http://www.nps.org.au/homeEverything new at NPSDiscusses the role of GPs in monitoring metal ion levels in people with metal-on-metal total hip replacement prostheses.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/monitoring_for_potential_toxicity_in_patients_with_metal-on-metal_hip_prosthesesPharmacists attending the National Medicines Symposium (NMS 2012) will be able to apply for professional development points through the PSAhttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/New_ideas_and_CPD_points_for_pharmacists_at_NMS_2012Implement the evaluation plan for the MedicineInsight team – Collaborative and innovative not-for-profit – Great location near Centralhttp://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/planning_and_evaluation_program_officerNext week NPS will host its inaugural webinar for GPs looking at medical imaging in respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Forming part of the NPS campaign on antibiotic resistance, the webinar on 10 May enables GPs to engage with imaging experts in real-time and gain insights into when imaging is appropriate for RTIs.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Scanning_the_evidence_for_imaging_in_RTi_NPS_webinarThe NPS online Medicine Name Finder has been updated with a new feature to help consumers make choices between medicine brandshttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/New_online_tool_to_help_consumers_navigate_their_medicine_brand_choicesDelegates attending next month’s National Medicines Symposium (NMS 2012) will be spoilt for choice with a full and diverse program, available from www.nps.org.au/nms2012http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Final_NMS_2012_program_now_availableThis clinical audit will assist you to confirm the diagnosis and severity of depressive disorder to guide managementhttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/about_clinical_audit_depressionDr Janette Randall, Chair of NPShttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/National_Press_Club_address_Back_to_the_future_life_without_effective_antibioticsNPS Board Chair Dr Janette Randall today called on the government to take the lead on a cross sectoral approach towards tackling the antibiotic-resistance crisis facing the Australian community.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Government_must_take_the_lead_in_tackling_antibiotic_resistance_NPS_board_chair_Dr_Janette_Randall_address_to_the_National_Press_ClubProvide high-level clinical advice – achieve a better work–life balance –Provide knowledge and experience in areas of medical tests, epidemiology and prescribinghttp://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/clinical_adviser_medical_testsThis issue of Nurse Update looks at the benefits of being medicinewise for people with depression, the new NPS campaign to help combat antibiotic resistance, recent statin warnings, the new vaccination information hub now available on the NPS website, and the National Medicines Symposium (NMS) 24–25 May 2012.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nurse_update/updates/apr_2012NPS has launched a new Facebook page for Australians to sign up and become antibiotic resistance fighters at www.facebook.com/NPSmedicinewisehttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Sign_up_to_be_an_antibiotic_resistance_fighter_at_facebook.comnpsmedicinewiseIt’s hard to believe 100 years ago, a simple scratch could kill. In the days before antibiotics were discovered, people had little defence against bacterial infections so a festering wound or a bout of tonsillitis could often turn life-threatening. Now the world is on the brink of returning to the pre-antibiotic era because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics globally. In fact in 2011 the World Health Organization issued an ominous warning: act now or risk losing these miracle drugs foreverhttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Back_to_the_future__life_without_antibiotics_National_Press_Club_address_on_26_April1 in 5 Australians expect their doctor to prescribe antibiotics for themselves and/or their child when they have a cough or cold, new research from NPS has foundhttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/1_in_5_Australians_expect_antibiotics_for_coughs_or_colds_new_NPS_campaignBe a part of this new ground-breaking piece of work to improve the information we have on how prescription medicines are used in Australian primary care. Located in central Melbourne, enjoy flexible working hours & extra leave for better work/life balance.http://www.nps.org.au/careers/job_opportunities/job_opportunities/positions2/job_title11The treatment of asthma in Australians remains inadequate, and could be improved by tailoring individuals’ asthma treatment and educating patients on inhaler technique, a leading asthma expert has warned.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Asthma_treatment_still_inadequate_in_AustraliaSleep apnoea affects around five per cent of Australians, including one in four men over the age of 30. Increasingly home sleep studies are being used to investigate and diagnose the illnesshttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Are_home_studies_effective_in_diagnosing_serious_sleep_problemsFurther to advice issued by the RACGP and the Chief Medical Officer, NPS is encouraging health professionals to offer their patients influenza vaccination, especially for those at risk, but to be aware that the choice of influenza vaccine is important, especially for children.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Influenza_vaccine_recommended_but_select_the_appropriate_vaccineAntibiotic resistance could bring an end to modern medicine – are you ready to join the fight?http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Media_briefing_on_new_NPS_Medicinewise_Antibiotic_Resistance_campaignThe Easter long weekend and the April school holidays are a chance to escape the daily routine, but forgetting your usual medicines routine and not taking or storing medicines properly can have serious consequences.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Escape_the_daily_routine__but_dont_forget_your_medicineHealth professionals, consumers and industry organisations are invited to enter projects or activities that address quality use of medicines in the broader community in the new 2012 National MedicineWise Awards.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Entries_now_open_for_National_Medicinewise_AwardsThose at risk of anaphylaxis are likely to carry an adrenaline autoinjector that they or a carer can use in the case of emergency. When someone has an anaphylactic reaction, adrenaline needs to be given as soon as possiblehttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Safe_use_of_adrenaline_for_people_with_anaphylaxisThe April edition of Australian Prescriber is out now and looks at topical issueshttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Latest_edition_of_Australian_Prescriber_out_now_-_April_2012Depression is second after hypertension among the chronic problems most frequently seen by Australian GPs. We review the latest evidence and guidance.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_news/current/depression_challenges_in_primary_careExplains how we select topics for NPS RADAR reviews.http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2012/april_2012/brief_item_editorialAn update on the availability of NPS RADAR in prescribing software packageshttp://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2012/april_2012/brief_item_prescribingsoftwareNPS 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/april_2012NPS has released a new quick question guide for consumers designed to help them make a safe and confident choice between medicine brandshttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/5_questions_to_ask_when_you_are_offered_an_alternative_brand_of_medicine_Be_medicinewise_Week_2012Almost 1 in 3 people said they were likely to search the internet for information about their symptoms before they visited their doctor, new research from NPS* has found.http://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/1_in_3_Australians_search_internet_before_they_speak_to_their_doctor_Be_medicinewise_Week_2012NPS is reminding pharmacists to place patient care first and avoid multiple switching of medicine brands for patients who may be at higher risk of confusion from switching, as price disclosure arrangements come into effect this weekendhttp://www.nps.org.au/news_and_media/media_releases/repository/Consumer_should_be_centre_of_care_when_offering_alternative_medicine_brands