New medicines recently added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits scheme (PBS) for osteoporosis and pain relief are reviewed in the latest edition of Medicine Update.

Medicine Update is an online publication produced by National Prescribing Service, designed to be used by consumers who are considering new medicines. It aims to highlight important information about how the medicine is used in therapy, how it compares with other therapies, provides any important safety information and explains the conditions of its listing on the PBS.

In the December issue, Medicine Update considers the benefits of zoledronic acid (Aclasta), a once- a- day bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis and Tramadol (Durotram XR), a new once-a-day form of an existing pain relief medicine.

For more information, see the full articles available at www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicine_update