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6 NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS UPDATE CSIRO weighs in on Oxford COVID-19 trials As the race to find a vaccine for COVID-19 continues, researchers from the University of Oxford published a preliminary report in The Lancet showing promising results from phase 1 and 2 trials of its vaccine candidate, known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/csiro-weighs-in-on- oxford-covid-19-trials/ Chronic disease ignored during pandemic Australians are being urged not to ignore long-term risk of chronic disease during the pandemic, as a new report highlights overweight and obesity as a major risk factor affecting two in three Australian adults, and one in four children. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/chronic-disease-being- ignored-during-covid-19/ Risk of brain aneurysm for women smokers Women smokers are four times as likely as their non-smoking peers to harbour an unruptured aneurysm – a weakened bulging artery – in the brain, finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/risk-of-brain-aneurysm- for-women-smokers/ New resources available for managing pain During National Pain Week (27 July to 2 August), Chronic Pain Australia launched two new resources to help Australians understand and manage pain based on this year’s campaign theme: ‘Faces of pain’. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/new-resources- available-to-manage-pain/ Pain sufferers think less of pharmacist involvement The annual Chronic Pain Australia survey found steep worsening of how people in pain feel pharmacists help them manage their pain, compared with last year’s survey. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/relationships-de...heir- pharmacists/ World Hepatitis Day pushes ‘get talking’ theme World Hepatitis Day (July 28) was marked with Hepatitis Australia asking Australians to get behind the #LetsTalkHep campaign and start conversations about hepatitis. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/lets-talk-hep-on-world- hepatitis-day/ Vale RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Dr Harry Nespolon has died following a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/vale-racgp-president- dr-harry-nespolon/ Women’s health receives funding boost Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced a $2.55 million Medical Research Future Fund grant towards a Monash University-led project to develop and implement risk prediction tools for pregnant women at high risk of adverse lifestyle-related outcomes. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/womens-health- receives-funding-boost/ Vitamin D focus as world eyes COVID-19 options People all over the world are scrambling for the next thing that could help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19, with vitamin D being considered as a protection option. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/vitamin-d-the-next- thing-to-help-covid-19-patients/ Keys to preventing Alzheimer’s disease Keeping healthy and participating in mentally stimulating activities (such as reading) throughout early life could be the key to preventing Alzheimer’s disease. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/keys-to-preventing- alzheimers-disease/ Recognising fighters in mental health battle Mental illness is increasingly being discussed and accepted as a serious health issue that in some way or another will affect each of our lives. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/recognising-those- fighting-the-mental-health-battle/ Refreshingly low smoker statistics Smoking rates in Australia have fallen to a historic low of 11 per cent. This new data is welcomed by Cancer Council, which is calling for more of what works in tobacco control to further reduce rates to single figures. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/refreshingly-low- smoker-stats/ Lifeline welcomes JobKeeper extension The Australian government announced changes to the JobKeeper initiative, extending the support beyond September 2020, and adjusting payments so that essential support is provided to those in need. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/lifeline-welcomes- jobkeeper-extension/ SA Health to trial COVID-19 testing in pharmacies In a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, South Australia (SA) Health has announced a two-week pilot that will allow pharmacists to test patients for COVID-19. https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/sa-health-to-trial- covid-19-testing-in-community-pharmacies/ RETAIL PHARMACY • AUG 2020