Pharmacy

Nutrition focus: Nutrition management remains among the most important interventions for slowing progression, managing symptoms and complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, patient compliance with CKD diets is affected by their complexity, and the nutritional needs can also vary significantly depending on the stage of CKD. In this interview we discuss some options to help patients manage their dietary needs in this therapeutic area.

Nutrition focus: Type 2 diabetes is occurring more in younger people. We have an epidemic of obesity that we have to confront, partly due to food availability, energy dense foods, changes in diet, the westernisation of diets in addition to increasing sedentariness. In this interview we discuss the foundation stone of diabetes care.

Vitamin D, part 3 of a 3 part series – Pregnancy & Infancy. In Australia, between one-quarter and one-half of pregnant women have a mild vitamin D deficiency, which we defined as less than 50 nanomoles per litre. Now babies born to women with vitamin D deficiency are at a greater risk of themselves having a vitamin D deficiency. How can we identify women at risk, and what can we do to help our patients….

Allergic Rhinitis: We have a large burden of allergic rhinitis in Australia, which can significantly affect quality of life.  Allergic disease can affect the lungs, ears, nose and throat, it can affect people’s workplace productivity, absenteeism and asthma control. Patients can sometimes trivialise this disease and there is a high rate of self-treatment, so how can we help our patients to get the right treatment?

Vitamin D, part 1 of a 3 part series –Childhood & Adolescence. Vitamin D deficiency does occur during childhood and adolescence and particularly in children that may have dark skin pigmentation or those that cover up for cultural reasons. Pharmacists need to be aware of the potential symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, and what to do if they suspect it, as the first two decades of life really are a critical window to optimise the bone bank, and reduce fracture risk later on in life.

Vitamin D, part 2 of a 3 part series – Adulthood & Older Age. Vitamin D is an important factor, not only for bone health, but also for muscle health. In older age the aim is to try to minimise bone loss, improve muscle function and ultimately help older people to remain independent for longer. Listen to this interview on how to diagnose, treat and manage vitamin D deficiency in your older patients.

Oncology: By the time a patient starts a third line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer they have already received multiple lines of treatment with a range of fairly distressing adverse events, they’ve had ups and downs in prognosis all along the way. In this interview we discuss the role of the pharmacist in guiding patients through their treatment and the last part of their disease journey.

Allergic rhinitis has really significant impacts on quality of life, sleep, social, and general health. For children this can cause daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, even dropping a grade in their HSC during that spring pollen time of year. In this interview we discuss the role of the pharmacist in diagnosis and correct treatment, specifically in children.

Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest complaints heard by pharmacists, so in this interview we discuss how to identify patients that require joint support, non-pharmacological strategies, first line treatments and the role of nutraceuticals.

This audio file contains all 5 interviews on this edition.

• Track 1, Vitamin D Miniseries: Part 1: Childhood & Adolescence: The first 2 decades of life: A window of opportunity to maximise the bone bank
• Track 2, Vitamin D Miniseries: Part 2: Adulthood & Older Age: Vitamin D for maintaining good bone & muscle health as we age
• Track 3, Oral chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: The pivotal role of the pharmacist
• Track 4, Why do we need to be on the lookout for allergic rhinitis in children?
• Track 5, Updated guidelines for proactive management of osteoarthritis

To view reference lists or product information please go to the individual tracks.