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Over-the-counter medicines - Independent medicine & health information for consumers & professionals Over-the-counter medicines
Show health professional infoLatest independent information about over-the-counter medicines, written and reviewed by experts in Australia.
Over the counter medicines are also known as over the counter drugs, OTC or nonprescription drugs.
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| Title | Description | Type | Audience  |
Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines for type 2 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 2 diabetes may need medicines as well as dietary changes & physical activity to control their blood glucose levels. Treating diabetes with medicines helps relieve symptoms & reduces the risk of developing complications. |
Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| What is a therapeutic group premium? | Explains what a therapeutic group premium is. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| Are any non-prescription medicines on the PBS? | Yes. Some medicines that are available without a prescription are also subsidised if you have a prescription and meet the criteria for subsidy (e.g. nicotine patches). Ask your doctor to find out whether you can get any of the over-the counter medicines you currently take on prescription. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| Are there different PBS Safety Net thresholds for singles versus families? | No. The Safety Net thresholds apply to family units and are the same regardless of whether the unit consists of one person, a couple, or a family with dependent children. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| When does the 20-day rule apply to the PBS Safety Net? | If you buy certain medicines within 20 days of having bought them previously, a rule called the 'Safety Net 20-day rule' applies. In such cases, you will have to pay your usual PBS-subsidised amount for the medicine if you are already using a Safety Net Card. If you haven’t reached the threshold for the Safey Net, the cost of the medicine will not count towards your Safety Net tally. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| How can I keep my medicines costs down? — FAQs | Use the PBS Safety Net, consider your medicine brand choices, including generic drugs, and have your medications reviewed. See more FAQs about buying medicines. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 |
| Pain relievers explained | Even though non-prescription pain relievers are widely available, they are still medicines, and can have serious side effects. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2011-07-29 00:00:00 |
| Two-in-one medicines | Some medicines contain more than one active ingredient. These are called two-in-one medicines or combination medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2012-01-17 00:00:00 |
| Medicines for type 1 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 1 diabetes need medicines as well as dietary changes & physical activity to control their blood glucose levels. Medicines are needed to relieve symptoms & reduces the risk of developing complications. |
Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Optimising the use of OTC analgesics | Clinical audit used to assist pharmacists and pharmacy staff to review their recommendations of nonprescription analgesics against therapeutic guidelines and professional best practice standards. |
Professional activity - Pharmacy Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2008-04-26 00:00:00 |
| What you need to know to complete the over-the-counter NSAIDs self-audit | Clinical audit used to assist pharmacists and pharmacy staff to review their recommendations of nonprescription NSAIDs against therapeutic guidelines and professional best practice standards. |
Professional activity - Pharmacy Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2008-04-26 00:00:00 |
| Audit of provision of over-the-counter NSAIDs | Clinical audit used to assist pharmacists and pharmacy staff to review their recommendations of nonprescription NSAIDs against therapeutic guidelines. |
Professional activity - Pharmacy Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2008-04-26 00:00:00 |
| Management of dyspepsia – 2003 enrolment | Clinical audit used to assist pharmacists and pharmacy staff to review their recommendations of nonprescription drugs for the management of dyspepsia. |
Professional activity - Pharmacy Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2008-04-26 00:00:00 |
| Managing the common cold | Clinical audit used to assist pharmacists and pharmacy staff to review their recommendations of nonprescription drugs for the management of the common cold. |
Professional activity - Pharmacy Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2008-04-26 00:00:00 |
| Indicators of Quality Prescribing: 3 | Indicators of Quality Prescribing: Indicator 3 Product Information (Non-prescription Drugs). This indicator asks practices if they have up-to-date product information about nonprescription drugs |
Professional tool - Indicators of quality prescribing | Health Professionals | 2006-02-01 00:00:00 |
| Case study 52 report: Optimising chronic heart failure therapy | Patient diagnosed with systolic heart failure presents with increased breathlessness. Examines optimal target medications. |
Professional activity - Case study report | Health Professionals | 2008-06-01 00:00:00 |
| Case study 52: Optimising chronic heart failure therapy | Patient diagnosed with systolic heart failure presents with increased breathlessness. Examines optimal target medications. |
Professional activity - Case study | Health Professionals | 2008-04-01 00:00:00 |
| Case study 71: Heart failure | Patient diagnosed with systolic heart failure presents with increased breathlessness. Examines optimal medicine regimens.. |
Professional activity - Case study | Health Professionals | 2011-10-04 00:00:00 |
| NPS Pharmacy Letter | Lists editions of NPS Pharmacy Letter, providing evidence-based information about over-the-counter medicines for Australian pharmacists. This is no longer published but you can download back editions. |
Web page | Health Professionals | 2008-02-12 00:00:00 |
| Nurse Update April 2011 | Info for nurses about new medicines issues including updates on NPS publications, resources and activities. |
Professional publication - Nurse Update | Health Professionals | 2011-04-18 00:00:00 |
| NSAIDs: minimising the risk (insert) | Pharmacy letter insert with advice on appropriate use of NSAIDs to minimise risk to patients from their use. |
Professional publication - Pharmacy Letter | Health Professionals | 2001-03-23 00:00:00 |
| NSAIDs: minimising the risk (pharmacy letter) | Pharmacy letter insert with advice on appropriate use of NSAIDs to minimise risk to patients from their use. |
Professional publication - Pharmacy Letter | Health Professionals | 1999-11-28 00:00:00 |
| Dyspepsia management | Pharmacy letter on the 'step-up' management of dyspepsia in the community. |
Professional publication - Pharmacy Letter | Health Professionals | 2003-08-01 00:00:00 |
| Medimate: Use consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflets to learn more | Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflets inform you about prescription and pharmacist-only medicines. A CMI leaflet gives you important facts to know before, during and after taking your medicines. |
Consumer publication - Brochure | Consumers | 2009-09-23 00:00:00 |
| Medimate: Medicines don't just come on prescription | Medicines come in many forms. Medicines may come on prescription, be recommended by a pharmacist, or you may choose medicines yourself. |
Consumer publication - Brochure | Consumers | 2009-09-23 00:00:00 |
| Medimate - medicine information brochure for consumers | Medimate helps consumers find, understand and use information about medicines. |
Web page | Consumers | 2009-09-16 00:00:00 |
| The National Census of Medicines Use: Medicine Use by Australians Aged 50 Years and Older, Abstract NMS 2010 | National census data about the use of medicines by senior Australians aged 50 years and over, Morgan T, Pirotta M, Stewart K, Barnes J, Myers S, Williamson M. National Medicine Symposium, 26-28 May 2010, Melbourne, Australia |
Event - Conference abstract | Health Professionals,Research & Evaluation community | 2010-05-28 00:00:00 |
| First national survey to get snapshot of medicines use | Australians’ use of medicines, including natural remedies, is the focus of a national census launched this week by the National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) and the University of Melbourne |
Media release | Others | 2009-07-06 19:00:00 |
| Medicines and young children | Learn about the differences in giving medicines to children, and the need for careful selection of prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2005-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Young people talk about medicines | Learn about the attitudes of young people to medicines, including their safety, and the ways doctors communicate with them about their health. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2004-09-01 00:00:00 |
| Home Medicines Reviews explained | Learn about Home Medicines Reviews, which can help reduce the number of medication errors, including many which require hospitalisation. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2004-03-01 00:00:00 |
| Pharmacists: the hidden gurus | Learn about the training and expertise of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, and the questions you can ask them. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2003-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Can I get the medicine from a pharmacy? | Learn about the reasons that some drugs are available over the counter, others on prescription, and others Pharmacy Only or Pharmacist Only. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2003-08-01 00:00:00 |
| Ask a pharmacist! | Questions that your pharmacist can answer about prescription and non-prescription medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2009-01-30 00:00:00 |
| Pharmacy medicines explained | Some medicines can only be bought from pharmacies, while others can be bought from supermarkets. Find out what determines where and how a particular medicine can be sold. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2009-01-30 00:00:00 |
| Pharmacists: a great source of information | Community pharmacists (those that work in pharmacies or chemist shops) do much more than just selling medicines and putting labels on them. Find out how they can help you. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2009-01-30 00:00:00 |
