Best Australian Prescriber Podcasts (2025)

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E192 - Update on long- and short-acting contraceptive methods 25:17

Play Pause

2d ago25:17

25:17

Laura Beaton speaks with Emma Mason, lecturer in sexual and reproductive health, about the latest changes in contraceptive products in Australia. They outline key practice points for selecting appropriate contraception and managing adverse effects, as well as some useful resources to support the prescribing of contraceptives. Read the full paper by…

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Game-changing cancer treatment could work in solid tumours 8:44

5d ago8:44

8:44

CAR T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy which can cure patients with aggressive blood cancers. However, until now, it hadn't been proven effective against solid tumours. Researchers have used gene editing techniques to arm CAR T-cells with extra proteins, to target these tumours. References Rewiring endogenous genes in CAR T cells for tumour-restric…

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Is Australia lagging behind in its approach to type 2 diabetes? 11:03

5d ago11:03

11:03

We might need an update to first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, according to some experts. In Australia metformin is the first-line treatment, with drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors considered a second-line approach if needed. They work by increasing glucose excretion in the urine. In the United States it’s common to use them as first-line treatme…

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Promising step forward in Parkinson's research 7:02

5d ago7:02

7:02

Years after pinpointing a faulty protein in the brains of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, researchers have made another breakthrough. The team at the University of Sydney was able to target this SOD1 protein with a drug treatment in mice. They observed a “dramatic” improvement in their motor skills. Now comes the tricky task of figurin…

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How a drug shortage is changing bladder cancer treatment 9:19

5d ago9:19

9:19

For close to 50 years, a type of immunotherapy called Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) therapy has been used to treat early-stage bladder cancer. It’s still the regimen of choice, but a new study has indicated that combining BCG with a chemotherapy drug might be better for some. It could also go some way to addressing a global shortage of BCG, becaus…

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Federal court case over alleged medicinal cannabis ads 7:32

12d ago7:32

7:32

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is taking Atlus, Mamamia and Newscorp's News Life Media to court, accusing them of advertising medicinal cannabis. Also for the first time in a decade, guidelines for the screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes have been updated. And more information revealed about the Monash IVF debacle. Reference…

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Are we ready for the lung cancer screening program? 9:25

12d ago9:25

9:25

A national lung cancer screening program begins in July, targeting high-risk people without symptoms. This includes people aged between 50 and 70 years who are currently smoking or have quit in the past 10 years. But could it be expanded in future to include people without a history of smoking? Guest/s Professor Alvin Ing, Respiratory Medicine at M…

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Thanks to AI, Paul can see the culprit of his dog's cancer 10:12

12d ago10:12

10:12

When available treatments weren't working on Paul’s dog Rosie, he decided to take matters into his own hands. As the owner of an AI company he was able to use software that enabled him to pinpoint a mutation that might be key to Rosie's cancer. He hopes it will lead to treatment that extends her life, but while experts in the field are impressed, t…

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Why syphilis testing requirements are changing 6:48

12d ago6:48

6:48

Guidelines have recently changed to recommend more regular testing for syphilis throughout pregnancy, regardless of sexual acitivity. Cases in the community are on the rise, and the consequences of an infection during pregnancy can be life-threatening to the baby. Guest/s Professor Marcus Chen, a specialist at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and res…

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Mailbag: Genetic carrier screening 2:01

12d ago2:01

2:01

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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E191 - Psoriasis an update on topical and systemic therapies 21:28

16d ago21:28

21:28

Jo Cheah chats to dermatologist Jonathan Chan about the latest therapies for psoriasis. Jonathan outlines the different treatments for mild to moderate and moderate to severe psoriasis, and when to refer patients to a non-GP specialist. They discuss the benefits and risks associated with biologic medicines for psoriasis, and considerations for pati…

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Delving into blood and plasma donation changes 10:56

19d ago10:56

10:56

Gay or bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men will be able to give blood or plasma under changes introduced by Lifeblood. Also, a report digs into the high fees and long wait times most people face when going to see a specialist doctor. References Lifeblood announces changes to sexual activity rules for blood and plasma donation S…

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Changing the brain to reduce pain and walk the Camino 11:27

19d ago11:27

11:27

The way a doctor talks to you about your osteoarthritis can go on to impact how much pain you feel as a result. A pilot program has offered people pain education alongside exercise therapy, to address unhelpful pain beliefs. It was hoped this education would help people push through initial pain flares and achieve their exercise goals. Guest/s Pete…

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Screening for genetic mutations in couples before they conceive 10:45

19d ago10:45

10:45

Couples can unknowingly be carriers for genetic conditions, even though there are tests available to reveal recessive traits before conceiving. Medicare covers genetic carrier screening for cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and fragile X syndrome (FXS). However advocates are calling for subsidies to cover more conditions, so paren…

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Losing scavengers like hyenas and vultures could harm human health 6:29

19d ago6:29

6:29

Scavenger species play a role in cleaning up towns, scavenging on the animal waste that people have thrown away. New research has shown apex scavengers, large and specialised scavengers, are declining because of human behaviour. And it's putting our health at risk. One reason is that more humans and livestock become exposed to carcases. The other i…

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Mailbag: Medicinal cannabis 4:10

19d ago4:10

4:10

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] References What's gone wrong with cannabis prescribing? Should we be worried about for-profit radiology?By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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E190 - Safe and effective use of vancomycin 24:22

23d ago24:22

24:22

Dhineli Perera talks to pharmacists Amy Legg and Tony Lai about their paper on the safe and effective use of vancomycin. They discuss the evolution of vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring, including trough concentrations, and demystify AUC monitoring. They cover current recommendations, including targets for drug efficacy and safety, and priority…

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Questions to ask after mix ups at Monash IVF 8:49

26d ago8:49

8:49

For the second time, Monash IVF has transferred the wrong embryo to a patient. It has led to the resignation of its CEO and prompted calls to tighten industry regulations. It also raises questions about the priorities of for-profit IVF clinics. Also, RFK Jr in the United States has made the unprecedented decision to overhaul the nation's vaccine ad…

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What's gone wrong with cannabis prescribing? 9:44

26d ago9:44

9:44

Health regulators are concerned it’s too easy for people to get their hands on medicinal cannabis. Regulators are concerned practitioners are putting profits over patient safety, with some writing more than 100 scripts a day. What does the evidence say about what medicinal cannabis is effective for, and some of the risks associated with using it? G…

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Weight loss drugs could help people with schizophrenia 8:31

26d ago8:31

8:31

Antipsychotic medications can be transformative for people with schizophrenia, but they come with side effects. Weight gain and metabolic dysfunction are common, and contribute to people with schizophrenia having a higher mortality than the rest of the population. A trial out of Queensland has looked at whether semaglutide might help address this w…

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Should we be worried about for-profit radiology? 7:45

26d ago7:45

7:45

A national audit of radiology practices has revealed that 3 in 5 private practices are owned by large for-profit corporations. It also found that four corporations own over half of all clinics that provide MRI. There are concerns growing corporate dominance raises questions about the future of affordable, high-quality care. Guest/s Dr Sean Docking,…

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Mailbag: Poo tests and cats 3:57

26d ago3:57

3:57

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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The new COVID strain infecting Australia 9:04

1M ago9:04

9:04

COVID cases are rising in Australia, with Victoria seeing a 55 per cent increase in the past week, and NSW following closely behind with a 29 per cent spike. The new NB.1.8.1 strain is sublineage of Omicron and descends from the JN1 variant, which is what the current vaccine protects against. Also, we take a look at a potential gap in measles vacci…

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Exercise could extend life after a colon cancer diagnosis 10:19

1M ago10:19

10:19

Something as simple as an exercise program post-chemotherapy could significantly increase the risk of survival in colon cancer. A 17-year randomised-controlled trial found a 37 per cent lower risk of death in patients who participated in the three-year program. This compared to a group that received exercise advice but didn't receive structured sup…

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A genetic variant could double dementia risk in men 10:04

1M ago10:04

10:04

If you’re a man carrying a common genetic variant, you could be twice as likely to develop dementia in your lifetime compared to women. An Australian study made the connection between risk and variants in the haemochromatosis gene, which is critical for regulating iron levels in the body. It’s not yet known why having two copies of this variant inc…

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Postpartum period longer than commonly thought 7:26

1M ago7:26

7:26

If you've given birth and still aren't feeling back to your old self physically, a new study could explain why. Researchers took blood tests up to 80 weeks postpartum, and found in about 50 per cent of cases values didn't return to baseline for between three months and a year. The study also revealed the ongoing effect of pregnancy complications li…

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Mailbag: More on osteoporosis 3:32

1M ago3:32

3:32

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Training GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD 13:33

1M ago13:33

13:33

GPs in NSW will soon be able to undertake further training to diagnose and treat kids and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Western Australia and Queensland have already implemented similar reforms to address the barriers to seeing a paediatrician or a psychiatrist. Also, fears the collapse of Australia's second-largest p…

