Australian Doctor 8th Dec 2023 8th Dec 23 | Page 13

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 .
salbutamol nebules is an opportu-
using salbutamol are unaffected .
nebules to an inhaler or spacer as well .
“ But if it is deemed that nebu-
nity to switch patients with asthma
Dr Kerry Hancock — chair of the
“ Patients have the perception
liser therapy is required , just pre-
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
GP says .
tory Medicine group — said , “ GPs
a machine with plumes of vapour in
for that exacerbation rather than
The TGA ’ s medicine shortage
can review the management of their
front of them … and bells and whis-
having five repeats automatically
database indicates that Ventolin
patients … and not just automatically
tles is actually working better ,” the
added to the prescription .”
2.5mg / 2.5mL salbutamol inhalation
change them to the 5mg nebule .
Adelaide GP added .
According to the Thoracic Soci-
solution ampoules will be in short
“ We can consider whether they
“ We have known for at least 20
ety of Australia and New Zealand ,
supply until August 2024 .
do require their salbutamol and , if
years that the effectiveness is the
the shortage was due to an “ unex-
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
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 .

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 .”