National report: Reviewing SABA treatment for asthma management in adolescents and adults

For more than 50 years, people with asthma have been prescribed...

Prescribing report: Reviewing SABA treatment for asthma management in adolescents and adults

For more than 50 years, people with asthma have been prescribed...

Reviewing SABA-only asthma treatment in adolescents and adults

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

Peer group discussion: The pharmacological management of asthma in adolescents and adults has changed

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

The pharmacological management of asthma in adolescents and adults has changed

The recently released New Zealand adolescent and adult asthma...

Pharmacological management of asthma in children aged 5–11 years

A brief overview of the recently released Asthma and Respiratory...

Is it asthma? Assessing and managing wheeze in pre-school children

Wheeze in children aged under five years is common and often...

National report: Testing for prostate cancer in primary care

This report provides an overview of laboratory prostate-specific...

An update on the pharmacological management of stable COPD

New guidelines for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary...

The COPD prescribing tool for initiating medicines

This tool provides pharmacological treatment options for patients...

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...

Testing for prostate cancer: helping patients to decide

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

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...

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...

Diagnosing and managing primary ovarian insufficiency

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

National report: Prescribing menopausal hormone therapy

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

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: Annual Prescribing report

News update: Criteria widened for exceptional circumstances funding of lamotrigine

Community pharmacy guide on medicine safety in pregnancy

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

The role of the primary healthcare team in pregnancy care

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

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...