| MedicinesTalk No. 28 Summer 2008 edition | MedicinesTalk Summer 2008 has articles on information a pharmacist can give you, explanation of pharmacy medicines, questions to ask a pharmacist and the generic medicines campaign. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2009-01-30 00:00:00 |
| Tips to prevent and manage common colds in children | Provides advice for parents on preventing common colds and treating cold symptoms in children using over-the-counter products and non-drug interventions. |
Media factsheet | Consumers,Others | 2005-05-01 00:00:00 |
| Common sense tips to prevent and manage common colds in adults | Provides advice on preventing common colds and treating cold symptoms using over-the-counter products and non-drug interventions. |
Media factsheet | Consumers,Others | 2005-05-01 00:00:00 |
| Prescription and other medicines: not always a good combination | Examples of interactions between prescribed medicines and over-the-counter medicines, with advice on how to avoid them. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2008-03-01 00:00:00 |
| About quality use of medicines | Quality use of medicines (QUM) means selecting management options wisely; choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary; and using medicines safely and effectively. |
Web page | Others | 2008-02-22 00:00:00 |
| Types of medicines and people's responses to them | Learn about the purpose of medicines, the different forms they come in and how people differ in their responses to prescription and non-prescription drugs. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2006-09-01 00:00:00 |
| Medimate drug information brochure for consumers | Medimate brochure to help consumers find, understand and use information about medicines. |
Consumer publication - Brochure | Consumers | 2011-04-12 00:00:00 |
| Latest edition of Australian Prescriber out now | The October 2011 edition of Australian Prescriber is out now |
Media release | Others | 2011-10-04 19:00:00 |
| Take caution with codeine | People should be careful when taking codeine as trials have shown that it is only moderately effective as a painkiller, and it has a range of common side effects, according to Dr Joel Iedema of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital |
Media release | Others | 2011-10-04 19:00:00 |
| Be medicinewise: sometimes medicines and machinery don’t mix | NPS MedicineWise has teamed up with the Australian Men’s Sheds Association (AMSA) to launch new information and resources to help its members be medicinewise while working with machinery in Men’s Sheds across Australia. The resources, which include posters and information, will be launched in Men’s Sheds nationwide during Men’s Health Week from June 13-19. |
Media release | Others | 2011-06-09 19:00:00 |
| Managing pain when you take other medicines | NPS MedicineWise is encouraging people with chronic conditions to speak with their doctor, pharmacist or health professional before taking over-the-counter medicines as part of a new campaign aimed at helping Australians manage pain safely and effectively |
Media release | Others | 2011-03-04 19:00:00 |
| Why scans and x-rays won’t help your low back pain | Acute low back pain affects four in five Australians at some point in their life and is the second most common reason why people see their doctor for pain relief. |
Media release | Others | 2011-03-03 19:00:00 |
| What’s in your pain relief medicine? | New research from NPS MedicineWise has revealed some confusion regarding the active ingredients contained in many common over-the-counter pain relief medicines. |
Media release | Others | 2011-02-28 19:00:00 |
| Talk to your health professional | Ask your health professional for advice |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-02-25 00:00:00 |
| Over-the-counter pain relievers | Over-the-counter pain relievers are medicines. All medicines have benefits and risks |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-02-25 00:00:00 |
| Asthma | Asthma |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-02-25 00:00:00 |
| People over 65 years | People over 65 years |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-02-25 00:00:00 |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | Inflammatory bowel disease |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-02-25 00:00:00 |
| New survey shows Australians are not medicinewise | Results from a survey of 1500 consumers reported 65% had used a prescription medicine in the last three months, 60% had used an over-the-counter medicine and 45% had used an alternative or herbal medicine |
Media release | Others | 2011-01-30 19:00:00 |
| Over the counter (OTC) – definition written & reviewed by Australian experts | Over the counter (OTC) - If a medicine is available ‘over the counter’ (OTC), it means you don’t need a prescription to buy it. |
Glossary item | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Medicines – definition written & reviewed by Australian experts | Medicines - Substances used to treat an illness or medical condition. |
Glossary item | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
Information on this website is published by NPS — an independent, evidence based, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
NPS develops its information under the guidance of experts in their field, editorial panels, expert reviewers and consumers. Find out more about how we develop our content.
Date published: 2010-12-17 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.
