Comprehensive evidence-based peer-reviewed source of drug information including therapeutic guidelines and off-label uses.

Independent provider

Print published annually, subscribers have access to frequent online updates
Online frequent updates

Drug summaries with links to Product Information and Consumer Medicine Information. Includes monographs on complementary medicines.

Independent non-government provider

Online monographs updated monthly or more frequently if a major safety change

Clinical guidelines on the safest and most effective use of vaccines. Includes guidance on vaccination for special risk groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, international travel, children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Australian Government provider

Print updated every few years
Website updated periodically as required
E- alert for updates

Concise drug summaries with practice points, counselling information, comparative drug information tables, prescribing guides and tools (e.g. ideal weight calculation).

Independent non-government provider

Print updated annually
CD-ROM updated twice per year
Online updated twice per year
Handheld mobile device updated twice per year

Comprehensive handbook for pharmacists. Contains a formulary of products for extemporaneous manufacture, short monographs on commonly dispensed medicines, summaries of complementary medicines, disease management guidance, information on dosing in specific patient groups, and pharmacy practice topics.

Print updated every 2–3 years
CD-ROM updated every 2–3 years

Published by national professional organisation.

Concise reviews on drugs and therapeutic topics.Timed to coincide with the marketing of new drugs.

Independent not-for-profit provider

Print six issues a year
Website six issues a year
E-alert for updates

Australian Public Assessment Report (AusPAR)

Provides information about the evaluation of a prescription medicine and the considerations that led the TGA to approve or not approve an application.

Government provider

Online about a month after TGA registration or at least 90 days after a rejected application.

Comprehensive evidence-based information for health professionals and patient information leaflets covering the common conditions managed in primary care.

UK Government provider

Website new guidance issued regularly, updated as required

A portal of clinical guidelines developed for use in Australian healthcare settings. Guidelines must meet selection criteria set by National Institute of Clinical Studies.

Multiple providers

Website updated regularly with new guidelines

Comprehensive referenced monographs on common dietary supplements.

Independent non-government provider

Print updated periodically
Website updated every 6 months
CD-ROM updated periodically

Searchable drug database of peer-reviewed and fully referenced information on maternal and infant levels of drugs, possible effects on breastfed infants and on lactation, and alternate drugs to consider.

US Government provider

Website updated weekly if new information available

Summary sections for each drug with respect to pregnancy risk and breastfeeding.

Independent provider

Print updated every few years (includes free access to online database)

Evidence-based monographs for herbs and supplements with graded evidence for use, safety (including use in pregnancy and breastfeeding) interactions and selected references.

Content from independent non-government provider (Natural Standard)

Website updated annually

Newsletter with a concise overview of a study published within the last week, identified as “… most likely to change clinical practice” by the Dynamed editors. Linked to a fee-required database.

Independent provider

Website updated weekly
E-alert updated weekly

Brief synopses of research published in up to 160 clinical journals. Can nominate topics and filter for relevance and newsworthiness. Can also search a database of synopses via website.

Independent provider

Website updated daily
E-alert choose frequency: daily-weekly

Specialist Pharmacist Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Information Services

Division of Pharmacy
Flinders Medical Centre
Bedford Park S A 5042
Southern Adelaide Health Service
T:08 8204 5301
F:08 8204 6245
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

For enquiries on medicine use in psychiatry.

Brockway Rd
Mt Claremont WA 6010
T: 08 9347 6400
F: 08 9384 4586
E: druginformation.graylands@health.wa.gov.au
Mon to Fri: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (excluding public holidays)

Comprehensive evidence based and referenced monographs of clinically significant drug-drug and drug-food interactions plus guidance for avoiding and managing interactions.

Independent provider

Print loose-leaf updates issued between publications

Detailed, referenced monographs of the most commonly used herbs including usage, dosage, safety, efficacy and interactions.

Independent non-government provider

Print updated periodically
Website updated annually
CD-ROM updated annually

This service is funded by the Hunter New England Area Health Service and as such priority will be given to Health Professionals from within this area.

Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology Department
Calvery Mater Hospital
Edith St
Waratah NSW 2298
T: 02 4921 1278
F: 02 4921 1372
E: H.DIS@mater.health.nsw.gov.au
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Comprehensive reference source on drugs and medicines used throughout the world. Includes herbals, diagnostic agents, radiopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical excipients, toxins, and poisons as well as drugs and medicines.

Independent non-government provider

Print updated every two years
CD ROM updated every two years
Online updated quarterly

Concise summaries of important safety issues (possible, probable or actual) with medicines. Based on case reports received by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, research data and published case reports.

