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Community Update 20Community Update 20

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August 2009

Welcome to the latest issue of Community Update, provided by the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS). The NPS Community Update helps keep you informed about issues around medicines use as they relate to individuals and the community.

National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for quality use of medicines. We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and wellbeing. We are member-based and work in partnership with health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry and consumers. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

In this issue:

News

Links to other helpful NPS publications

Information from NPS — at no cost to you!

About the National Prescribing Service (NPS)

News

‘Get to know your medicines’ online videos

NPS has just released a series of short online videos about using medicines and managing your health. The videos include information about:
The videos were made for general viewing by consumers who would like to deepen their knowledge of health and medicines. The videos are also useful for health professionals, and can be used to foster conversations with patients about their medicines and lifestyle choices.

The videos can be viewed online or downloaded to watch later with a group.

NPS calendar wins Multicultural ‘Best Resource’ Award

The National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS), Federation of Ethnic Communities Council Australia (FECCA) and Co.As.It (Victoria) received a Multicultural Communication Award for the 2009 Italian ‘Get to know your medicines’ calendar.

The awards, hosted by NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, recognise area-health and non-government organisations that produce multilingual health resources.

The calendar was distributed to Italian seniors across Australia as part of the 2008 Get to know your medicines campaign. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities of the importance of understanding the benefits and risks of medicines and included tips on how to reduce the risks.

The risks of using medicines are heightened for CALD senior Australians, particularly those with low English language proficiency and literacy levels.

The medicines messages throughout the calendar sit alongside photographs of Italian migrants from the mid-1900s donated by the Italian Historical Society (Co.As.IT).

MedicinesTalk winter 2009: sleep, weight loss and giving up smoking

The winter edition of MedicinesTalk is now available. You can read about:

Did you know that you can use MedicinesTalk articles in your newsletters?

Simply reproduce the article in full and include acknowledgment of NPS and the relevant issue date: e.g. 'Reproduced with permission, National Prescribing Service Limited, MedicinesTalk <issue month and year>'.

Read the latest edition and find back issues on the MedicinesTalk web page. You can opt in to receive hard copies of future issues of MedicinesTalk and other free NPS information by visiting the NPS online catalogue.

NPS has a Wikipedia page

NPS engages with communities both online and offline. You may be interested to watch the Wikipedia page for the National Prescribing Service evolve or even contribute to the page! 

Wikipedia is a free, multilingual, web-based encyclopedia project that is written collaboratively by volunteers from all around the world. Anyone with internet access can make changes to Wikipedia articles by simply by clicking the ’edit this page’ tab. Why not take a look at the NPS Wikipedia page? The more people who edit the page, hopefully, the more comprehensive it will be.

First national census of medicines use in Australia (including natural therapies)

Australians’ use of medicines, including natural remedies, is the focus of a national census launched recently by the National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) and the University of Melbourne.

The National Census of Medicines Use in Australia focuses on how Australians use their medicines, including prescription, non-prescription and complementary medicines.

It is the first national census to survey what combinations of medicines people take, how people find information about medicines and whether they have experienced problems with their choices.

Warning about medicine abuse for recreational purposes 

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) warns against people playing Russian roulette with their health by taking medicines inappropriately.

‘I strongly advise anyone who has been, or is thinking about, using any medicine for recreational purposes to read the consumer medicine information leaflet and think about the ramifications it may have on their health’, NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

The warning comes after recent media reports about people mixing sleeping tablet, zolpidem (Stilnox), with other substances which failed to highlight the risks people are taking when they intentionally misuse pharmaceuticals.

‘All medicines have potential side effects and should only be used for the purpose for which they have been prescribed’, Dr Weekes said.

The consumer medicine information for Stilnox, which is written by the manufacturer, clearly states that Stilnox should not be taken if you have been drinking alcohol and it should not be given to people under the age of 18.

If you have questions speak to your pharmacist or GP.

Profile: Faces in the community — Dr Jo Mitchell 

This is the seventh article in this series profiling members of the NPS Community Quality Use of Medicines (CQUM) Working Group. The working group comprises consumers, health professionals, government and health promotion representatives, and provides strategic advice about reaching consumers to effectively share program information and messages about the best use of medicines.

Dr Jo Mitchell provides a health promotion perspective to the NPS CQUM Working Group. Part of this perspective includes supporting a community focus and evidence-based approaches to health promotion. She is currently the associate director, Research and Ethics Branch, for NSW Health. Previously, and for more than 20 years, Jo worked in population health services in South Eastern and South Western Sydney. 

‘For me, prevention of disease and the promotion of good health is an essential part of the health service continuum. Further, I believe that non-government organisations such as NPS have an important part to play in this work.’

She recently completed a doctorate in public health and the focus of Jo’s dissertation was equity in health promotion. ‘Given that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds suffer disproportional levels of ill-health, I am pleased that NPS is committed to working with vulnerable populations.’

Current NPS health professional topics: antibiotics, stroke and heartburn

NPS provides evidence-based information to health professionals to help them improve their prescribing practices and the use of medicines. Recently, NPS has been focusing on antibiotics and medicines for stroke and heartburn. Outlined below are some key facts about these topics that you may not already know.

Antibiotics — you don’t need them for colds

It’s the time of year when it seems everyone around you has a cough or cold … but if you catch it, how can you beat the dreaded lurgy?

