Medica - Australian Healthcare News and Information

New data presented at the 57th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology shows that high dose rosuvastatin in patients with coronary artery disease treated caused significant reductions in LDL and increases in HDL.

A new three in one osteoporosis treatment is to be listed on the PBS from May.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has developed a tool, called MedsIndex, to help improve compliance with chronic disease medications.

A state government review leaked to Melbourne’s Age newspaper apparently shows that alarming numbers of surgeons are leaving Victoria's public health system over pay and working conditions.

An Australian trial has found that hormone patches used to help older women through menopause can also radically improve the most debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia.

One doctor is close to quitting, another forced to see patients in a "40-degree sweat box" and one specialist says surgeons cannot carry out surgery because there are not enough beds.

Bureau of Statistics figures indictate that the leading underlying cause of death for all Australians is still ischaemic heart diseases, contributing to 18% of all male deaths and 17% of all female deaths registered in 2006.

US researchers say implanted heart defibrillators can be hacked from the outside.
A team of computer experts, electrical engineers and cardiologists say there is no immediate danger to patients.

A study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia has called for standardisation of diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, to ensure consistency between treatment by psychiatrists and paediatricians.

The TGA has decided against re-classifying the sleeping pill Stilnox as a controlled substance….but instead has issued a warning about potential serious side effects.

New research published in the American Journal of Cardiology reports that 83% of patients who experienced muscle related side effects on previous statin therapy for high cholesterol were free of these symptoms after treatment with the prolonged release statin, Lescol XL 80mg.

Health chiefs warn Victoria faces a massive shortage of GPs and have called on the federal and state governments to help boost doctor numbers.
The Victorian AMA state says the chronic doctor shortage is already affecting communities' access to primary care, with the worst yet to come over the next five years.