Government provider.

Print six issues a year (in Australian Prescriber)
Website six issues a year
E-alert six issues a year

Centralised source of Australian Product Information (PI) and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). The website has no pharmaceutical advertising; does not include all PIs or CMIs.

Provided by a data management company

Website updated within hours of release of the PI or CMI from the pharmaceutical company

Comprehensive medical textbook available free online.

Provided by Merck

Print updated periodically
Website (FREE) updated twice per month
Hand held electronic device updated twice per month

Comprehensive encyclopedia of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions reported internationally, fully referenced and indexed.

Independent provider

Print Encyclopedia published every 4 years. Side Effects of Drugs Annual (summary of new adverse reactions) published annually
Online Encyclopedia, as above

Evidence-based drug information to assist in answering clinical queries. It is composed of several databases that can be searched separately or through an integrated index. Database topics include drugs, alternative medicine, toxicological managements, reproductive risks, and acute/emergency care.

Independent provider

Online updated quarterly
Handheld electronic devices updated quarterly

Prescribing information for prescription and non-prescription medicines classified by therapeutic class. Content varies by product - electronic products include additional tools and databases ( e.g. Drug Alert- interactions checker).

Independent provider

Print MIMS annual published yearly, abbreviated version updated and published every two months
Online updated monthly
Hand held electronic devices updated monthly
CD-ROM updated monthly
Integration into clinical software updated monthly

Website includes evidence-based information for health professionals and consumers on a broad range of topics in maternal-fetal health, teratogen information and counseling.

Provided by The Hospital for Sick Kids (Toronto, Canada)
Website updated as required

Mothersafe

Information and counselling service for women and their health care providers on exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

For women and their health care providers in NSW only

Royal Hospital for Women
Barker St
Randwick NSW 2031
T: 02 9382 6539 (Sydney metropolitan)
T: 1800 647 848 (Non-metropolitan)
F: (02)9382 6070
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Website has general information on conception planning, pregnancy and lactation plus factsheets on common enquiries.

Health professional and consumer focused information on complementary and alternative medicine.

US Government provider

Website updated frequently
E-alert two per month for new guidance issued

Publication of guidance on new and existing medicines, treatments, procedures, services and technologies plus public health recommendations on how to help improve people’s health and prevent disease. Guidance based on the best available evidence and input from experts and interested parties.

UK Government provider

Website new guidance issued regularly, updated as required
E-alert for new guidance

Concise referenced monographs for natural products, including effectiveness and safety ratings, adverse reactions, interactions and patient information plus clinical tools such as drug interaction checker, and effectiveness checker.

Independent provider

Print updated annually
Online updated daily
Handheld electronic devices updated daily

Comprehensive database with evidence-based monographs on dietary supplements and complementary therapies. Includes evidence-grading scales, drug-herb interaction checker and other tools to support decision-making.

Independent provider

Print ‘Herb and supplement guide’ and other books
Online updated regularly
Handheld electronic devices updated annually
Newsletter(free) monthly

Comprehensive medicines information portal.Some sections of the website are only accessible by NHS employees. Daily email newsletter with brief synopses of medicines news, reviews and updates. Can nominate clinical areas of interest.

UK Government provider

Website updated daily
E-alert updated daily

NHMRC-endorsed clinical practice guidelines covering a range of topics ( e.g. cancer, diabetes, pain).

Multiple providers

Website new guidance issued regularly, updated as required

Comprehensive database/search engine for clinical and non-clinical information. It ranks search results according to relevance and quality. UK focus but includes international information. Specialist collections provide links to the latest guidelines, systematic reviews and research.

UK Government provider

Website updated daily
E-alert for updates

Succinct newsletter on therapeutic topics.

Independent not-for-profit provider

Print six issues a year
Website six issues a year

Succinct evidence-based guidance for prescribing. Covers selected therapeutic topics.

Independent not-for profit provider.

Print four issues a year
Website four issues a year

A review of evidence on new drugs, research and PBS listings with key practice points and place in therapy.

Independent not-for-profit provider

Print 3 issues a year, timed to coincide with new or changed PBS listings.
Website 3 times a year plus additional web updates when required
Integration into clinical software 3 times per year
E-alert for new or changed PBS listings

For NSW health professionals only

24 Leichhardt St
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
T: 02 8382 2136
F: 02 8382 3048
E: nswmic@stvincents.com.au
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Website includes peer-reviewed factsheets on many medications in pregnancy.

Non-profit private corporation
Website updated as required

Overview of the rationale and supporting evidence behind positive or negative recommendations for PBS listings made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)

Government provider

Website updates 3 times a year

Listings of medicines available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Government provider

Website updated monthly
E-alert for new or changed listings

For product-specific information (e.g. adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, formulation, product availability).

