Growth in expenditure on high cost drugs in Australia

The paper provides an overview of the expenditure of high cost drugs in Australia and examines the average annual growth of these programs. The outlook for expenditure on high cost medicines and possible policy responses is also considered. Executive summary • Despite an overall slowing of growth in expenditure on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the section 100 (s 100) program is showing rapid rates of growth. • The s 100 program provides pharmaceuticals to those living in isolated areas and for the treatment of  complex conditions that require specialist monitoring. • A number of programs make up the s 100 program.  Those with high growth rates include : • Expenditure on the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy  is the fastest growing s 100 program with an average annual growth rate of 62.61 % from 2009–10 to 2013–14 . • The Highly Specialised Drugs Program grew at a rate of 6.38 % for the same period. • Although not part of the PBS, the Life Saving Drugs Programme provides access to a limited number of expensive drugs for rare diseases. This programme  grew at a rate of 12.68 % from 2009–10 to 2013–14 . • The s 100 and LSD P programs provide access to high cost drugs to treat a range of diseases including cancers, HIV /AIDS, Alzheimer’s diseases and a number of rare and life threatening conditions. Patients are protected  from the true cost of these drugs. • Given predictions about  the  increasing rates  of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, it is likely  that expenditure on these medicines is likely to continue to rise as more people require treatment.  As a general rule, new drugs are usually more expensive than existing treatments. • One of the objectives of the National Medicines Policy is timely access to medicines that Australians need,  and at cost the community and individuals can afford. Examination of  the expenditure on high cost drugs is warranted to ensure that this policy objective is met

The Role of Green Leafy Plants in Atmospheric Chemistry: Volatile Emissions and Secondary Organic Aerosol

Aerosols play important roles in atmospheric and environmental processes. Not only do they impact human health, they also affect visibility and climate. Despite recent advances made to under their sources and fate, there remains a limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to the formation of aerosols and their ultimate fate in the atmosphere. These knowledge gaps provide the crux of the research reported herein, which has focused on identifying novel sources of atmospheric aerosol, characterizing its physical and optical properties, and rationalizing these properties using an in-depth knowledge of the molecular level mechanisms that led to its formation. Upon mowing, turfgrasses emit large amounts of green leaf volatiles which can then be oxidized by ozone to form SOA. Overall, the mowing of lawns has the potential to contribute nearly 50 µg SOA per square meter of lawn mowed. This SOA contribution is on the same order of magnitude as other predominant SOA sources (isoprene, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes). Turfgrasses represent an interesting and potentially meaningful SOA source because they contribute to SOA and also because they cover large land areas in close proximity to oxidant sources. Another related SOA precursor is sugarcane, which is in the same family as turfgrass and is among the largest agricultural crops worldwide. Globally, the ozonolysis of sugarcane has the potential to contribute 16 Mg SOA to the atmosphere, compared to global estimates of SOA loading that range from 12-70 Tg SOA. In order to fully understand the role of atmospheric SOA on the radiative budget (and therefore climate), it is also important to understand its optical properties; its ability to absorb vs scatter light. Turfgrass and sugarcane produced SOA that was weakly absorbing while its scatter efficiency was wavelength and size-dependent. Interestingly, SOA formed under both dry (10% RH) and wet (70% RH) conditions had the same bulk chemical properties (O:C), yet significantly different optical properties, which was attributed to differences in molecular-level composition. The work presented herein represents a unique, inclusive study of SOA precursors. A complete understanding of the chemistry leading to SOA formation is used to understand its physical and optical properties and evaluate these large-scale effects of SOA from these precursors

A Short History of Film and Censorship in Mainland China

This paper discusses the history of film in Mainland China and the censorship that followed and its effects on Mainland Chinese media and filmmakers today

Elastic Learning Tools

TEACHING MATERIAL RESILIENCE. Essay for the Cultures of Resilience book

Exploring Warmth and Conflict in Parent-Adolescent Relationships

Family systems theory (Cox & Paley, 1997) is a framework that can be used to understand the quality of parent-adolescent relationships and the interrelatedness of relationships within a family system.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/fsrs2018/1000/thumbnail.jp

Aflatoxin Contamination and Consumer Valuation of Maize in Western Kenya

Crop Production/Industries,

Economic and fiscal impact study: Colorado State University

Includes bibliographical references

Orientation strategies that prepare postgraduate students for online study

Introduction/background: Despite the increasing popularity of online university courses, high non-completion rates are common. An effective orientation program can assist students to prepare for online study. Aim/objectives: The focus of this research was to gain an understanding of students' perceptions of: (i) the skills needed for online study; (ii) which skills HPE students feel least confident about at the commencement of their course; and (iii) orientation activities and resources that students find useful when preparing for online study. Methods: A mixed methods study, including online surveys and telephone interviews, was used. Results: Students were confident about their computer skills but were less confident about using the learning management system, in particular, the discussion board and webinar tools. Rusty academic skills, such as writing and referencing, were a challenge for many. Responses to suggested orientation sessions indicate students desire a wide variety of activities and resources to help them transition to online learning including: study tips from experienced online learners; staying motivated in off-campus study, and tips for organising and managing files. Discussion and Conclusions: Orientation activities should be delivered in an incremental way so students can progress at their own pace through a structured, but flexible, program that does not overwhelm the novice. Self-evaluation of the skills required for postgraduate online study, flexibility to tailor the orientation program to suit personal learning needs, and time to practise required skills, should underpin the orientation program. Lastly, opportunities for students to connect with other students and faculty should be provided

Differences in home food availability of high- and low-fat foods after a behavioral weight control program are regional not racial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Few studies, if any, have examined the impact of a weight control program on the home food environment in a diverse sample of adults. Understanding and changing the availability of certain foods in the home and food storage practices may be important for creating healthier home food environments and supporting effective weight management.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Overweight adults (n = 90; 27% African American) enrolled in a 6-month behavioral weight loss program in Vermont and Arkansas. Participants were weighed and completed measures of household food availability and food storage practices at baseline and post-treatment. We examined baseline differences and changes in high-fat food availability, low-fat food availability and the storage of foods in easily visible locations, overall and by race (African American or white participants) and region (Arkansas or Vermont).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At post-treatment, the sample as a whole reported storing significantly fewer foods in visible locations around the house (-0.5 ± 2.3 foods), with no significant group differences. Both Arkansas African Americans (-1.8 ± 2.4 foods) and Arkansas white participants (-1.8 ± 2.6 foods) reported significantly greater reductions in the mean number of high-fat food items available in their homes post-treatment compared to Vermont white participants (-0.5 ± 1.3 foods), likely reflecting fewer high-fat foods reported in Vermont households at baseline. Arkansas African Americans lost significantly less weight (-3.6 ± 4.1 kg) than Vermont white participants (-8.3 ± 6.8 kg), while Arkansas white participants did not differ significantly from either group in weight loss (-6.2 ± 6.0 kg). However, home food environment changes were not associated with weight changes in this study.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Understanding the home food environment and how best to measure it may be useful for both obesity treatment and understanding patterns of obesity prevalence and health disparity.</p