Now available in an Australian Edition, this new textbook provides a comprehensive, clearly structured and well-illustrated guide to differential diagnosis of symptoms that are commonly seen by the community pharmacist. The regional nature of pharmacy practice means a locally-produced text is essential. Within this comprehensive guide the authors give an in-depth view of minor conditions commonly encountered in community pharmacies in Australia. Organised mainly by body system, each chapter begins with a system overview and a brief guide to history taking. Then each symptom or condition is examined according to background, prevalence, aetiology, differential diagnosis, clinical features, conditions to eliminate, and the evidence base for over-the-counter medication. The book also contains unique features such as algorithms to aid in diagnosis, summary tables on what questions should be asked and why, and lists of further reading and useful websites.

Key Features

• Comprehensively covers the most common conditions seen in community pharmacies
• Gives the evidence base for over-the-counter (OTC) recommendations for each condition
• Provides symptom-specific questions to ask patients for the purposes of differential diagnosis and determining if referral is needed.
• Discusses prevalence and epidemiology of each condition
• Includes algorithms to assist practitioners with differential diagnosis
• Practical prescribing summary tables cover key issues to be aware of when recommending certain products
• Hints and tips boxes give practical advice on product use
• Self-assessment sections with MCQs, review questions and case studies test factual recall and applied knowledge
• Full-colour throughout, with colour photographs of important conditions

New Features

• All conditions, products and recommendations have been reviewed and rewritten as necessary to reflect local drug scheduling and clinical practice within the Australasian region.
• Issues and conditions of local interest have been added, including treatment of bites and stings, weight loss, and expanded information on sunburn.
• Sources of evidence have been updated to reflect the Australian evidence base from sources such as the National Prescribing Service, Australian Prescriber, Australian Medicines Handbook, the Therapeutic Guidelines and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia guidelines.
• Local prevalence and epidemiological details have been included where possible.