NEWS 13
ausdoc . com . au 1 DECEMBER 2023
NEWS 13
Nebule shortage : ‘ Switch to inhalers ’
Rachel Fieldhouse A LOOMING shortage of low-dose |
last year , although the 5mg / 2.5mL nebules and other inhaler devices |
contact affected patients and to also transition those on the 5mg / 2.5mL |
there are fewer side effects , such as tachycardia . |
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salbutamol nebules is an opportu- |
using salbutamol are unaffected . |
nebules to an inhaler or spacer as well . |
“ But if it is deemed that nebu- |
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nity to switch patients with asthma |
Dr Kerry Hancock — chair of the |
“ Patients have the perception |
liser therapy is required , just pre- |
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to a metered-dose inhaler , a leading |
RACGP ’ s Specific Interests Respira- |
that something that is coming out of |
scribe the amount that is needed |
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GP says . |
tory Medicine group — said , “ GPs |
a machine with plumes of vapour in |
for that exacerbation rather than |
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The TGA ’ s medicine shortage |
can review the management of their |
front of them … and bells and whis- |
having five repeats automatically |
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database indicates that Ventolin |
patients … and not just automatically |
tles is actually working better ,” the |
added to the prescription .” |
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2.5mg / 2.5mL salbutamol inhalation |
change them to the 5mg nebule . |
Adelaide GP added . |
According to the Thoracic Soci- |
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solution ampoules will be in short |
“ We can consider whether they |
“ We have known for at least 20 |
ety of Australia and New Zealand , |
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supply until August 2024 . |
do require their salbutamol and , if |
years that the effectiveness is the |
the shortage was due to an “ unex- |
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This will be in addition to the shortage of Cipla 2.5mg / 2.5mL salbutamol nebules since December |
they do , to change them over to a pressurised metered-dose inhaler .”
She encouraged GPs to proactively
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same when it is given correctly through a puffer and spacer compared with a nebuliser and that |
pected increase in patient demand and limited scope to adjust manufacturing capacity ”. |
Dr Kerry Hancock . |
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RACGP announces CEO exit |
DOCTOR : Let ’ s go through some of your questions .
skai . org . au / healthcare-professionals
Paul Smith and Rachel Carter THE RACGP has revealed that its CEO , Paul Wappett , has left the organisation , but is not revealing why .
Australian Doctor had been told he had been forced out following a recent board meeting .
But in a media briefing last week , the college said it could not confirm or deny the claim .
“ We respect Paul ’ s privacy , and the terms of which this has been dealt with are confidential ,” its chair Dr Lara Roeske said .
Mr Wappett was appointed in 2021 following the departure of the previous incumbent Matthew Miles after just over a year in the post .
During his tenure , Mr Wappett oversaw the handing back of GP training following the takeover by the Federal Government more than 20 years ago .
Dr Roeske said that any financial settlements relating to his departure would be reported at the next AGM where members would also be able to pose questions .
However , the AGM will not take place until late next year .
Mr Wappett ’ s departure came a week after this year ’ s AGM , where the ongoing financial problems it faces were discussed .
While funding for the training handover meant that the college ’ s revenue reached record levels , its annual report revealed it faced a $ 5.7m deficit in 2022-23 , although 50 job cuts and an overhaul of membership fee categories had helped bring this down from a forecast deficit of $ 10m .
Mr Wappett had said the college had put together a three-year plan aimed at getting back into “ a breakeven result ” in the 2024 / 25 financial year .
Dr Roeske declined to comment on the college ’ s financial problems during the media briefing or whether these were the reasons Mr Wappett had been allegedly forced out .
She confirmed that Dr David Hillis , adjunct associate professor at Monash University ’ s school of public health and preventive medicine , will take up the post of interim RACGP CEO .
She said : “ We take this opportunity to thank [ Mr Wappett ] for his service during the past two years .”