For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Treat strep skin vigorously in children
Wednesday 20 July 2022, 03:55 AM

Public health professor Michael Baker is urging as much emphasis on skin infections in children as on sore throats [Image: Supplied]
Strep skin should be treated as vigorously as strep throat in young children to help prevent rheumatic fever, says public health academic Michael Bake
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
1. Baker MG, Gurney J, Moreland NJ et al. Risk factors for acute rheumatic fever: A case-control study. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific (online 4 July).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100508
2. Bennett J, Moreland NJ, Zhang J, et al. Risk factors for group A streptococcal pharyngitis and skin infections: A case control study. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific (online 4 July).