14 November 2008

Pharmacists wanting to purchase more prescription intake forms, ancillary labels or repeat folders that were sent out as part of the generic medicines campaign tool kit are now able to do so.

The products, developed by the National Prescribing Service in partnership with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), are part of the Generics are an equal choice campaign and were sent to all community pharmacies throughout Australia in October.

“The tool kit resources have been designed to be easily integrated into the daily practices of a community pharmacy and aim to provide pharmacy staff with support for best practice when discussing generic medicines with consumers,” NPS Education and Quality Assurance Program Manager, Judith Mackson said. 

“This includes only offering a generic brand at the prescription intake point when it’s safe and appropriate to do so. Brand substitution should only occur once a patient has given their consent. When substitution occurs it is important to point out the active ingredient name on the label or packaging to patients.”

Pharmacists are also reminded to train staff on generic medicines using the PSA Pharmacy Self Care storyboard or materials from the NPS website.

The new-look ancillary label included in the tool kit is larger than the existing label 15 and includes an area to write the name of the active ingredient. These provide an alternative to the existing label 15 in the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) and will be included in the next edition, to be released in January 2009.

To order more prescription intake forms, ancillary labels or repeat folders (which can be overprinted with your pharmacy details) from the tool kit phone Stirling Fildes on 1300 651 118.

Should you have any feedback regarding any of the tools, please email us.

ENDS

The 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.