TAG is an independent, not-for-profit group of clinical pharmacologists, pharmacists and clinicians committed to the promotion of quality drug use in hospitals and the wider community. NSW TAG's fundamental goal is to promote quality use of medicines in NSW hospitals ie use of medicines which is judicious, appropriate, safe and efficacious. Our major strategy is to provide support for hospital Drug and Therapeutics Committees, as they influence prescribing and drug use within hospitals. We also have developed strategic links with relevant organisations to address the quality use of medicines across the hospital/community interface.

This concise overview of renal physiology introduces basic science principles and their relevance in the clinical expression of disease.

Each chapter incorporates a wealth of pedagogical aids including: study questions, learning objectives, and clinical examples. Also serves as a good review for the USMLE Step 1.

The RANZCP has developed Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) to provide mental health practitioners, consumers, and carers with evidence-based information about particular mental illnesses and appropriate treatment options. These have been developed with the support of both the Australian and New Zealand Governments.

The CPGs address six specific disorders or conditions that have considerable impact on psychiatric practice in Australia and New Zealand, as expressed from both the psychiatric profession and consumers. These are:

• anorexia nervosa;
• bipolar disorder;
• deliberate self harm (youth and adult);
• depression;
• panic disorder and agoraphobia; and
• schizophrenia.

For each disorder or condition, two Guidelines have been developed – one for consumers and carers, and one for mental health clinicians (summary and full versions). Links to the Guidelines are provided below.

The CPGs:

• systematically evaluate research evidence;
• were developed by representatives from a range of professional groups, as well as consumers;
• are specifically designed to assist, rather than dictate, clinical decision-making; and
• are to be applied on a case-by-case basis.

The Guidelines are current at the time of publication, but because they are evidence-based, they will inevitably become out of date as new research emerges regarding established and novel treatments. Therefore a crucial aspect of implementing the Guidelines will be ensuring that they are reviewed on a regular basis.