E157 - Top 10 drugs 2021-22 and 2022-23

Jo Cheah speaks to Peter Wark about his article on biologic therapies for severe asthma with persistent type 2 inflammation. Peter explains the difference between difficult and severe asthma and how to test for persistent type 2 inflammation. He also runs through the available biologics and when and how they are used. Read the full article by Peter and his co-author, Sahan Chandrasekara, in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman talks to Garry Jennings, Chief Medical Advisor of the National Heart Foundation of Australia, about his article on the 2023 Australian Guideline for Assessing and Managing Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Garry discusses the updates to the guideline, including the age from which assessment should occur and new risk factors considered, and he gives some tips for communicating cardiovascular disease risk to patients. Read the full article by Garry and his co-authors in Australian Prescriber. 

David Liew talks to gastroenterologist Varan Perananthan about his article on diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). Varan explains the causes and symptoms of EoE, why the prevalence has been increasing, and how to differentiate EoE from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Also discussed are dietary approaches for identifying food triggers and pharmacological treatments for EoE. Read the full article by Varan and his co-author, Rebecca Burgell, in Australian Prescriber.

Laura Beaton talks to Leonie Callaway, Obstetric and General Physician and Director of Research at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, about her article on the management of pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy. Leonie talks about maternal and fetal complications and the importance of high-quality preconception care, factors that can affect glucose control and the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring, and postpartum care. Read the full article by Leonie and her co-author Fiona Britten in Australia Prescriber.

Laura Beaton speaks to Karen Magraith, GP and immediate-past president of the Australasian Menopause Society, about treatments for menopausal symptoms. They discuss the benefits of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and how to choose the most suitable preparation, as well as duration of therapy and nonhormonal treatment options for those with contraindications to MHT. Read the full article by Karen and her co-author, Christina Jang, in Australian Prescriber.

Dhineli Perera sits down with Adam Nelson to discuss updates in the management of hypercholesterolaemia. Adam explains how triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol differ in their links to cardiovascular disease. He provides useful tips for checking a lipid profile and highlights other tests that may be helpful when assessing a patient with hypercholesterolaemia. Adam also explains the latest in treatments for reducing LDL cholesterol concentrations and what this means for the role of statins. Read the full article by Adam Nelson and Stephen Nicholls in Australian Prescriber.

Jo Cheah chats with clinical pharmacologist Richard Day about off-label prescribing. Ric explains why off-label prescribing occurs, the barriers to getting new indications added to a drug’s approved label, and the potential risks of off-label prescribing without sufficient evidence. Read the full article by Richard Day in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman sits down with Lee Fong to discuss the changes to the latest version of Therapeutic Guidelines: Dermatology. Lee talks about misconceptions around the use of topical corticosteroids, tailoring treatments to the subtype of acne, and management tips for scabies, sweating disorders, psoriasis and much more.

Dhineli Perera and Andrew McLachlan, Dean of The University of Sydney’s Pharmacy School, talk about the 2022 National Medicines Policy. Andrew gives an overview of the refreshed Policy, what’s changed, and how the Policy can be implemented into practice. Read the full article by Andrew and his colleague, Parisa Aslani, in Australian Prescriber.

Dhineli Perera chats with clinical pharmacologist and fellow podcast host David Liew about Australia's top 10 drugs over the last 2 years. David explains the relationship between the PBAC and the PBS and the different ways the top 10 drugs are presented, and offers some insights into why particular drugs are on the lists. Read the full articles for 2021-22 and 2022-23 in Australian Prescriber.