Update on bpac^nz

Letter to our valued readers

Preventing and managing bronchiectasis in high-risk paediatric populations

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease characterised by bronchial...

Clinical Audit: Reviewing the use of antipsychotic medicines in older people

This audit helps health professionals in primary care to identify...

Peer group discussion: Cognitive impairment and dementia in older people

The following questions can be used as discussion points for...

National report: The use of antipsychotic medicines in older people

The purpose of this report is to provoke thought and discussion...

Symptom management in palliative dementia care

Physical symptoms commonly experienced by people with advanced...

Understanding the role of palliative care for people with advanced dementia

Advanced dementia is a terminal condition for which palliative...

Managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Most people with dementia develop behavioural and psychological...

The 2019 Annual Report is now available

The bpacnz Annual Report provides individualised and practice...

The influenza immunisation programme is starting early in 2020

This year’s influenza immunisation programme has the earlier...

News Update: cilazapril with hydrochlorothiazide will no longer be available in New Zealand

Patients currently prescribed cilazapril + hydrochlorothiazide...

Recognising and managing early dementia

Dementia (mate wareware - see below) is a growing healthcare...

Age-related cognitive decline: prevention and future planning

Declining cognitive function can be a difficult topic to raise...

Peer group discussion: Referral for patients with suspected bowel cancer

The following questions can be used as discussion points for...

Referral of patients with features suggestive of bowel cancer: Ministry of Health guidance

Bowel cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death...

Testing for prostate cancer: helping patients to decide

Testing for prostate cancer is a difficult issue as many prostate...

Biosimilars: the future of prescribing biological medicines

Biological medicines are an important advancement in the pharmaceutical...

Appropriate prescribing of amino acid formula in infants with cows’ milk protein allergy

This audit helps health professionals in primary care identify...

Reducing the burden of melanoma in New Zealand Part 1: Prevention and risk assessment

Limiting UV radiation exposure through sun smart behaviour is...

Reducing the burden of melanoma in New Zealand Part 2: Early detection of melanoma

Identification of melanoma at the earliest possible clinical...

Peer group discussion: diagnosing and managing perinatal depression in primary care

The following questions can be used as discussion points for...

Menopausal hormone therapy: where are we now?

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is an effective treatment for...

National report: Prescribing menopausal hormone therapy

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment...

Diagnosing and managing primary ovarian insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency is the loss of ovarian function...

Clinical Audit: Reviewing the use of menopausal hormone therapy

This audit helps health professionals in primary care identify...

Investigating and managing abnormal vaginal bleeding: an overview

Abnormal vaginal bleeding has many potential causes, ranging...

Managing cows' milk protein allergy in infants

Dietary avoidance of cows’ milk is the only management strategy...

Diagnosing and managing perinatal depression in primary care

The consequences of perinatal depression* can be severe. Suicide...

News update: Criteria widened for exceptional circumstances funding of lamotrigine

News update: Annual Prescribing report

The role of the primary healthcare team in pregnancy care

Pregnancy is a time when women are likely to engage with a number...

Community pharmacy guide on medicine safety in pregnancy

Community pharmacists are a key point of contact for women seeking...

News item: access to levonorgestrel intrauterine devices/systems widened

From 1 November, 2019, levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs;...

Reviewing SSRI use in older patients

This audit helps health professionals in primary care identify...

Peer group discussion: SSRI prescribing in primary care

The following questions can be used as discussion points for...

General Practice papers at the University of Otago

Three new distance taught GENA papers are now available for...

Somatisation: demystifying the “ghost in the machine”

Somatisation is a maladaptive functioning of an organ system,...

Carbon monoxide poisoning: a hidden danger

Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas....

Depression or distress? Examining SSRI prescribing in primary care

Differentiating short-term psychological distress from depression...

Motivational interviewing in primary care

Motivational Interviewing is a way of building and strengthening...

The nocebo effect: what is it, why is it important and how can it be reduced?

The nocebo effect describes adverse symptoms induced independently...

The funded brand of lamotrigine is changing

Changes in funded brands of antiepileptic medicines can lead...

Navigating uncertainty: managing respiratory tract infections

With winter upon us, it is timely to reflect on antibiotic prescribing...

National report: A pharmacological profile of patients with type 2 diabetes

This report provides an overview of the clinical characteristics...

Prescribing report: A pharmacological profile of patients with type 2 diabetes

This report provides an overview of the clinical characteristics...

Clinical Audit: Monitoring renal function in patients with diabetes

This audit identifies patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes...

Diabetes theme: Knowing your patients with type 1 diabetes

The following question can be used as discussion points for...

Antiarrhythmic medicine brand changes: flecainide and amiodarone

Patients taking oral flecainide or amiodarone need to know that...

Knowing your patient with type 1 diabetes: the transition to self-management

Living with type 1 diabetes is challenging, particularly as...

Clinical Audit - Encouraging Smoking Cessation

Smoking rates have been steadily declining in New Zealand for...

Clinical Audit: Safe and Effective Use of Warfarin

Warfarin is a medicine frequently associated with adverse drug...

Clinical Audit: Sexual health checks in younger males

Increasing the uptake of opportunistic testing is essential...

Understanding the role of insulin in the management of type 1 diabetes

Insulin treatment is an essential component of type 1 diabetes...

Sexual health theme: What’s new in contraception?

The following questions can be used as discussion points for...

Slowing progression of renal dysfunction in patients with diabetes

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage...