Accurate, balanced evidence-based information about medicines
Medicines Line
- How do consumers contact Medicine Line?
- What is Medicines Line?
- How Medicines Line can help you
- Medicines Line is not for emergencies, medical or second opinions
- Protecting your privacy
- Which organisations endorse Medicines Line?
- Give us your feedback
How do consumers contact Medicines Line?
- Call 1300 888 763 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local phone call ( calls from mobiles may cost more)
- Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm Eastern Standard Time (excluding public holidays)
What is Medicines Line?
Medicines Line provides consumers with independent information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary (herbal/’natural’/vitamin/mineral) medicines.
Medicines Line is a phone information service funded by the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) and operated by pharmacists at Mater Health Services Brisbane Limited. It provides independent, accurate and evidence-based information about medicines to consumers.
How Medicines Line can help you
Medicines Line will answer your questions and concerns. Information available includes:
- how a medicine works
- how to take medicines
- complementary medicines
- side effects
- interactions with other medicines
- medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- medicines for children
- storage
- medicines reported in the media.
Medicines Line can also:
- help you to get copies of the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets for your prescription medicines
- refer you to reliable services and support organisations, for example, to support organisations for people with your health condition
- promote Quality Use of Medicines and provide information that is independent, evidence-based, appropriate and safe
- encourage responsible use of medicines by increasing public awareness about medicines.
In addition to receiving information, callers will be encouraged to discuss the information with their own doctor or pharmacist, as they will be best placed to help interpret the medicines information.
With your permission, a copy of the information provided can be forwarded to your GP or pharmacist. However, if callers wish to remain anonymous they have the right to do so.
Medicines Line is not for emergencies, medical or second opinions
Medicines Line does not provide:
- Emergency services. If you have serious concerns about your medicines arising from an overdose or suspected poisoning, call the Poisons Information Centre, 24 hours a day on 131 126. For general emergencies call 000.
- Medical or second opinions on the medicines recommended by your health professional.
Medicines Line does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist
Protecting your privacy
Medicines Line is funded by the National Prescribing Service Limited. NPS is bound by and observes all obligations it may have under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 in respect of collection, storage and use of your personal information. Read the NPS privacy policy or ask one of our pharmacists.
Which organisations endorse Medicines Line?
Medicines Line is endorsed by:
- Arthritis Australia
- Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS)
- Australian Pensioners and Superannuants’ Federation (APSF)
- Carers’ Australia Health Consumers of Rural and Remote Australia (HCRRA)
- National Aboriginal Community Control Health Organisation (NACCHO)
- The National Heart Foundation of Australia
- Australian Healthcare Association
- Australian Nursing Federation
- Pharmacy Guild of Australia
- Royal College of Nursing Australia (RCNA)
- Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA)
- Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA)
- NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group (NSW TAG)
- Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Give us your feedback
NPS values your comments. Please fill out this feedback form.
