6 August, 2007

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) has today launched its national medicines awareness campaign titled: Get to Know Your Medicines. The campaign aims to increase consumer awareness and understanding about the medicines they are taking in order to minimize the possibilities of side effects and interactions.

Every year in Australia almost 200 million prescriptions are dispensed representing ten medications per person.

“It is important to remember that 70% of Australians take at least one prescription medicine or non-prescription medicine at any one time,” explained NPS CEO Lynn Weekes. “Using medicines is more common among older people with 86% of people 65 years and over using medicines. Multiple use of medicines is more common in people aged 85 years and over.”

Dr Weekes explained “there is a high incidence of preventable adverse medicines events in Australia.”

Statistics gathered over the past 10 years clearly show numerous problems associated with taking medicines. More than 140,000 people are hospitalised every year as a result of medication-related problems with evidence showing that between 50-75% of these are preventable.

2007 Senior Australian of the Year Phil Herreen says “Anyone taking medicines, including people with a chronic condition like myself, and those like my wife who care for us, will benefit from learning more about our medicines choices.

“I know from my work in hospitals that people are concerned when there is a need to take multiple medications. There can be stigma attached to taking medicines and consequently people don’t follow the medicines regime as prescribed, or may seek other solutions without realising the potential consequences.

“I think it is most important to work with your doctor and be responsible for knowing what you are taking. That is easy enough to do. It means talking with your doctor, your pharmacist, and knowing you can go to someone like NPS to find information that is accurate, up to date, independent and evidence based.”

The campaign is supported by a television advertisement advising viewers to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or call Medicines Line. Details of the campaign, including the television commercials and an extensive array of resources available to order, may be found at www.nps.org.au

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.