http://www.nps.org.au/homeEverything new at NPSJessica, a 26-year-old student, presents to you complaining of a 4 day history of coloured nasal discharge, headache, lethargy and sneezing.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_58_case2Provide business and systems support to our Programs and Services unit – Great location near Central station – Great salary sacrifice and work–life balance programshttp://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/business_managerIndex digital content & maintain controlled vocabularies for our website – Great location right near Central station – 6 month contracthttp://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/website_indexer_metadata_analystDevelop and design a range of materials from concept through to final production. Provide design advice to internal stakeholders on our brand. Attractive salary sacrifice and flexible work practiceshttp://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/graphic_designerCritically appraise and synthesise evidence on medicines, diagnostic tests and therapeutic topics – Research and write evidence-based information materials for health professionals – Great location right near Central stationhttp://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/medical_writerInformation about Apixaban (Eliquis), listed on the PBS from 1 January 2012 for preventing venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement surgery.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2012/january_2012/brief_item_apixabanNPS 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/2012/january_2012Design and deliver all aspects of diagnostic program activity. We can offer you a number of benefits including salary sacrifice, a professional development allowance, additional leave arrangements and flexible working conditions.http://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/program_leader_diagnosticsThis case study focused on management of schizophrenia, stable for the last 6 months on risperidone 5 mg/day, in 28-year-old Emily.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/case_studies/pdfs/case_70_reportThis issue of Nurse Update talks about NPS's support of the TGA cancelling 4 pain relief medicines, issues relating to taking medicines during pregnancy, resources to help patients decide between different medicine brands and the new features to NPS's awarding winning Medicines List iPhone apphttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nurse_update/updates/jan_2012http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_e-audit_type_2_diabetes/e-audit_virtual_tourNPS is reminding health professionals to be alert to the risks associated with prescribing oral methotrexate. Methotrexate has been used for many years in the treatment of some cancers. Increasingly low dose methotrexate is being used in the treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory disordershttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Health_professionals_alert_to_the_risks_associated_with_oral_methotrexateNPS is encouraging prescribers to review patients currently taking simvastatin 80 mg daily, following changes to the prescribing information for the medicine issued by the TGA.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/review_patients_taking_simvastatin_80_mg_dailyActively engage the nursing workforce in quality use of medicines and medical tests. Be rewarded with great staff benefits, including extra leave and salary sacrificing arrangements.http://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/nurse_engagementAn NPS survey has identified a number of improvements for drug interaction alerts in prescribing and dispensing software to better meet the information needs of GPs and pharmacists.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Doctors_and_pharmacists_want_improvements_in_drug_interaction_alertsNo more forgetting to take your medicine! NPS has introduced a range of new features to its award-winning Medicines List iPhone app that allow people to schedule in reminders to prompt them to take their medicinehttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Award_winning_NPS_iPhone_app_now_includes_a_medicines_reminder_functionNPS has published independent reviews of new medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia in the latest edition of Medicine Update. These reviews outline what the medicines are used for, who they are suitable for, how they work, potential side effects to consider and how they compare with existing treatmentshttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/NPS_reviews_new_medicines_for_people_with_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_COPD,_schizophrenia_and_bipolar_I_disorderThe December issue of NPS RADAR — which independently reviews new medicines recommended for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) — includes in-depth reviews of new medicines to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I, severe chronic pain, COPD and acute coronary syndrome.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/NPS_RADAR_reviews_new_medicines_for_schizophrenia,_bipolar_I_disorder,_severe_chronic_pain_and_COPDA ‘prescribing cascade’ occurs when a new medicine is prescribed to ‘treat’ side effects to another medicine in the mistaken belief that a new medical condition has developed, according to an article in the December edition of Australian Prescriber.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Medicines_upon_medicines_The_Prescribing_CascadeThe December edition of Australian Prescriber, out nowhttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Latest_edition_of_Australian_Prescriber_out_now_2011Medicines to treat cholesterol may be being prescribed inappropriately, according to Associate Professor Jane Smith of Bond University. Heart disease is a common problem, causing 16% of the total disease burden in Australia – second only to cancer. However treatment with statins should be focused on those at high riskhttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Are_cholesterol_medicines_overusedTicagrelor (Brilinta) and aspirin reduces the incidence of vascular deaths and myocardial infarctions more than clopidogrel and aspirin, but this must be weighed against an increased risk of adverse events.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2011/december_2011/ticagrelorInformation on indacaterol as a once-daily, maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow limitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2011/december_2011/indacaterolConsiders some of the issues around generic medicines and brand substitution, and how health professionals can help consumers use generic medicines safely and appropriately.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/generic_medicines_informing_patientsNPS 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/2011/december_2011Read our information on indacaterol (Onbrez), a new maintenance inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): side effects & benefits, who can use it & other treatment options.http://www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicine_update/issues/indacaterolInformation about asenapine sublingual wafers (Saphris) for schizophrenia and acute and maintenance treatment of manic and mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder. Asenapine has a similar spectrum of benefits and harms to that of other antipsychotics.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2011/december_2011/asenapineInformation about oxycodone-with-naloxone controlled-release (CR) tablets (Targin) for chronic severe pain. The tablets provide equivalent analgesia to that of oxycodone CR tablets, with reduced opioid-induced constipation.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2011/december_2011/oxycodone_with_naloxoneRead unbiased info about asenapine (Saphris) for bipolar I disorder: side effects & benefits, who can use it & other treatment options.http://www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicine_update/issues/asenapine_for_bipolar_disorderRead unbiased info about asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia: side effects & benefits, who can use it & other treatment options.http://www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicine_update/issues/asenapine_schizophrenia