Purple Pen Podcast

Join Professor Ian Meyers and Dr Geraldine Moses as they separate oral health fact from fiction in an engaging discussion on fluoride myths, dry mouth, toothpastes, and the products lining our pharmacy shelves. From why drinking more water may not be the only answer to managing xerostomia to the differences between stannous and sodium fluoride, they unpack the evidence behind everyday oral health...

In this episode, Kristin speaks with Professor Andrew White, ophthalmologist at Westmead Hospital and Head of the Centre for Vision Research, about how our understanding of glaucoma has evolved and why reducing the condition to an issue of eye pressure can oversimplify a complex neurodegenerative disease. Together they explore the relationship between intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage and v...

To celebrate a full decade on air, current hosts Kristin Xenos and Natalie Tasker are joined by the podcast's original hosts and creators, Jane Booth and Dan Guidone, for a special bonus episode. Together, the four of them look back at where it all began — the origins of Purple Pen Podcast, the philosophies that have shaped it over the years, and some of their favourite highlights along the way. W...

In this episode we celebrate our ten‑year podcast anniversary with guest Angus Thompson, a consulting clinical pharmacist and clinical editor who works across Southern Tasmania. We open with a quick roll call of the B‑group vitamins to set the scene before shifting into the main focus of the conversation: how Vitamin B6 became a ubiquitous ingredient in sleep products, menopause supplements, energ...

In this episode, Kristin sits down with Melbourne-based community pharmacist Anna Theophilos, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's inaugural Vaccination Ambassador, for a deep dive into the world of pharmacist-led injectable medicines administration. Anna brings her expertise on everything from injection technique to patient hesitancy, offering practical insight for pharmacists looking to bui...

In this episode, Professor Nicholas Lintzeris joins us to discuss where LAIB fits in contemporary opioid dependence treatment, how it compares with methadone and sublingual buprenorphine, and which patients are most likely to benefit. We also explore practical aspects of initiation, dosing, administration, management of adverse effects, and common misconceptions surrounding depot buprenorphine the...

In this episode, Dr Evan Tseros, Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck Surgeon, joins us to discuss the different types of otitis media, how to distinguish it from conditions such as otitis externa and eustachian tube dysfunction, and the assessment of otalgia, including important causes of referred ear pain. We also explore current management recommendations, the role of antibiotics, key red flags, and p...

PPP 194 – Sport and Exercise Pharmacy with Alison Hooper In this episode, pharmacist and former physiotherapist Alison Hooper joins us to discuss the expanding role of pharmacists in sport, exercise, and active living We cover: How pharmacists can support movement, exercise, and sport Injury management and common sports-related conditions Managing chronic conditions in active people Exercise-induc...

To align with NAIDOC week this year we have a special bonus episode. In this episode, we speak with Dr Jessica Buck about childhood cancer in First Nations people, genomics, and the importance of cultural safety in healthcare and research. A proud Kamilaroi woman, she is the Team Leader of the First Nations Childhood Cancer Program at The Kids Research Institute Australia — a first-of-its-kind ini...

Gastroenterologist and three-time guest Dr Kostas Brooks returns for a discussion on colonoscopy, bowel cancer screening, and best practice care in Australia. In this episode, we cover: Home bowel cancer screening The role of home-based faecal occult blood tests in early detection How the program works in practice What best practice looks like in screening and surveillance Bowel preparation for co...

In this episode of Myopia Progression and the Role of Atropine in Managing Myopia , we speak with Dr Loren Rose about one of the fastest growing challenges in children's eye health. We explore emmetropisation, the natural process by which a child's eyes develop towards clear vision, and what happens myopia. Dr Rose explains key concepts including hyperopic reserve, what a dioptre actually measures...

In this episode, we're joined by Dr Mariya Farah Kitson , Consultant Rheumatologist at the Osteoporosis Refracture Prevention Clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital , for a deep dive into the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. We explore why osteoporosis remains significantly underdiagnosed, current recommendations for bone mineral density (BMD) screening, and the ongoing osteoporosis care ga...

In this episode, dermatologist Dr Francis Lai joins us to unpack everything you need to know about scabies — what it is, how it spreads and why some communities are more at risk. We break down diagnosis, treatment options, common myths and what to expect during recovery. Practical, evidence‑based advice for clinicians, parents and anyone dealing with this incredibly itchy but entirely treatable co...

Kristin speaks with two pharmacists working in menopause care: Bo Kim, clinical pharmacist and founder of EmpowHer Menopause in Perth Jarrah Anderson, Clinical Lead at MedCast and member of the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance In this episode Types of menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) When different MHT options are used in perimenopause and menopause. Safety conversations Current thinking on pre...

This International Women's Day (IWD) we a focused on women's health. In this episode, Kristin speaks with Professor Susan Davis, AO, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, FAHMS, Head Monash University Women's Health Research Program, Endocrinologist, leading menopause researcher. Prof Davis is Director of the Women's Health Research Program in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Mel...

In this episode, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) pharmacists Clarissa Rentsch and Sheridan Rodda break down the essentials of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, from diagnosis and treatment options to the expanding role of monoclonal therapies. We explore Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, therapeutic drug monitoring and how pharmacists can optimise care for people living with IBD. A clear, practical co...

In this episode, I'm coming to you live from NAPSA Congress, the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association's week-long flagship event that brings together pharmacy students from across Australia. The Congress is packed with education sessions, workshops, social events, networking opportunities, and a vibrant trade exhibition, and this episode captures the energy of being right in the midd...

Listen in to our latest episode as Kristin chats with Josh Schiller, a Accredited Practising Dietitian, about navigating the world of nutritional supplements and vitamins in pharmacy practice. Josh breaks down which products he would recommend, the key interactions between diet, vitamins, and prescription medicines that you need to know about and the age old question, do you really need that multi...

We talk to Gary Bain (AKA the wound guy) about the integumentary system, the stages of wound healing, the advantages of good old fashioned clean water for wound cleaning, guiding principles of dressing changes for inflammatory phase vs proliferation phase, when to use different types of dressings e.g hydrocolloid, the benefits of a wound selfie to check progress, advantages of compression bandages...

We talked with, Dr Eleni Yiasemides (board-certified consultant Dermatologist specialist from Sydney) about *Inappropriate indications for topical corticosteroids (cortisones) like perioral dermatitis when less is usually more *The verdict on combination products corticosteroids + anti fungal creams and when to use them *Busting myths on topical corticosteroids like "apply sparingly" *The issue of...

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...

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...

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...

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. Anticoagulant patient care plan Anticoagulation Forum Advanci...

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 Australi...