PPP 181 - ABC of Antibiotics
Purple Pen Podcast
We’re marking World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week 2025 with an episode dedicated entirely to antibiotics, the medicines we rely on every day and the ones we need to protect. We’re joined by Caroline Chen, a senior antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist and project officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, for a deep dive into all things antibiotics. Together, we walk through the ABCs of commonly used antibiotics, or more accurately the B through T, including beta-lactams, clindamycin, doxycycline, macrolides, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, quinolones, rifampicin and...
info_outline
PPP 180 - GLP-1 Agonist Update
Purple Pen Podcast
Listen in as Kristin chats with Dr Angela Kwong, a Sydney-based General Practitioner with a special interest in medically supervised weight management, about the use of GLP-1 agonists. Dr Kwong serves as the NSW State Lead for the RACGP Specific Interests Group in Obesity Management and works closely with colleagues across disciplines to improve care for people living with obesity. She is also the founder of Enlighten Me, a multidisciplinary online program that provides evidence-based, GP-led support for patients seeking weight management. The program has been recognised for its contribution...
info_outline
PPP 179 - Rhinitis with Prof Pete Smith
Purple Pen Podcast
We talk with Prof Pete Smith, an allergist from Queensland about Why rhinitis shouldn’t be sneezed at (sorry we had to), including the consequences of allergic rhinitis being un/undertreated The recommended method to use intranasal sprays - hint “if you can taste it, you’re wasting it” How to discuss concerns patients might have about intranasal corticosteroids The long list of potential triggers of nonallergic rhinitis What are the red flag symptoms of rhinitis? Some further reading: Nonallergic Rhinopathy: A Comprehensive Review of Classification, Diagnosis, and...
info_outline
PPP 178 - Anticoagulation Stewardship with Hadley Bortz and Julianne Chong
Purple Pen Podcast
Listen in to round out our conversation about anticoagulation, by hearing from two Anticoagulation Stewardship Pharmacists - Hadley Bortz from the Alfred in Melbourne and Julianne Chong from Concord Hospital. Find out more about ACS programs in Australia and overseas and the benefits that these programs can bring to your health service.
info_outline
PPP 177 - Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation with Prof Prash Sanders and Jarrah Anderson
Purple Pen Podcast
Join us as we talk with Prof Prash Sanders about the role of anticoagulation for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), learn when patients should be screened for AF, how to perform a stroke risk assessment and strategies to reduce the risk of bleeding. This podcast is in collaboration with Medcast and the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, a provider of health professional education in Australia focused on the quality use of medicines. Check out their resources . Prof Prash Sanders is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist with a focus on heart rhythm disorders, particularly atrial...
info_outline
PPP 176 - Opiate Emergencies with Emily Turkovic
Purple Pen Podcast
Naloxone has been available in Australia without prescription since 2022 (after pilot programs through 2019-2021, ). Join us as Kristin and Nat talk naloxone with Pharmacist Emily Turkovic. Emily shares her personal story and why she is passionate about ensuring that naloxone is widely available in our community. Listen in for tips and tricks on how to broach the subject with patients and ways to de-stigmatise naloxone. Resources: Free Take Home Naloxone Find out more about the Take Home Naloxone program .
info_outline
PPP 175 - Travel Health with Dr Ian Heslop
Purple Pen Podcast
Listen in as Kristin chats with Dr Ian Heslop about the health care needs of travellers, covering topics such as traveller’s diarrhoea, altitude sickness and more. Listen until the end to find out what Ian brings in his travel medicine kit! Ian is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle and has a strong background in Hospital Pharmacy and in academia. He was involved in the establishment of the Bachelor of Pharmacy program at James Cook University in Townsville - and whilst teaching at JCU, he completed his doctorate in travel health.
info_outline
PPP 174 - Intellectual Disability with Chelsea Felkai
Purple Pen Podcast
Listen in to our latest episode as Kristin chats with Chelsea Felkai about being a healthcare provider for patients with intellectual disability. Chelsea is a community pharmacist who is completing her PhD at the University of Newcastle. You can find resources relating to the provision of inclusive healthcare and the that Chelsea refers to in the podcast . Other resources include: PSA Medicine safety: disability care report Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care - Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 - NDIS - NDIS – Consumables -...
info_outline
PPP 173 - Acne with A/Prof Deshan Sebaratnam
Purple Pen Podcast
Join Natalie as she chats with Dermatologist A/Prof Deshan Sebaratnam about the management of acne. Listen in as they chat about over the counter treatment options, what may have changed in acne management and the effectiveness of isotretenoin. A/Prof Sebaratnam, in addition to his private practice, as a specialist dermatologist at Liverpool and Dubbo Base Hospitals in NSW.
info_outline
PPP 172 - Tuberculosis (TB) with Dr Sayontonee Ghosh
Purple Pen Podcast
Tune in as Dr Sayontonee Ghosh gives an overview of TB including: Transmission Diagnosis Screening Symptoms Treatment options
info_outlineListen in as Kristin chats with Dr Angela Kwong, a Sydney-based General Practitioner with a special interest in medically supervised weight management, about the use of GLP-1 agonists.
Dr Kwong serves as the NSW State Lead for the RACGP Specific Interests Group in Obesity Management and works closely with colleagues across disciplines to improve care for people living with obesity. She is also the founder of Enlighten Me, a multidisciplinary online program that provides evidence-based, GP-led support for patients seeking weight management. The program has been recognised for its contribution to patient education and its focus on accessible, stigma-free care.
Additional GLP-1 reading:
1. GLP-1 agonist role in renal protection - FLOW Trial
1a. Digestible summary of the FLOW trial
2. Current ANZCA guidelines for anaesthesia / sedation in patients using GLP-1 agonists (May 2025)
3. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity