Late last year, we asked a sample of organisations on our mailing list what they thought about MedicinesTalk and how they use it. We’re pleased to say that the feedback was positive! Representatives from the organisations told us they use MedicinesTalk in many ways, but were keen to hear about other ways they might use it for the benefit of their members and clients. Here are some of their ideas, plus a few of our own.

Use in your group

Many groups told us they use MedicinesTalk in discussions with members, staff and clients, in training sessions, in peer education and support group discussions, in waiting areas and so on. Some organisations use the whole MedicinesTalk, while others use just those articles that are relevant to their members or clients.

You don’t need to ask for permission

to reprint MedicinesTalk articles.

Pass on to others

Some groups told us they pass on spare copies of MedicinesTalk to other groups and individuals. For example, one group that meets in a church hall leaves their spare copies out for other groups that use the hall. Some groups leave copies in the local GP’s waiting room or at their local pharmacist. One person in a small rural town leaves copies at the general store, as it’s the town’s central information point.

Several people said they take MedicinesTalk home to family or friends to read. Members of one multicultural group take home copies and get their grandchildren to read the articles to them.

Reprint articles

Many organisations reprint articles that are particularly relevant to members in their own newsletters. MedicinesTalk articles can be copied from the National Prescribing Service website, so you don’t have to retype them. To do this, find the article you want at www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicines_talk, then select (highlight) the text, and copy and paste it into your document.

lternatively, contact the National Prescribing Service, and ask for a Word document version of the article you want.

You don’t have to ask for permission to reprint articles, but please acknowledge MedicinesTalk and the National Prescribing Service. For example, ‘Reproduced with permission, National Prescribing Service, MedicinesTalk, Spring 2009’.

Read out articles

At least one community radio station reads out MedicinesTalk articles to listeners on the air. This is a really good idea, as it reaches lots of people, including people with vision problems. Another organisation said they read out MedicinesTalk articles in their meetings.

Make MedicinesTalk a favourite

If you use the internet, add the MedicinesTalk website page to your list of ‘Favourites’, so you can find it quickly. 

Subscribe to print version

Go to www.nps.org.au/ordernow, and scroll down to ‘MedicinesTalk’. Put the number of copies you want in the box in the ‘Subscribe to print version’ column, and give your details below. Otherwise, ring National Prescribing Service on 02 8217 8700. MedicinesTalk will be posted to you four times a year.

Subscribe to e-alert

To save paper, you can receive an email (e-alert) that tells you that a new edition of MedicinesTalk has been released, and gives you a link to the internet version. 

Subscribe as described, but click on the box in the ‘Subscribe to e-alert’ column.

To change your paper copy subscription to an e-alert, ring the National Prescribing Service on 02 8217 8700.

MedicinesTalk on the internet

To find current and previous editions, or to look for articles on particular topics, go here.