Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Syphilis surge among Australian women, GP quits pharmacy prescribing group, UK specialty training priority extended

1. 01

   Syphilis rate among Australian women rises 167% over decade

   The syphilis diagnosis rate among Australian women rose 167% over the past decade, according to new Kirby Institute analysis. Australia recorded 5986 syphilis diagnoses in 2025, with 78% among men, but rates increased much faster among women. Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital syphilis, which can have lifelong or fatal consequences for infants. Syphilis was declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance last year by Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were diagnosed with syphilis at six times the overall population rate in 2025.

   via RACGP newsGP

2. 02

   GP adviser quits NSW pharmacist prescribing group over safety concerns

   Rural generalist and educator Dr David Leaf resigned from the NSW Health Expert Advisory Group for Expanded Scope Community Pharmacy Services, saying medical and safety concerns were being ignored. Dr Leaf said evidence-based opinions were dismissed or not recorded, and described pharmacist training for ear infections and the trial of prescribing UTI antibiotics for women as inadequate or deeply flawed. NSW proposals would expand pharmacist treatment to chronic and complex conditions including hypertension, wound care, ear infections and lung disorders, alongside previously announced prescribing for contraceptives and uncomplicated UTIs. RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman called the resignation a red flag and said the expansion was proceeding despite unresolved concerns about patient safety and consultation.

   via RACGP newsGP · also covered by The Medical Republic

3. 03

   UK retains immigration status proxy for 2027 specialty recruitment

   The UK government will continue using immigration status as a proxy for significant NHS experience in the 2027 specialty training application cycle. New regulations extend the interim arrangements introduced in 2026 for another year while the policy undergoes further analysis and impact assessments. The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act, which became law on 5 March 2026, was introduced to prioritise UK graduates over international medical graduates amid high competition for postgraduate training places. Priority also covers graduates from Ireland and specified European countries, and people who have completed or are completing the UK foundation programme or the relevant previous stage of UK specialty training.

   via BMJ

4. 04

   FDA approves first acetaminophen–naproxen sodium combination pill

   The US Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill combining acetaminophen with naproxen sodium. Naproxen sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The source provided no further details about the product, indication or approval conditions.

   via JAMA

5. 05

   UK pledges scalable mental health support for future pandemics

   The UK Government has committed to rolling out a scalable programme of additional psychological support for NHS workers during any future pandemic. The commitment formed part of its response to module 3 of the UK Covid-19 inquiry. Inquiry chair Heather Hallett said the NHS had teetered on the brink of collapse and that healthcare staff worked under intolerable pressure for months. The inquiry found healthcare workers’ mental health was severely affected, with many showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout common.

   via BMJ

6. 06

   NSW ceremony welcomes 284 new RACGP Fellows

   A major New South Wales ceremony recognised 276 new RACGP Fellows, one Fellow in Advanced Rural Generalism and seven Rural Generalist Fellows. RACGP leaders said the group would work across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote settings, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Many were expected to practise in rural and regional communities, supervise future GPs and take on healthcare leadership roles. The ceremony followed a record 1772 doctors joining the Australian General Practice Training program in 2026, almost 19% more than the previous record cohort in 2025. Of this year’s intake, 841 entered the rural training pathway, a 44.2% increase from 2025, and will spend all three training years in regional, rural or remote communities.

   via RACGP newsGP

MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.