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Be medicinewise

Medicines information
for the cost of a local call.

Medicines Line
1300 MEDICINE
(1300 633 424)
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm AEST
Your call will be answered by healthdirect Australia.

Report a problem with
your medicine

Call the Adverse Medicine Events Line on 1300 134 237.

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Free consumer resources
Order or subscribe to free consumer print publications and e-alerts.

NPS health promotion campaigns NPS health promotion campaigns

Check out our campaigns to help you, your family and friends manage your medicines and health.

Generic medicines are an equal choice

Image for Generic medicines are an equal choice campaign. Click on image to find out more.On 27 October 2008, National Prescribing Service (NPS) launched its Generic medicines are an equal choice campaign, which aims to provide consumers with independent information so they can make an informed choice when it comes to generic medicines.

This multi-faceted campaign, which is being rolled out over 12 months, is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, includes an integrated series of television commercials, online resources and marketing, in-pharmacy advertising, and a tool kit for community pharmacy staff to support them when discussing generic medicines options with consumers.

It will include a range of community-based activities that will focus on seniors and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Get to know your medicines campaign — Targeting Chinese- and Italian-speaking seniors

The National Prescribing Service and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia work together to promote the safe and wise use of medicines with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

From September to December 2008, we ran a national campaign with Chinese- and Italian-speaking seniors (aged 50+) sharing information about the risks and benefits of medicine use and how to minimise risks and use medicines safely.

We also have a number of translated information resources to assist people in managing their medicines.


Find out more about this campaign.

Common colds need common sense

Common colds are caused by viruses and usually get better on their own in 7–10 days. Antibiotics work on bacteria, not the viruses which cause common colds. Antibiotics won't help a cold get better faster or stop it from getting worse, and they won't stop a cold from spreading to others. The best treatment is to rest, treat the symptoms, and see your doctor or pharmacist if it gets worse.

Find out more about the Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics campaign.

Past campaigns

In 2007, NPS ran a successful awareness campaign about quality use of medicines and generics as an equal choice.

The first stage of the quality use of medicines campaign, launched 6 August, raised awareness of the issues associated with medicines. The second stage of the campaign focused on generic medicines.

Television commercials which were screened in August 2007 encouraged viewers to think about their medicines usage, including complementary medicines, such as herbal remedies and vitamin supplements. The generic medicines television commercials screening in September focused on the key message ‘Generic medicines are an equal choice’. Both commercials ended with a prompt to speak to your doctor or pharmacist, call Medicines Line or go to the NPS website for more information.

Campaign newsletters were also sent out:

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