Tag: Drugs

TWIW 203: Opioids no more effective than placebo for back and neck pain

This Week In Wellness Australian researchers have called into question the use of opioids for acute neck and back pain as research shows that the drugs may be no more effective than placebo. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-29/opioids-back-neck-acute-pain-research-findings/102530382 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32142140/

TWIW 162: Is big pharma buying drug regulators?

This Week In Wellness a report by investigative journalist Maryanne Demasi has drawn into question the independence and trustworthiness of medical regulators all over the world as their finding sources are revealed. The investigation published by The BMJ looked at six leading regulators, in Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, the UK, and US and showed that… Continue reading TWIW 162: Is big pharma buying drug regulators?

TWIW 120: Anti-anxiety drug usage soars by 31%

This Week In Wellness the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has reported that prescription rates of anxiety and depression medication have risen dramatically in recent months amidst the ongoing uncertainty created by the Government’s response to Corona virus. https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/use-of-anxiety-and-depression-medication-spikes-as

TWIW 104: Paracetamol ineffective for most pain

This Week In Wellness a review conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney and published in the Medical Journal of Australia has concluded that paracetamol (commonly sold in Australia as Panadol) is no more effective than placebo for most common illness and injuries and in that it’s most ineffective use was for back pain.… Continue reading TWIW 104: Paracetamol ineffective for most pain

TWIW 89: The 10 most commonly taken drugs in Australia

This Week In Wellness Australian Prescriber published its annual list of the 10 most commonly taken and the 10 most costly prescription drugs for the Australian Government based on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data collected between July 2019 and June 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/zoloft-enters-list-of-10-most-commonly-prescribed-drugs-in-australia https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-12-01/australias-most-commonly-prescribed-medicines-statins/12936626 https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/top-10-drugs-2019-20 http://anmf.org.au/pages/the-facts-on-australias-health-spending#:~:text=Approximately%2040%25%20of%20Australia’s%20health,than%202%25%20spent%20on%20prevention

TWIW 52: “Russian Roulette” for 95% of older Australians

This Week In Wellness the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) through their President Associate Professor Chris Freeman say that “we are neglecting vulnerable older Australians when it comes to protecting them from medicine-related harms” and describes their medicine safety as a game of “Russian Roulette”. https://ajp.com.au/news/most-aged-care-residents-have-three-medicine-problems/

SE 8: Drugs and Alcohol for Youth

When is it ok to experiment or experience drugs and/or alcohol? This week, our show hosts explore the addictive nature of drugs and alcohol and how it can affect the future of our younger generations. Toby questions if there is ever a time or a place for alcohol and the girls share their own experiences… Continue reading SE 8: Drugs and Alcohol for Youth

TWG 352: Be Script Wise

This week Brett and Damian cover a very important topic in Australian (and worldwide) health, being Script Wise. Would you be surprised to hear that the deaths from opioid medications in Victoria exceeds the road toll? The Boys were! This week we are joined by Bee Mohammed from www.scriptwise.org.au who shares some alarming statistics about… Continue reading TWG 352: Be Script Wise

100NO 185: Drugs vs Supplements

Damian recently was ridiculed by a speaker whilst giving a presentation in the United States. It’s fair to say it took him by surprise, and also got him thinking about the role of supplements in people’s quest for health. Has our use of supplements gone too far? Did we lose sight of their role? And… Continue reading 100NO 185: Drugs vs Supplements