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.

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.

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.

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.

The Asthma Control Test; listen how this simple test can help you assist your patients improve their asthma control.

Meningococcal B disease is unpredictable, difficult to diagnose, can have rapid-onset and have devastating and potentially deadly consequences. It’s important to realise that it can now be prevented by vaccination, so we discuss who’s at risk and the efficacy, safety and schedule of meningococcal B vaccination.

Death, coronary artery disease, stroke, renal failure, limb amputations, blindness, are all complications of diabetes. Early control with the appropriate medication is vital, so to help us navigate the maze of type 2 diabetes, listen to this interview with Prof Richard O’Brien from Austin Health.

Australians travelling to hepatitis B and A endemic areas may be at risk of acquiring both the hepatitis B and A virus through everyday holiday activities. The pharmacy is often the first place a traveller heads to before they’re going overseas, so we discuss the role pharmacists can play in advocating for vaccination and encouraging travellers to seek advice from their GP.

‘National Stroke Week’ in September launched the updated ‘Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management’. The number of strokes in Australia continues to rise, but advancements in treatment mean it is no longer a death sentence for thousands of people, so what are the evidence based recommendations for the management of stroke care, which aim to strengthen health systems and improve stroke outcomes?