Health Report - Separate stories podcast

In the news:

• People report feeling tired as they adjust to daylight saving time as the clock springs forward and falls back. But what does the science say about how the time change affects our health?
• The results of a study on the diet of pregnant and breast feeding women and the effect it has on the infant's likelihood of developing an allergy.
• Astra Zeneca has announced it will extend access to Gosrelin 3.6mg implant via the PBS

References

• A systematic review of epidemiological studies into daylight-saving time & health identifying beneficial & adverse effects
• Trial of a Maternal Diet Rich in Eggs and Peanuts to Reduce Infant Allergy
• Astrazeneca to extend PBS access to Zoladex® (goserelin) monthly (3.6mg) implant

Waking up with stiff hips and sore legs? It may be more than just the signs of old age.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that mostly affects people over 65 years of age but can happen earlier. Learn what to look out for and when you should get it checked out.

Guest/s

• Professor Catherine Hill, Head of Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Adelaide and Head of the Rheumatology research group Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Research 

If you have PMR and would like to participate in research, you can contact Professor Hill here.

A health law expert has examined the LillyDirect platform, which now facilitates dispensing of the pharmaceutical company's own GLP1 medicine in Australia.

He talks through the regulations that apply to this model to see how it stacks up. 

Norman Swan is a director of a company that has a share in an online pharmacy business.

Guest/s

• Dr Christopher Rudge, lecturer at Sydney Law School, and Deputy Director of Sydney Health Law 

References

• Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy model

• ABC News: Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door

  Lilly Australia told ABC News that LillyDirect operates within existing regulatory frameworks and that the service would improve affordability and convenience for Australians. A spokesperson said: "Australian doctors prescribe the medicine, Australian pharmacists review and dispense prescriptions, and Australian healthcare, pharmacy, privacy and regulatory requirements apply at every stage."

The Fijian government recently declared a national emergency in response to the rising number of HIV cases in the country. 

How will that help residents who already have HIV to stay healthy, and prevent further transmission?

Guest/s

• Dr Virginia Macdonald, Technical lead HIV, Kirby Institute, UNSW 

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.

You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:

• After failing to negotiate a way for their medicine, tirzapetide to be listed on the PBS, Eli Lilly has launched an online platform to "facilitate dispensing and delivery of medicines to consumers".  LillyDirect is now operating in Australia with their GLP1 receptor agonist the first medicine to be supplied to patients in this way via a third party online pharmacy and with options for home delivery.
• Fiji has declared a national emergency around it's HIV crisis and is taking an all of government approach to address the epidemic and prevent further transmission.
• The TGA has removed Andropgraphis from the list of ingredients allowed in medicines and supplements, in response a high number of adverse reactions. This will impact some cold and flu remedies and 'immune-boosting' supplements which should now be withdrawn from sale.

References

• Lilly Direct consumer press release
• Fijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soar
• WHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergency
• Keeping HIV under control is increasingly challenging
• Andrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk
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While diagnoses for adult ADHD are on the rise, we look at medications and other treatments for ADHD in children. 

Emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalisations occur more often for those being cared for in privately run aged care homes.

Researchers believe this may indicate the quality of care is poorer in these facilities and warn against the trend away from government-run and not-for-profit aged care homes.

Guest/s

• Professor Maria Inacio, Professor in Health Services and epidemiology Director of the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) at Flinders University and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute 

References

• Association of long-term care facility ownership and location on residents’ mortality and hospitalisations: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Australia 

A study investigating the potential link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and colorectal cancer finds there is no evidence for it either way.

It confirms that using these medications does not affect your chance of getting this type of cancer, nor does it provide protection against the disease.

Guest/s

• Dr Lina Morch, Team leader, Treatment for cancer group, Danish Cancer Institute 

References

• Contemporary hormonal contraception and colorectal cancer in premenopausal women: nationwide cohort study

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.

You can email us at [email protected]