Common colds and seasonal ‘flu (influenza) are caused by viruses. It takes around 7 to 10 days for the common cold virus to run its course and during this time people can expect to have a blocked or runny nose, sore throat and possible cough. The seasonal ‘flu virus is a different type of virus to common colds and symptoms may include fever and aches and pain.

Antibiotics have no effect on the infections caused by viruses so if you catch a cold or ‘flu antibiotics won’t help you get over your cold faster, won’t ease the symptoms, and won’t stop you passing the virus on to other people.

The simplest, most cost-effective cold remedies are rest and fluids.

If you have a headache, muscle pain or fever take paracetamol or ibuprofen (be careful if you are also taking a cough and cold preparation as these often already contain pain relief). If you feel you are not getting better, see your doctor.

Taking antibiotics when you don’t need to increases antibiotic resistance both in you, as an individual, and in the community.

The NPS website has more information about common colds.

Preventing strokes

Every year in Australia 60,000 new and recurrent strokes are reported, many of which could be avoided. Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain suddenly stops. This may be because the artery is blocked or damaged.

High blood pressure causes damage to blood vessel walls and is a primary risk factor for stroke — but it is something that can be monitored and lowered. It’s vital that people with high blood pressure or other stroke risk factors speak with their doctor about the most appropriate actions to reduce their risk.

Ways to get the maximum benefits from your medications:
  • Become more familiar with your medicines — active ingredient name, dosage and expiry dates.
  • If you are taking medication to prevent a recurrent stroke, learn about medicine interactions.
  • Talk to your doctor about how aspirin may help reduce your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
  • Many people with an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) take warfarin to prevent stroke. If you are taking warfarin ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about its safe use and wear a warfarin bracelet.
  • Talk to your doctor and pharmacists about your risk factors for bleeding before taking warfarin.

Managing reflux and heartburn

If you have gastrointestinal reflux or heartburn (dyspepsia) and are prescribed a type of medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), you may not need to continue taking it in the long-term. You can talk to your doctor about the possibility of stopping your PPI or using a lower dose to control your symptoms.

Lifestyle changes can also help ease symptoms. These include: making healthier food choices, giving up smoking, moderating your alcohol consumption and losing weight. If you have symptoms at night you may benefit from elevating the head of your bed.

If you have concerns about gastrointestinal reflux, or medicines that you are taking, speak to your doctor.

Australian Prescriber: CT scans, hepatitis B in migrant communities and medicine subsidies … plus more 

The August edition of Australian Prescriber is now available and covers the following topics:

    Funded by NPS, Australian Prescriber is an independent publication providing accessible information about medicines and therapeutics for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, students and those with a professional interest in health. 

    For full copies of these and other articles, or to search in the archive, visit www.australianprescriber.com.

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    Links to other helpful NPS publications

    Medicine Update — information about a selection of new medicines 

    The latest consumer publication from NPS, Medicine Update, provides information for people who are considering a new medicine, or have had a medicine suggested or prescribed for them and want to know more about it. It covers a selection of new medicines and medicines recently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

    When medicines are new, less is known about their expected benefits and possible harms than for medicines that have been available for some time. Medicine Update provides access to the available evidence to help people decide if a new medicine is right for them.

    Current topics include:

    Your support in making Medicine Update available to the public will help create greater awareness of the quality use of medicines. You could post a PDF version on your website and mention it in your newsletter. Medicine Update is currently only available online. However, if you would like a limited print run, we are happy to discuss your requirements.

    For a copy of the current editions, or to register to receive a copy, go to the Medicine Update web page.

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    Information from NPS — at no cost to you!

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    NPS has many other free resources for use by community groups and health professionals.

    To view and order NPS's extensive range of medicines information resources, go to NPS online catalogue.

    For permission to reprint articles email us.

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    NPS We know that the public wants to find information about medicines and conditions that is written in simple language. People also want to know how to manage their health and medicines, and to share these resources with others.

    If you would like to keep up-to-date about medicines, you (or your clients) can subscribe to an RSS feed or an e-alert and receive an email when new editions of Medicine Update and MedicinesTalk and other relevant materials become available.

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    Choose your article, read the latest edition or find back issues of MedicinesTalk or Medicine Update. To reproduce the article in full, simply include acknowledgment of NPS, and indicate the relevant issue and date. 

    For example, ‘Reproduced with permission, National Prescribing Service Limited, <name of publication> <issue month and year>.’
    That’s all! You’re done. 

    By reproducing our articles, you are helping us share quality information about medicines with the public. 

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    About the National Prescribing Service (NPS)

    NPS and partner organisations actively engage with communities to encourage a greater understanding of medicines, as well as if, when and how to use them to improve health and wellbeing. This includes:

    • information about how to select management options wisely
    • if medicines are considered necessary, how to choose suitable medicines
    • and how to store and use medicines safely and effectively.

    The NPS definition of medicines includes prescription, over-the-counter and herbal and natural therapies (such as vitamins and supplements). 

    NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation for quality use of medicines.

    We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and work in partnership with health professionals, consumers, government and the pharmaceutical industry. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

    The quality use of medicines is a central objective of Australia's National Medicines Policy. 

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    Date published: 2009-08-24 00:00:00

    Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

    References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.