Class

Perinatal depression is common and carries considerable risks, yet patients often receive contradictory information regarding the safety of antidepressant use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In this article, Lucy Broughton sets the record straight and explains how pharmacists can support this important treatment decision

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In this article, Amber Young and Emma Smith explain the roles of the pharmacist in supporting patients taking clozapine

Persistent pain affects physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, and is one of the most prevalent long-term conditions in New Zealand. In this article, Vanessa Brown discusses persistent pain, including its causes, symptoms and treatments. She also explores the concept of central sensitisation and its role in persistent pain

Historically, rheumatoid arthritis was a major cause of chronic pain, disability, loss of independence and even reduced life expectancy. With the widespread use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, it is now a very treatable chronic disease with a life expectancy and quality of life approaching that of the general population

Trauma-informed care is a framework that recognises the need to have a complete picture of a patient’s life to provide them with effective healthcare. It begins with an awareness of what trauma is and how it affects health and wellbeing. Here, Anna Elders challenges you to purposefully focus on the discovery, validation and support of trauma in your patients

New guidelines for asthma management were published in 2020. Pharmacist prescriber Helen Cant outlines what has changed in guideline recommendations and, in collaboration with medical writer Gayle Robins, discusses strategies for reducing the disproportionate asthma burden in Māori and Pacific peoples

Menopause can be a challenging time of life for women, many of whom seek relief from distressing symptoms that affect their function and quality of life. In this article, Susannah O’Sullivan describes how treatment should be tailored to each individual woman, while remembering to engage them in discussion of other midlife health considerations

Holly Teagle explains how New Zealand pharmacists can be part of the solution to increase awareness of hearing loss and its impact on humanity. This article covers screening, diagnosis and prevention of hearing loss, as well as how hearing loss can be effectively treated and supported across the lifespan

John Mottershead describes some of the common and not-so-common primary and secondary headache disorders. He also provides up-to-date information on headache treatment and prevention, including non-pharmacological approaches and new treatments on the horizon

Biological medicines have markedly changed the prognoses for many chronic and disabling inflammatory and immunological conditions and cancers. Their use in New Zealand is increasing and, as patents expire on reference or originator “biologics”, the opportunity arises for competitor manufacturers to list biosimilars – highly similar versions of approved biological medicines