Being medicinewise

NPS MedicineWise has a wide range of resources to help individuals, community groups and health services to promote being medicinewise.

Being medicinewise will help you make better health decisions and get the most benefit from your medicines, safely.

This resource hub is updated regularly with links to our articles and resources for you to share with your networks.

We will not be holding a Be Medicinewise Week in 2021, but encourage you to get in touch with us directly if we can assist you in promoting our medicinewise messages.

 

Being medicinewise during COVID-19

Corona Virus

During the COVID-19 pandemic it is especially important to be medicinewise.

NPS MedicineWise is regularly updating its coronavirus hub with important information for consumers.

Choosing Wisely Australia has issued pandemic guidance of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

How to be medicinewise

Medicines are part of most people’s lives. Here are four simple tips for being medicinewise. 

  1. Know all the medicines you take and why you take them. Keeping an up-to-date medicines list is a great way to keep track of your medicines.
  2. Understand the instructions for taking your medicines. Medicines only work if you are taking them properly, and you can only take them properly if you understand the instructions.
  3. Check with your health professional before starting any new medicine. A health professional can help you balance the benefits of a medicine with any potential risks.
  4. Ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand about your medicines. Seeking information from a trusted source can help you get the most out of your medicines, safely.
 

Download our resources

Medicines lists

NPS MedicineWise has created Medicines Lists for download, which are available in English, Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Korean, Macedonian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Medicines lists in community languages

Choosing Wisely 5 questions

Use these 5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider to make sure you end up with the right amount of care — not too much and not too little. Available in English, Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Croatian, Farsi, Greek, Italian, Korean, Macedonian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

5 Questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider
 

How to access information and ask the right questions to help get the most out of them, safely

 

Social media video resources

Videos promoting medicinewise behaviour have been developed and are available for embedding on websites and using on social media. Please contact us for stand-alone versions of these videos for display in clinical or community settings.

Social media posts for sharing

Waitioin-room-video-content-being-medicinewise-facebook

Facebook

Our Facebook collection of 'quality use of medicines' information for Australian consumers.

Being medicinewise videos on facebook

Twitter

A collection of consumer-focused 'Being medicinewise' tweets to retweet from your organisation's Twitter account.

Being medicinewise tweets

Videos for sharing

What happens when two pills go on a blind date?

On this week's episode of Medicine Match, we send two pills on a blind date. Will they clash or will it be #HapPILLyeverafter?

Read video transcript

Lesson videos on how to be medicinewise

Being medicinewise lesson 1:

What is this medicine for?

Being medicinewise lesson 2:

What are the active ingredients?

Being medicinewise lesson 3:

How do I take my medicines correctly?

Being medicinewise lesson 4:

What are the side effects and what can you do?

Videos on giving medicine to children

Three short videos from NPS MedicineWise and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network give practical tips for parents and carers giving medicine to children.

Tips from a pharmacist
Tips from a child life therapist
Tips from a nurse

Choosing Wisely Australia videos

Choosing Wisely Australia encourages people to ask their doctor or other healthcare provider questions to make sure they end up with the right amount of care — not too much and not too little. 

Email [email protected] if you would like a copy of these videos for your organisation.

Five questions to ask
Pandemic guidance for consumers
Asking about the risk of a test or procedure
Find the right questions to ask
Old vs new: It's OK to ask questions
Do you ask questions?

The videos are available for download and can also be used for display in GP practices, hospitals and other healthcare settings.

 

Previous Be Medicinewise Weeks

2019

We encouraged Australian to get to know the language of medicines.

2018

We encouraged Australian families to make good decisions about medicines, medical tests and other health choices.

2017

We reminded Australians that medicine misuse can happen to anyone.

2016

We encouraged people to ask the right questions, ask the right people and follow the right advice to get the most out of their medicines.

30k video views

2015

Jimmy Rees (from ‘Giggle and Hoot’) helped us remind parents and carers how to properly administer medicines to children.

732 media hits

2014

Dr D’Arcy returned to encourage older Australians to prepare for any medicine-related issues they might face.

270 media hits

2013

Bert Newton and Dr John D’Arcy were celebrity ambassadors, asking older Australians to take a medicine challenge each day.

10k web visits

2012

Following its success, the campaign ran annually. We encouraged people to understand medicines and their active ingredients.

3.5M reached

2011

Be Medicinewise Week sparked a national conversation on the safe and wise use of medicines. The campaign was featured on Channel 7, TMS, radio and included brand ambassadors like Mel Doyle.

1.5M reached