Australian Medical Association

AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton says the AMA with other organisations are lobbying the Government to introduce new taxes on alcohol based on volume not price. He says taxes do modify behaviour as price does effect people's behaviour and spending.

Dr Hambleton talks about the symptoms of toxic waste after road workers potentially uncovered some on the Pacific Highway. He says exposure can be measured.

Dr Hambleton discusses the AMAs Position Statement on regional/rural initiatives for attracting doctors and medical students to live and work in rural Australia.

Dr Hambleton says the Government is making the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records too complex, with too much red tape. He said the system could save lives, but highlights that no money has been allocated in Medicare to cover the new service.

Dr Hambleton is supporting calls for a rethink to tackle the illegal drug trade. He says we all know young people have a range of illicit drugs available to them and it is time to examine the issues surrounding illegal drugs.

Dr Hambleton says medical certificates are legal documents, and that it is time that the doctor who wrote the certificate for Labor MP Craig Thomson should be respected after the Opposition said his medical certificate was too vague. Dr Hambleton says that for a medical certificate, a diagnosis is not usually required.

Dr Hambleton discusses the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council's investigation into homoeopathy. He says plausible scientific backing is needed to inform consumers about the real benefits of some of the therapies.

Dr Hambleton says the Government's plan to allow psychologists and pharmacists to dispense the contraceptive pill and cholesterol lowering drugs to patients without a current prescription from their GP is the wrong approach. He says GP's have the option of writing a long term prescription if they feel the person will need it for an extended amount of time.

Dr Hambleton says people taking cholesterol lowering drugs should not be concerned after US researchers found cholesterol lowering drugs can have serious side effects. Dr Hambleton says the benefits of the drugs far outweigh the risks and if patients are concerned they should speak to their doctor.

Dr Hambleton discussed a study commissioned by the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia indicating that fish oil could save the economy more than $4 billion. He says that what 'fish oil' is needs to be clarified in terms of quality, comparing manufacturers, and quality control standards before being put on the PBS.

Dr Hambleton discusses how widely used painkillers Di-Gesic, Doloxene, Paradex and Capadex were to be banned by the TGA from 1 March, but drug companies have won a legal stay against the ban. He says the pain killers were banned because they can trigger heart problems.

Dr Hambleton talks about this year's flu vaccine and says it is important to maintain confidence in the vaccination program. He says that the TGA looked at all the evidence available about the influenza vaccine and concluded that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in those older than 10.

Dr Hambleton talks about why some men considering a vasectomy find it a sensitive topic to discuss. Dr Hambleton discusses the procedure and effects of the operation.

Dr Hambleton talks about comments made by the former director of the Professional Services Review Panel Dr Tony Webber saying Medicare costs $3 billion a year and is open to rorts by unethical doctors. He says a lot of doctors are looking after their patients and they care for them.

Dr Hambleton talks about the AMA's submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas. Dr Hambleton says the submission considers a range of factors needs to be considered in order to encourage doctors to remain in rural areas

Dr Hambleton talks about research that has found taking an aspirin everyday can lead to an increase in non-trivial bleeding. He says that those who have had a heart attack or stroke can benefit from an aspirin, but recommends people talk with their doctors if they are taking aspirin daily to discuss the risks.

Dr Hambleton says that most people know what the costs of their medical needs will be and talks about the need to have transparent insurance policies for everyone. Dr Hambleton says that health insurance companies cover so many products it can be very confusing.

Dr Hambleton says women in Australia who have had silicone breast implants shouldn't panic but it's advisable they contact their surgeon. He says that Australian and British authorities are working together to put together advice but French authorities are already advising that they should be removed.

Dr Hambleton says that there is an increased demand on mental health services every Christmas. Dr Hambleton lists ways to approach people with depression and explains signs to look out for.

Dr Hambleton discusses the Federal Government's price cuts to commonly-prescribed drugs introduced from April 2012. He says the Government will see most of the benefits not consumers.