Welcome to the latest issue of Community Update, provided by NPS – Better choices, Better health. Community Update helps keep you informed about issues around medicines use as they relate to individuals and the community.

In this issue

• NPS gets a fresh new look!
• New Medicines Line number
• Common colds resources
• Latest edition of MedicinesTalk
• Using anti-inflammatory medicines safely
• Lively radio interviews with Dr John D’Arcy

NPS gets a fresh new look!

One 1 July the National Prescribing Service (NPS) officially changed names to become NPS – Better choices, Better health. The rebrand marks a new chapter in NPS’s history as it strives to become a household name and for all Australians to be medicinewise.

'The National Prescribing Service is no longer a broad enough descriptor for what we do. Our work goes beyond prescription medicines and we now address all medicines and quality use of medical tests,' NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

'We also want to become a household name by 2018 and for quality use of medicines to be widely understood and implemented. This fresh new look, and consistent branding across all our products and services will help us get there.'

Given the value we have built in our existing brand over the last 12 years, we have sought evolution rather than revolution. Our research has showed that while consumers aren’t very familiar with us, health professionals are and many already refer to us as NPS. It was important to retain the equity in our name with existing audiences while being clear and understandable to new audiences we are trying to reach.

Please update any references to NPS – Better choices, Better health in your organisation’s resources and website. For an electronic file of the new logo please contact Bernadette Broadbent or call 02 8217 8623.

New Medicines Line number

Medicines Line — the medicine information phone service for consumers — is now being delivered in collaboration with the National Healthcare Call Centre Network service, healthdirect Australia.

As part of the new collaboration Medicines Line has a new number: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424).

Under the new model, healthdirect Australia registered nurses will answer calls in the first instance. If the query is complex, they will triage calls during business hours to specialist medicine-information pharmacists at NPS or advise the caller to see their local pharmacist or GP.

The hours for Medicines Line remain Monday to Friday, 9am5pm (AEST) though calls outside these hours will still be answered by healthdirect Australia.

Common colds resources
	Winter has well and truly arrived, with many people suffering from colds and flu. Free brochures and posters with useful information about common colds can be ordered for your organisation from the NPS website.

Latest edition of MedicinesTalk
Edition 33 of MedicinesTalk is now available and features articles about: Medicine interactions Understanding the information on a prescription Common colds Vitamins and minerals
Community groups may reproduce, in whole or in part, material from MedicinesTalk provided that MedicinesTalk and NPS – Better choices, Better health as publisher, are acknowledged. You don't need to ask for permission. Take care to ensure that the overall message and accuracy is not affected by reproducing only part of the article.

Using anti-inflammatory medicines safely

A recent study from Denmark into the safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has received significant media attention but NPS is concerned some media reports may exaggerate the risk of using these products.

The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, is broadly consistent with existing information about these products and their cardiovascular effects.

'This is an interesting and complex study that deserves careful interpretation,' NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

'Importantly, it highlights that all medicines — including those with a long history of routine use — have the potential to cause harms as well as to provide benefits'.

The potential harms of NSAIDs include stomach ulcers and an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. At the same time, NSAIDs provide significant pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects for many people.

'It’s vital people realise that just because they can purchase something in a supermarket or petrol station doesn’t mean the product is without serious potential side effects,' Dr Weekes said. 'Similarly, people should understand this study focuses on increased risk, which is not to say that by taking these products you will experience an adverse event'.

'All medicines come with potential side effects and react differently in individuals, depending on what other medicines they may be taking. For this reason it’s important to tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking these medicines, even if you have been taking them for some time and feel fine'.

If you are taking an NSAID regularly for pain, talk to your doctor about the lowest effective dose and discuss any concerns you may have about side effects.

Lively radio interviews with Dr John D’Arcy

Each month NPS is interviewed by Dr John D’Arcy on Health Matters, a radio program that airs in regional areas across Australia on Sunday mornings. To listen to these short interviews go to our Health Matters page. You can also link back to this page so your communities and stakeholders can listen to them too.

Information from NPS — at no cost to you!

Order

NPS has many free resources for use by health professionals. To view and order from our extensive range of medicines information resources, go to the NPS online catalogue.

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