Refer to listings in whitepages.com.au

T: 131 126 from anywhere in Australia
24 hours a day

Practical information and recommendations on medicines use during pregnancy and breastfeeding including Australian Pregnancy risk category. Published by the Pharmacy Department Royal Women’s Hospital,Melbourne.

Independent provider

Print updated periodically

In the process of being updated to form a web-based resource containing complete and relevant information regarding the use of medicines in pregnancy. Information posted on the website presently (ie, as at June 2010) may not be reliable.

Government provider

Website frequency of update unknown

Paediatric Drug Information Centre

Roberts Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Box D184
Perth WA 6840
T: 08 9340 8703
F: 08 9340 8710
Mon to Fri: 8.30 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Mental Health Research Institute
155 Oak St
Parkville VIC 3052
Locked Bag 11
Parkville VIC 3052
T: 03 9389 2920
F: 03 9387 5061
E: c.culhane@mhri.edu.au
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Database of abstracts and citations from original studies and syntheses (systematic reviews and meta-analyses).

US Government provider

Website updated weekly

Service is only for health professionals in Queensland.

Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
Butterfield St
Herston QLD 4029
T: 07 3636 7098 or 07 3636 7599
F: 07 3636 1393
E: Queensland_Drug_Information_Centre@health.qld.gov.au
Mon to Fri: 8.30 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

RACGP-endorsed guidelines covering specific therapeutic areas (e.g. stroke, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dementia) as well as general practice guidance (e.g. the Red Book, the Green Book).

Multiple providers

Print new guidance issued regularly, updated as required
Website updated every few years

North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
T: 08 8222 5546
F: 08 8222 5891
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Not pregnancy, breastfeeding or paediatrics

Comprehensive prescribing information for paediatric patients including doses, drug administration, compatability and availability.

Independent provider

Print (full and abridged) updated every 3-4 years
Electronic e-book updated every 3-4 years

Rocklands Drive
Casuarina NT 0810
PO Box 41326 Casuarina NT 0811
T: 08 8922 8424
F: 08 8922 8499
Mon to Fri: 8 am to 4.21 pm (excluding public holidays)

Womens health, Pregnancy and Lactation enquiries

Cnr Grattan St and Flemington Rd
Parkville VIC 3052
T: 03 8345 3190
F: 03 8345 3195
E: drug.information@thewomens.org.au
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Hospital Avenue
Nedlands WA 6009
T: 08 9346 2923
F: 08 9346 4480
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

Comprehensive evidence-based and referenced monographs of the mechanism, clinical importance and management of clinically relevant drug- drug, drug-herb and drug-food interactions.

Independent provider

Print updated every few years
CD-ROM updated every few years
Online updated quarterly

Comprehensive referenced information on the mechanism, clinical importance and management of clinically relevant drug-drug, drug-herb and drug-food interactions for the most commonly used herbal medicines and dietary supplements.

Independent provider

Print updated periodically
Website updated quarterly

Concise summaries of drug-drug, drug-herb and drug-food interactions derived from the full text version. Designed as a quick ready-reference, each alert is rated by the action required, severity of interaction and evidence.

Independent provider

Online updated monthly
Integrated into clinical software updated monthly

TGA Safety alerts on medicines and medical devices

Government provider

Website issued as required

Access to the Cochrane Library and other systematic reviews, clinical trials and methods studies, technology assessments and economic evaluations.

Independent not-for profit provider

Website updated quarterly
Individual reviews updated periodically

Comprehensive referenced monographs on natural products including herb/drug interactions appendix, folkloric uses, pregnancy and lactation information and patient information.

Independent non-government provider

Print updated periodically
Online daily updates

Comprehensive guidelines covering common disorders in primary care. Best practice statements based on expert interpretations of best available evidence.

Independent not-for profit provider

Print updated every few years.
Online minor updates three times yearly
Hand-held electronic devices minor updates three times yearly

Search engine that aggregates high-quality evidence-based information useful for answering clinical queries. Can review results by currency or relevance.

Independent provider

Website updated monthly
E-alert for updates

For health care providers in WA only

King Edward Memorial Hospital
Obstetric drug information service
Bagot Road
Subiaco WA 6008
T: 08 9340 2723
F: 08 9340 2713
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)

For enquiries on medicine use in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children only.

72 King William Road
North Adelaide SA 5006
T: 08 8161 7222
F: 08 8161 6049
E: cywhs.druginfocentre@health.sa.gov.au
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays)