Medica - Australian Healthcare News and Information

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.

The AMA says there have been no problems with the blood-thinning drug heparin in Australia, despite the recall of batches of one particular heparin product.

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.

A new drug called PBT2 has shown promise in phase 2 trials against Alzheimers disease.

New research indicated that many teenagers may take a cue from their parents when it comes to alcohol habits. 15 February 2008

The Australian Democrats have called for over-the-counter availability of the oral contraceptive pill.Debate over the downscheduling of the oral contraceptive pill.

A pilot program in the Hunter Valley will involve pharmacists in the management of Australia’s fifth-biggest killer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The National Prescribing Service is encouraging pharmacists to support it’s research of complementary medicines.

Pharmacists appear to feel positively towards providing opioid substitution treatment.

The 11th annual Pollie Pedal kicked off in Melbourne, raising money for prostate cancer research.

The state Government says the deteriorating health of Australians is a "ticking time bomb" putting enormous strain on the country's health system.

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.

A simple saliva test may one day be used in ambulances, pharmacies or other places in the community to quickly tell if a person is having a heart attack.