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Tobacco use continues to be a leading cause of death and morbidity globally. At the core of Australia's response to tobacco‐related harms is the National Tobacco Strategy which highlights a national collaborative framework to reduce prevalence, and associated health, social and economic impacts of tobacco use. A draft National Tobacco Strategy (2022–2030) has recently been released for consultation and as members of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs' Special Interest Group for Smoking Cessation Professionals we provide a commentary on key successes of the previous National Tobacco Strategy, and suggestions for improvement areas to strengthen Australia's policy response to tobacco and e‐cigarette‐related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here a rare but clinically important adverse reaction to anticonvulsant medication is presented in the form of an original case report. This report discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome ( AHS). AHS is estimated to occur in one in every 1000-10 000 exposures. However, its true incidence is unknown due to variable presentations. Given the frequent use of anticonvulsants and the potentially fatal complications of this adverse event, it is important all clinicians are aware of this presentation. Potential for cross-reactivity must be considered when selecting anticonvulsant drug therapy in a patient who has a history of AHS. Clinical pharmacists play a vital role in identifying potential adverse reactions and advising on their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2018 Australian Heart Failure (HF) guidelines strongly recommended commencing sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) in HF patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The uptake of SGLT-2is for HF patients with T2DM in our health service is unknown., Aims: To determine the adoption of the 2018 HF guidelines by assessing the temporal trends of SGLT-2is' usage in HF patients with T2DM at Metro South Health (MSH) hospitals, in South-East Queensland., Methods: Retrospective analysis of all HF patients (ejection fraction (EF) < 50%) with T2DM who were managed within MSH hospitals between June 2018 and June 2021., Results: A total of 666 patients met the inclusion criteria with 918 HF encounters. Mean age was 72 years and 71% were male (473/666). Mean EF was 30% (SD ± 11%), and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 48 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (SD ± 25). Fifty-four per cent (362/666) had contraindications to SGLT-2is. Among those without contraindications, there was a five-fold increase in the utility of SGLT-2is, 7% (2/29) before versus 38% (103/275) after implementation of the HF guidelines (P < 0.001). Patients on SGLT-2is were younger (64 years vs 69 years, P = 0.002) and had a lower number of HF hospitalisations (1.1 vs 2.1, P = 0.01)., Conclusions: During the study period, 54% of our HF patients with T2DM were not on SGLT-2is due to prescribing guidelines/limitations in the Australian context. We observed a five-fold significant increase in the uptake of SGLT-2is before and after implementation of HF guidelines among patients without contraindications to SGLT-2is. There were significantly fewer HF hospitalisations among patients on SGLT-2is compared to those without., (© 2022 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.)