For consumers
(1300 633 424)
Mon-Fri | 9am-5pm AEST
Your call will be answered by healthdirect Australia
For health professionals
Find out the active ingredient and other brand names of your medicines with the NPS Medicine Name Finder
For a medicinewise Australia
Independent. Not-for-profit. Evidence based.
Site Tools
Quick Links
CQUM Program takes on Chronic ConditionsCQUM Program takes on Chronic Conditions
The new Chronic Conditions Program is being set up by the National Prescribing Service to address some of the medicines issues faced by people with chronic (long-term) conditions. The conditions to be targeted are type 2 diabetes, heart disease and chronic pain.
The three-year program is still in the planning stage, so the Program Officer, Kath Vaughan, is gathering information and ideas from many sources. Relevant articles and reports have been considered, a consultation has been held for members of chronic conditions groups, and researchers are holding discussions with consumers. This will ensure that the program incorporates as broad a spectrum of ideas and views as possible.
Some of the issues highlighted so far include difficulties with:
- buying and paying for medicines
- finding accurate and appropriate information
- managing the side effects, interactions and complex dosage regimens that can result from taking multiple medicines
- getting information about using prescription,over-the-counter, herbal and natural medicines simultaneously and the interactions between them
- communicating with health professionals,particularly when resolving differing opinions
- maintaining a sense of personal control over one’s condition and management.
If you have a chronic condition or care for someone with a chronic condition, Kath would love to hear about your experiences of managing medicines. In particular, your answers to the following questions would be much appreciated:
- Do you face any medicine-related problems other than those outlined above?
- What problems have you experienced when managing your medicines?
- What information would you like to have about your medicines that you don’t have already?
- What tools or skills would help you better manage your medicines?
- What would be the best way for you to be informed about any information, tools and resources developed by the project?
- If you could ask for one thing that would help you better manage your medicines, what would you ask for?
Please send your comments to Kath Vaughan at PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 or via email.
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2006-04-01 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.
