of an intermittent burning sensation in the epigastric region of his abdomen.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_57_case2009-04-02 00:00:00NPS RADAR articles provide timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/april_20092009-04-01 00:00:00Use of desmopressin for primary nocturnal enuresis — sublingual formulation PBS listedhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/april_2009/brief_item_desmopressin2009-04-01 00:00:00Information on use of pramipexole (Sifrol) for severe primary restless legs syndromehttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/april_2009/pramipexole2009-04-01 00:00:00Information on use of ziprasidone (Zeldox): another atypical antipsychotic listed for acute mania in bipolar disorderhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/april_2009/brief_item_ziprasidone2009-04-01 00:00:00A tool to help health professionals assess a patient’s cardiovascular risk and treatment benefit.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/tools/cardiovascular_risk_calculator2009-03-12 00:00:00Information about use of desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) for major depressive disorderhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/march_2009/desvenlafaxine2009-03-10 00:00:00Information about use of valsartan (Diovan) and combinations with hydrochlorothiazide (Co-Diovan) or amlodipine (Exforge) in hypertensionhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/march_2009/valsartan2009-03-10 00:00:00Clopidogrel (Iscover, Plavix) PBS listing extended to include acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in combination with aspirinhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/march_2009/brief_item_clopidogrel2009-03-03 00:00:00Overview of NPS educational and quality improvement activities for health professionals in Australia, including case studies, clinical audits, pharmacy practice reviews and drug use evaluations.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities2009-02-20 00:00:00Information about use of risedronate (Actonel and Actonel Once-a-Week) for corticosteroid-induced osteoporosishttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2009/march_2009/brief_item_risedronate2009-02-10 00:00:00Information about use of Quetiapine extended-release tablets (Seroquel XR) for schizophreniahttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2008/december_2008/brief_item_quetiapine_xr2008-12-01 00:00:00Provides New York Heart Association grading of heart failure (NYHA) as additional content to rosiglitazone use for type 2 diabetes mellitus.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2007/november_2007/rosiglitazone/rosiglitazone_webextra_12008-12-01 00:00:00Role of primary care practitioners in early referral for treatment, monitoring disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and providing advice to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/helping_patients_achieve_remission_of_rheumatoid_arthritis2006-10-01 00:00:00http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_e-audit_type_2_diabetes/e-audit_virtual_tourhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_e-audit_proton_pump_inhibitors/e-audit_virtual_tourhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/clinical_audits_for_gps/pdfs/Anticoagulants_antiplatelets_2009_clinical_audit