Benzodiazepines and zopiclone: is overuse still an issue?

Despite being recommended for short-term use only, and usually...

Case study: ten men addicted to Ayurvedic medicines (Kamini and Barshasha) presenting for opioid substitution treatment

We present a special edition “Case of the week” submitted by...

Assessment and management of alcohol misuse by primary care

Recent evidence shows that levels of alcohol consumption that...

Addressing methamphetamine use in primary care

Methamphetamine, commonly referred to in New Zealand as “meth”...

Understanding the role of opioids in chronic non-malignant pain

There is no evidence that opioids such as tramadol are effective...

Unintentional misuse of prescription medicines

There is a significant issue in the community with people taking...

Smoke and mirrors: is vaping useful for smokers who cannot quit?

There are many approved and fully subsidised medicines that...

Alcohol misuse: how to help patients in primary care

This article has been superseded by: Assessment and management...

Addressing mental health and wellbeing in young people

Overuse of benzodiazepines: still an issue?

The optimal management of patients with COPD

Managing frequently encountered mental health problems in young people: non-pharmacological strategies

Young people experience a variety of mental health conditions....

Smoking cessation - helping patients stick with it, until they quit

Nicotine addiction is a disorder that should be considered at...

Addressing mental health and wellbeing in young people

This is the first of a series of articles which will examine...

Essentials for people with COPD

The interventions with the greatest potential to prevent further...

Overuse of benzodiazepines: still an issue?

Benzodiazepines may be considered as a short-term treatment...

Research updates

Shorter courses of oral corticosteroids for the management of...

Smoking cessation beyond the ABC: Tailoring strategies to high-risk groups

Smoking rates are declining in New Zealand as more and more...

Identifying and managing addiction to opioids

The increased use of opioid analgesics in recent years, particularly...

Upfront: “A disaster in the making”: it’s time to take action against misuse of oxycodone

Dr Jeremy McMinn is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction...

The elite athlete-patient: a fresh clinical challenge

Associate Professor David Gerrard is a sports physician at the...

Smoking prevention and cessation in adolescents: Changing futures, saving lives

On average, New Zealanders who smoke try their first cigarette...

Encouraging smoke-free pregnancies: the role of primary care

One in ten New Zealand women smoke during pregnancy and this...

Update on oxycodone: what can primary care do about the problem?

The volume of oxycodone prescribed in New Zealand is continuing...

Diagnosis and management of COPD in Māori and Pacific peoples

COPD disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific peoples...

PHO Performance Programme - six years on

The PHO Performance Programme was established in 2005 to improve...

Smoking status and cessation support

The PHO Performance Programme aims to improve health and reduce...

News in brief: Varenicline: amendments to Special Authority funding

This article has been archived. If you would like access...

Oxycodone use still increasing

Oxycodone is a strong opioid used for the treatment of moderate...

The fear of enabling; misuse of prescription medicines

Misuse of prescription opioids is increasing worldwide and many...

The nutritional management of unintentional weight loss in people with COPD

People with COPD are generally underweight, have reduced muscle...

News in brief

This article has been archived. If you would like access...

Update on smoking cessation

The rate of smoking among New Zealanders is slowly declining,...

Investigation of hazardous drinking

Approximately 20–25% of New Zealanders consume alcohol at a...

Substance misuse and addiction in Māori

It is estimated that substance misuse and other addictions are...

Smoking related cancer morbidity and mortality

The majority of people with cancer will initially present to...

Nicotine replacement therapy prescription changes

This article has been archived. If you would like access...

Management of acute exacerbations of COPD in primary care

An update on COPD; acute exacerbations management, adapted...

Free smoking cessation training for health professionals

Akoranga aukati kai paipaA brief overview of how and where to...

Practice tips: Bupropion colchicine & first void urine

Quick tips

Smoking cessation for Māori

Te aukatinga kai paipa Encouraging Māori who smoke to...

Smoking cessation - Pharmacological therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy, nortriptyline, bupropion and varenicline...

Getting the most out of nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is not a magic cure but it...

The social responsibility of smokers

While people continue to smoke, they must be aware of the health...

Why people smoke

There are many reasons why people begin smoking, continue to...

The science behind lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease

When advice is provided to patients about reducing cardiovascular...

Anticholinergics for COPD

Two recent studies have raised concern that the use of ipratropium...

Prescription drug misuse: how to identify and manage drug seekers

Although an increasing problem in general practice, identifying...

The nutritional management of weight loss in COPD

People with COPD are generally underweight, have reduced muscle...

Snippets: Varenicline & Smoking

Varenicline and suicidal behaviour. Wider access to quit cards.The...

COPD in primary care: reminder and update

Managing COPD continues to be a major feature of primary care,...

Update of New Zealand smoking cessation guideline

The recently overhauled New Zealand smoking cessation guideline...

Dear Dave

Can smoking cessation affect the dose of antipsychotics?Do statins...

COPD update

Tiotropium is an effective option | Long acting beta agonists...

Non-evidential laboratory testing for drug use in adolescents

On occasion, an adolescent may present at their general practice...

Substance misuse in adolescents: alcohol, cannabis & other drugs

The risk of injury or death during adolescence is two to three...