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Your cognitive skills at age two might predict your ability in adulthood 8:42

1M ago8:42

8:42

We’ve known for some time that the first few years of childhood are critical when it comes to development. But a new study has highlighted just how critical the early years are for cognitive ability. It found cognitive ability at age 29 can be predicted by the genetic and environmental influences on you at age two, and even more so at age seven. Gu…

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An update on osteoporosis care 9:55

1M ago9:55

9:55

Many people don’t find out they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture from a small fall. However of those aged 50 years and over, 66 per cent do have osteopenia or osteoporosis, where bones become less dense and more fragile. An updated guideline has been published, including new information about drugs used to treat the condition. Guest/s…

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Scanxiety: Could scans in cancer remission do more harm than good? 5:44

1M ago5:44

5:44

People who are in remission from cancer have regular scans and tests as part of surveillance. It’s a period of huge anxiety for many – but is surveillance overdone and does it make a difference to how well you fare? Guest/s Professor Katy Bell, clinical epidemiologist in the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health References Routine Surveill…

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Mailbag: More complexity in prostate cancer testing 4:44

1M ago4:44

4:44

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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E189 - Noninvasive prenatal testing: an overview 15:21

1M ago15:21

15:21

Justin Coleman speaks with Alice Poulton, genetic counsellor, about noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to screen for aneuploidies such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Alice explains how NIPT differs from serum screening and ultrasound options, and when each option may be used. The conversation also covers advice on interpreting the NIPT results and…

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Donanemab approved to treat Alzheimer's disease 8:26

2M ago8:26

8:26

The TGA has approved a drug — donanemab — to treat Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. The drug has a small effect in slowing cognitive decline, however it isn't a cure and can have significant side effects. Also, the World Health Assembly adopts historic Pandemic Agreement with zero objections.…

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Real Norman vs deepfake Norman 3:24

2M ago3:24

3:24

For months, the Health Report has been getting emails about ads where 'Norman' was promoting unproven supplements. Scammers have been using Norman's voice and face to create AI videos to sell hundreds of dollars worth of supplements to trusting listeners. References The growing impact of deepfake health scams | 7.30 Deepfake videos of Norman Swan a…

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Why wasn't Joe Biden's aggressive prostate cancer detected? 6:39

2M ago6:39

6:39

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer. It follows the diagnosis of one of our own prominent politicians, Barnaby Joyce. There’s been a lot of changes lately in the guidelines for detecting and treating prostate cancer, but gaps remain. Guest/s Associate Professor Jeremy Grummet, director of ur…

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There's been a big CRISPR breakthrough. What does the future hold? 12:23

2M ago12:23

12:23

In a world first, a baby has been treated with a personalised gene-editing technique. KJ’s parents were given the choice of a liver transplant or a CRISPR therapy that nobody had ever received. The journey isn’t over, but KJ has improved. So what’s on the horizon for CRISPR therapies – will we continue to see personalised applications? Guest/s Prof…

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How much does sleep duration really matter? 7:14

2M ago7:14

7:14

The amount of sleep people get varies across cultures, but does that mean their health differs too? Researchers looked at countries with shorter average sleep durations to find out whether they suffered negative health outcomes – but they didn’t. Instead, people who stuck closer to their cultural norms around sleep – independent of sleep duration –…

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Mailbag: Getting enough iron 3:44

2M ago3:44

3:44

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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OCD genes uncovered — what does it change? 12:10

2M ago12:10

12:10

Australian researchers say they've identified about 250 genes linked to OCD, including 25 they believe to be causal. We take a look at how this study was conducted, and whether it means anything in the short-term for sufferers. Also, two new papers published in time for a major obesity conference. But can we trust the results?…

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The mystery surrounding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 9:47

2M ago9:47

9:47

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might affect up to 30 per cent of Australians. But it’s unlikely IBS is one condition with a single cause. In some cases the strong gut-brain connection might be the culprit. One researcher has been on a mission to find out more about what causes IBS, and what can be done about it. Guest/s Distinguished Laureate Profe…

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What a tick, a meat allergy and heart disease have in common 8:22

2M ago8:22

8:22

Imagine waking up one day and being allergic to meat. That’s a reality for some people who are unlucky enough to get bitten by a particular tick. Alpha-gal syndrome, otherwise known as a mammalian meat allergy, is not well known. However as research advances, a tricky connection between this allergy and heart disease is starting to emerge. Guest/s …