20 April 2005

Australians aged 65 years and over are at risk of medicines related mix-ups with more than 86% taking one or more medicine at any one time. About 140,000 people are admitted to hospital as a result of problems with their medicines every year.

Medicines Line is a phone line staffed by pharmacists who can answer a lot of different questions and help you avoid problems and mix-ups with your medicines. Over the past six months, 1670 people aged 65 and over called National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) Medicines Line. This was 23% of all calls made to Medicines Line.

When the pharmacist answers your call they can provide you with independent information about your medicines. Your call is confidential and you can get general information about:

• Interactions with other medicines
• Side-effects
• How your medicine works
• How to take your medicine
• How to store your medicine.

About 70% of people using Medicines Line ask a question about their own medicines, with the other 30% calling on behalf of family, a friend, or partner. Almost half the callers were sourcing more information on a medicine in addition to what had been provided by their doctor or pharmacist.

Ms Kylie Male, Acting Director of Nursing at Mt Perry Community Health Centre in rural Queensland, has used Medicines Line regularly on behalf of some of her patients. “One elderly patient had heard of a herbal remedy for emphysema, and wanted to know whether it was safe, and whether it could work,” said Ms Male. “I called Medicines Line and asked them for some information while I was with her.”

As well as answering questions about medicines, Medicines Line can also provide you with a Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet. These are available for most prescribed medicines and for some medicines you buy over-the-counter. CMI leaflets give you information about how to use the medicine, at the right dose, possible side-effects and what to do if you miss a dose.

It is important to know that Medicines Line does not replace your visit to your GP or pharmacist. Medicines Line can give you access to up-to-date information, but your doctor or pharmacist will be able to give you specific and individual advice.

Contact NPS Medicines Line by telephoning 1300 888 763 between 9am and 6pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) for the cost of a local call.

If you have emergency concerns about your medicines arising from an overdose or suspected poisoning, call the Poisons Information Centre, 24 hours a day, on 131 126. For all other emergencies call 000, 24 hours a day and ask for an ambulance.

Other top ways to get to know your medicines:

• Attend an interactive medicines information session through COTA National Seniors Partnership. Seniors with training in medicines information can run information sessions with seniors’ clubs and social groups to discuss how to talk with your doctor or pharmacist to better understand and learn about your medicines. To book a session or for more information, contact your state coordinator:

• Pick up a copy of Medimate. Medimate will help you to know all the things you need to know about your medicines, and questions you should ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can get Medimate in most pharmacies, some doctors surgeries, order them online at www.nps.org.au/consumers or call 02 8217 8700.

• Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). You can collect a CMI leaflet by phoning Medicines Line, contacting the pharmaceutical company who makes the medicine, from your doctor or pharmacist or on the NPS website at www.nps.org.au.

• Read MedicinesTalk, it is written by consumers, for consumers and covers a wide variety of issues and stories relating to medicines. You can subscribe to MedicinesTalk on the NPS website at www.nps.org.au or by calling 02 8217 8700.

To find out more about what you can do to get to know your medicines, visit www.nps.org.au or call 02 8217 8700.

 ENDS

National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) is a member based organisation and provides independent, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community. NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.