Professor John Fraser

✅ The Importance of Compliance with TGO 93 and TGO 100 in Medicinal Cannabis 🌿 Compliance with Therapeutic Goods Orders (TGO) 93 and 100 is critical in delivering medicinal cannabis products that meet the highest safety and quality standards for the Australian phytopharmaceutical sector. TGO 93 outlines the quality requirements for medicinal cannabis products, while TGO 100 sets the microbiological standards, ensuring that all products are safe for patient use. Achieving test results that fall below the Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) and Total Yeast and Mould Count (TYMC) thresholds is essential, especially for non-irradiated medicinal cannabis flower products. Non-irradiated products preserve the natural integrity of the plant, but this also means there is zero margin for error when it comes to microbial contamination. By consistently delivering below-threshold TAMC and TYMC results, we will ensure that our medicinal cannabis products not only comply with stringent regulatory standards but also provide patients with a safer, more natural therapeutic option. This level of compliance reflects our commitment to excellence and will position us as leaders in the Australian phytopharmaceutical industry. #SpringSciencesAustralia #NonIrradiatedFlower #Phytopharmaceuticals #PhytosanitaryProcedures #CannabisTesting #LiveLifeBetter

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CHF has noted the Australian Government’s response to the Senate Select Committee’s dental report titled: ‘A system in decay: a review into dental services in Australia’ published in November 2023. The Committee’s report made 35 recommendations designed to improve the access and affordability of dental services for Australians who most needed them but could least afford them. CHF believes that much more needs to be done to better the oral health of Australians. The Government must focus its immediate attention in three key areas: - Establish a Chief Dental and Oral Health Officer - Integrate dental and oral health into primary healthcare - Establish a Seniors Dental Benefit scheme. Learn more about the findings here: https://ow.ly/c5ZI50SIOWW

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Jump to the second story in the article (cut and pasted below). So someone had a blood blister and ended up needing an over complicated series of “solutions” to end up being told it’s a blood blister? I hate to be repetitive but MAYBE YOU COULD JUST FUND GPs PROPERLY AND THEY WOULD VISIT AGED CARE HOMES instead of building complicated work arounds? I’m all for accessible digital health but if this is the best example you’re choosing to publish to prove what a great investment this is you’re living on another planet…. So this “solution” was: - expensive Telehealth carts everywhere - an RN on the ward escalated to a nurse practitioner - the nurse practitioner escalated to an emergency department consultant - the virtual ED consultant determined it was a blood blister Surely the bigger story is why was this patient even involving the hospital system in the first place? Would the better answer not been - RACF RN concerned, makes on the day urgent Telehealth appointment with GP or their clinic who looks after the patient - GP reviews, decides it’s a blood blister The reason that doesn’t happen is GPs refuse to engage to RACFs as the remuneration is so poor for what is often a barrage of paperwork and risk dumping. They want to do the work but the red tape and lack of pay is crippling. WA PRIMARY HEALTH ALLIANCE WAPHA is rolling out 180 telehealth carts to aged care facilities across the state. These carts, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enable quick and efficient communication with GPs and other clinicians, improving access to care and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. Magnolia House at Brightwater Oxford Gardens recently used the cart to support a 74-year-old resident who presented with a necrotic blood blister on the tip of his left big toe. The nurse practitioner assessed the patient on-site and, concerned about the resident’s medical history, requested an urgent Doppler test and a transfer to the emergency department, suspecting a diabetic foot ulcer or gangrene. The WA Virtual ED was initiated by Joondalup Health Campus prior to sending out an ambulance, and an ED consultant was able to use the telehealth cart’s high-resolution cameras to examine the toe. Upon examination, it was determined that the cause was related to a hematoma secondary to trauma rather than a gangrenous toe. The patient was happy to be able to stay at the facility and receive the appropriate treatment on-site. The remote clinician commented that the cart helped prevent an unnecessary and uncomfortable visit to the emergency department. Additionally, it helped avoid any possible complications that could have arisen from the visit. Practices can view a list of RACHs with Visionflex’s telehealth technology or contact [email protected] for additional support. This equipment has been made available through funding under the Australian Government aged care reform package.

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*Snooze switch for dental surgeons* ⏰ One of the major concerns for dentists while administering anesthesia is undoubtedly managing patient's dental anxiety, most often the fear of needles! 💉 😬 Patient comfort is paramount at PnG Healthcare and our professionals seek cutting-edge technology to deliver treatments that minimize discomfort. Introducing The SleeperOne, state-of-the-art electronic anesthesia device in our practice, has been a game-changer for patients loosing sleep over dental phobia. The advanced anesthesia technology has an advantage of ergonomic grip, that minimizes a clinicians physical efforts while providing a painless, apprehension-free experience for patients of all ages. Implementation of modern techniques, positions our organization as a leader in the field. As said by our co-founder @Dr Gurudev, "Not all superheroes wear capes, some wield magic wands instead." ✨ #DentalSleeperOne #NOFearOfNeedles #PainlessDentistry #PnGHealthcare #OralHealth Dr.Premila Naidu

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Why are only 20 doctors using a $24 million government website meant to help Australians compare medical fees? This issue, raised this week in Senate Estimates Committee, is more than just a hiccup—it signals a serious barrier to informed decision-making in healthcare. The Medical Cost Finder website has the potential to be a great tool for Australians seeking healthcare. But it's not right now. In the article below, I expressed CHF's disappointment with the low number of practitioners sharing their fees. We hear too many stories of patients experiencing bill shock, thinking that they know the costs of care, only to find out otherwise. This must stop. Everyone involved in the payment chain needs to step up and contribute to build a financially transparent healthcare system. Clinicians and business owners have expressed concern, about price wars and ‘a race to the bottom’, should fees become more widely known. Partly this concern seems based on the notion that Australians won’t understand the difference between cheap care and good care. I don’t share those concerns, and here is why. I don’t make important decisions of any kind based solely on cost, if I can help it. Sometimes, I can’t help it, and cost is the single most important factor. More than once, I have delayed or decided against essential healthcare due to cost. Honestly, sometimes finding out what care will cost has been a real deterrent for me. Finally, if my healthcare is provided by an appropriately qualified health professional, and eligible for a Medicare rebate, surely I should be able to rely on the fact that my care will be safe and high quality? If this is not true, then we have a more serious problem to address than the cost of care. There are all kinds of obvious and not-so-obvious players influencing healthcare costs. In my blog, "Let's Talk About Consent," I discuss the many complexities related to informed financial consent. Transparency in healthcare pricing information is about fairness and empowerment. Surely this is something we all want? What’s next? A first step could be that many more health professionals upload their fee data into this Cost Finder. Here's a few other ways to improve the current situation. 💡 Ask your health practitioners to re-design their fees information webpage with feedback from past patients. 💡 Write a friendly note to the info@ email address of health services you use, encouraging leaders to choose informed financial consent as the next quality improvement goal 💡 Take the time to reflect on recent experiences with friends, colleagues and clinicians alike. Check out the full article here (if you are a subscriber) or check the comments for my blog link. Natassia Chrysanthos Croakey Health Media The Guardian Yuting Zhang Anthony Scott Stephen Duckett #HealthcareCosts #InformedCare https://lnkd.in/gUTiZc7p

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⁉️What a coincidence, it’s Australian Made Week, this week. 💭My area of interest is Australian Made Medcial Devices, that can help patients all around the world live their best lives. We have a lot of clever people and great IP in Australia that we need to keep here. 👨‍⚖️On the 15th April 2024, Ed Husic MP announces the Medical Science Co-Investment plan to support medical tech innovation in Australia which is a positive step. 📣Ed Husic MP is very aware that Australia is great at generating IP but poor at commercialisation translation. 🤔He quotes “But too many great Australian ideas have left our shores only to return as an import from another country” 📚In preparation for my panel session this week at ausmedtech 2024, I have summarised the OECD countries that have a national regulation system that can assess new medical devices that are locally manufactured. Ed Husic MP - did you know that the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia is the only jurastiction (in the OECD) that does NOT have a significantly expedited and supportive process for assessing locally manufactured medical devices. This is a big reason that much of our IP is lost offshore and return as an import from another country. ⁉️Hmmm, Australian Med Tech innovation needs policy support from our regulator and reimbursement authority. Without this, we won’t stem our continued IP loss to international market. 🇦🇺 We need reform not to support Aussie Med Tech 🇦🇺

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📣 Important MHT Update: Change in Funded Brand of Oestradiol Patches in New Zealand PHARMAC has announced a shift in the funded oestradiol patches. From 1 July 2025, Estradiol TDP Mylan will replace Estradot as the funded option, becoming the only funded patch by 1 December 2025. While Mylan patches contain the same active ingredient as Estradot, individual responses to patch designs and adhesives can vary. If you have concerns about this transition or prefer alternatives like Estrogel or non-funded patches, speak to your GP or menopause specialist for guidance. We believe choice matters. Retaining both Estradot and Mylan would allow women to choose what works best for them during menopause. 💌 Have your say by emailing [email protected] and advocating for choice and equity in menopause care. Your voice can make a difference! 👉 Learn more about this change and your options in our latest blog. Link in bio. #Menopause #HormoneTherapy #MHT #TransdermalOestrogen #PHARMAC #HealthUpdate

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Hey blokes, looking to boost your health naturally? Discover the powerhouse benefits of hemp for Aussie men. From enhancing fitness to supporting heart health, hemp has got you covered. Dive into our latest blog to learn more! ✅ Read the full blog here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/gzHjsW7m #Hemp #Skincare #Australia

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🩸 Research Participation Opportunity: Can Medical Cannabis Treat The Symptoms of Period Pain? 🩸 Cannim are committed to supporting research and the management of chronic conditions, and invite eligible women to register your interest in participating in this important study conducted by the NICM Health Research Institute in collaboration with NICM Health Research Institute. Western Sydney University, and Natura Clinic. Dysmenorrhoea is the leading cause of pelvic pain in women, affecting 45-95% of menstruating women. Primary Dysmenorrhoea is period pain without a structural cause. It is characterised by cramping pain in the lower abdomen before or during the menstrual period in the absence of any pelvic pathology (such as endometriosis). Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, headache and light headedness, and medical cannabis may be one solution for managing these debilitating symptoms. The study aims to assess the potential effectiveness of medical cannabis in alleviating period pain over a 6-month duration. Enrol now: https://lnkd.in/e8YYgBBV or call the study team on 1300 413 379. #womenshealth #periodpain #research #dysmenorrhoea #periodpainresearch #medicalcannabis #plantmedicine #naturalhealthcare #plantmedicineresearch #chronicconditions #periods #womensbusiness #women #healthresearch #complementarymedicine #primarycare #generalpractice #healthcare #womenspain #genderpaingap #australianresearch

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On the Radar Issue 656 is now available at https://ow.ly/zolK50SvHP1 This issue includes items on a new Australian Passive AMR Surveillance (APAS) report, the Australia’s Health 2024 report, medications, digital health, transitions of care, COVID-19, and more. Also covered are the latest from Clinical Communiqué, International Journal for Quality in Health Care, BMJ Leader, and Health Affairs.

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Creating inclusive workplaces isn’t just good for people—it’s good for business. Here’s how CSIRO embraced a customised employment approach to fill a critical role while building a more inclusive team. 💼💡 Curious about how this could work for your business? Let’s chat! Book a free 15-minute discovery call: https://lnkd.in/gc4wFwWn https://lnkd.in/eKTqH_YF

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The TGA is aware of recent media reports regarding questionable medicinal cannabis products being supplied in Australia. The TGA would like to confirm that regardless of whether cannabis oil or cannabis flower medicine comes from overseas or here in Australia, it must comply with the relevant quality standard. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Order 93 (TGO 93) is the relevant standard that sets out the testing, labelling and manufacturing requirements for medicinal cannabis products. Products that do not meet these requirements may not be safe or deliver the intended therapeutic effect. Professor Anthony Lawler, head of the TGA, said “if these requirements are not met, the product might not contain the right amount of the cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD, or may be contaminated. Substandard products could have a serious impact on the health of patients”. The TGA strongly encourages consumers and healthcare practitioners to report poor quality medicinal cannabis products to the TGA. If the consumer or health professional sends the product to the TGA, it can be tested for compliance with TGO 93 requirements. Where poor quality is confirmed, the TGA has powers to recall that batch from the market to help keep Australians safe. Companies or individuals supplying products that do not meet TGO 93 requirements can be subject to fines or other penalties under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. These offence provisions apply to everyone in the supply chain, not just the importer or sponsor. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gK5UbNW5

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The TGA is aware of recent media reports regarding questionable medicinal cannabis products being supplied in Australia. The TGA would like to confirm that regardless of whether cannabis oil or cannabis flower medicine comes from overseas or here in Australia, it must comply with the relevant quality standard. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Order 93 (TGO 93) is the relevant standard that sets out the testing, labelling and manufacturing requirements for medicinal cannabis products. Products that do not meet these requirements may not be safe or deliver the intended therapeutic effect. Professor Anthony Lawler, head of the TGA, said “if these requirements are not met, the product might not contain the right amount of the cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD, or may be contaminated. Substandard products could have a serious impact on the health of patients”. The TGA strongly encourages consumers and healthcare practitioners to report poor quality medicinal cannabis products to the TGA. If the consumer or health professional sends the product to the TGA, it can be tested for compliance with TGO 93 requirements. Where poor quality is confirmed, the TGA has powers to recall that batch from the market to help keep Australians safe. Companies or individuals supplying products that do not meet TGO 93 requirements can be subject to fines or other penalties under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. These offence provisions apply to everyone in the supply chain, not just the importer or sponsor. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gK5UbNW5

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Biosecurity is a critical component of our food and health systems that works to prevent unwanted human, animal, and plant pests and diseases from moving to uninfected areas. Preventing and managing these biological threats without disrupting trade involves a deep understanding of the organisms and species involved and a delicate balance between supporting trade and managing risk. Each country's biosecurity programs are aimed at protecting their own jurisdiction. However you get much you get much better protection if all of your neighbors are also undertaking similar kinds of controls. Today Ash Cloud is partnering with CSIRO US to bring you Andy Sheppard ARCS PhD DIC FRES FTSE, the Chief Research Scientist Biosecurity at CSIRO where he leads efforts to protect Australia, it’s neighbours, and trading partners from plant, animal and human pests and disease threats. Building local and global partnerships to understand the biology of the threats across their native and invaded range so intervention opportnities can be implemented is a key part of his work. Andy is also the Co-Executive Director of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and CSIRO Catalysing Australia's Biosecurity Initiative. You can listen to our conversation here. Andy Sheppard ARCS PhD DIC FRES FTSE Kay Worthington, OLY Dawn Lillington Fiona Brown Joshua McIntosh Sian Stringer Adrian Turner Michelle Colgrave Skye Richmond J. Matthew Pryor Michael Robertson Jon Spaits Dave Henry Paul Wood AO Charles Brooke Hayden Montgomery Eric Davidson Richard Heath Michael Crowley Ermias Kebreab Aimable UWIZEYE, PhD Ruaraidh Petre Anneline Padayachee [PhD] Justin Webb Richard Eckard https://lnkd.in/gcDGGWdM

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Just like humans, corals rely on a host of good bacteria to help keep them healthy and, just like us, the balance between good and bad bacteria is often disrupted in times of stress. During environmental stress, a coral’s microbiome can change and become imbalanced. Probiotics may help by restoring the 'good' bacteria and re-balancing the microbiome.   The Life-Space Microbiome Institute Reef Probiotics Project is one of the ways the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program is  helping the Reef resist, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of climate change. We’re working to understand how the coral microbiome, which is surprisingly complex, impacts the health of stressed individuals. This is where probiotics can help. Early research has indicated that targeted probiotic treatments can help to enhance baby coral settlement, growth, and resistance to stress and disease. Want to know more? https://lnkd.in/gVDgekTZ 🐠 Australian Institute of Marine Science

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We're back on the couch with A/Prof Mike Armour (spoiler: we never left!) to discuss the pressing issues of period pain, dysmenorrhea, and the potential of medicinal cannabis in Australia. In this episode of The Bloomly Podcast, Associate Professor Mike Armour from the NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University shares his research insights on using medicinal cannabis to manage menstrual pain, a condition experienced by 90% of individuals who menstruate. Hosted by Tegan Scates 🎧 Podcast available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gGwfaRZt Current Dysmenorrhea Trials Recruiting Led by Associate Professor Mike Armour from NICM Health Research Institute, this six-month study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medicinal cannabis for treating period pain, bloating, back pain, and fatigue. Participants will have three blood tests to monitor liver and kidney function, attend free consultations, and receive discounted cannabis products if eligible. To qualify, you must be 20+, living in Australia, with regular periods, and no cannabis use in the past three months. You cannot be pregnant or planning pregnancy, and must agree not to drive if prescribed THC. Participation involves an initial assessment, blood tests, and completing questionnaires about your pain and treatment. Benefits include discounted medicinal cannabis products, free consultations, and contributing to future research. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e8YYgBBV #bloomlypodcast #periodpain #cannabisresearch #medicinalcannabis #womenshealth #australia

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New Laws for Vapes – AUSTRALIA #vape #vapeshop The Australian Government wants to protect young people from the harms of vaping and nicotine dependence. From 1 July 2024, nicotine vapes in Australia are regulated as therapeutic goods. This means they are only available at pharmacies to help people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. It is illegal for any other business, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vape product. https://lnkd.in/gPirssXA

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If you understand how your horse’s gastrointestinal tract works, you understand the benefits of using a Stockade slow feeder. #smallbusinessbigdreams #australianmade #horseproducts #alpacaproducts #supportlocalbusiness https://lnkd.in/gde4dNyR

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