MedicineWise app: manage medicines on your smartphone

If you regularly have trouble with managing your medicines and health info, then the MedicineWise app can help.

With this app you can easily keep track of medicines and access important health info any time and anywhere, especially in emergencies.

Perfect for those with multiple medicines, busy lifestyles, or carer responsibilities, the MedicineWise app allows you to do the following, plus much more:

• Create a list of medicines by scanning your medicine barcodes or searching our comprehensive Australian medicines database
  
• Record important health info such as medical conditions, allergies and health professional contact details
  
• Set reminders for when to take medicines and attend doctor’s appointments
  
• Access Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) to learn more about your medicines
  
• Generate and share your medicine lists and usage reports with healthcare professionals via email
  
• Store, graph and share your test results (eg, blood pressure, weight)
  
• Create separate profiles for those in your care to manage medicines and health info for others
  
• Store notes and questions to ask your doctor
  

Download the app from Google Play or the App Store. It's free.

Read on for answers to frequently asked questions about the MedicineWise app. If you have a question that is not covered by our FAQs, please email us at medicinewiseapp@nps.org.au or call us on 02 8217 8700

How do I download the app?

If you have an Android device, download the app from the Google Play Store

If you have an Apple iOS device, download the app from the App Store

When downloading MedicineWise onto an iPad, ensure you set the search filter in iTunes to ‘iPhone Only’ or you won’t be able to find MedicineWise in your search results.

Can I download this app outside of Australia?

This app uses Australian medicine brands and barcodes information, and is therefore available for download and use in Australia only.

Will the app work when I’m offline?

Most of the important features of MedicineWise, such as the reminders, will work offline. However the generation of reports and display of Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) and featured resources will require an internet connection. 

Why do I need to log in? 

The secure and convenient login feature enables you to"

• keep your personal information safe by restricting access to you
  
• back up your information in the cloud
  
• automatically sync your information across multiple devices that you log into.
  

Can I use the app without logging in?

From June 2017, the MedicineWise app introduced a secure user login feature, which requires you to log in to be able to use the app. 

If you would like to continue using an older version of the MedicineWise app without the login feature, you can choose not to upgrade to the latest version.  This is not recommended however, as you will miss out on the new features and bug fixes that are supported only on the latest app versions.

Is my personal information safe?

MedicineWise is developed by NPS MedicineWise, an independent, and not-for-profit health organisation.

NPS MedicineWise respects the privacy of your personal and health information, and we will never share your identifiable information with other parties without your express consent. You can view our full Privacy Policy here.

NPS MedicineWise also protects your personal and health information through extensive security measures, and will only store your information in Australia and never overseas.

Why do I need to accept app permissions?

This app requires your permission to access your:

• 'Calendars' so you can add some reminders from your app to your device's calendar
  
• 'Camera' so you can scan barcodes on your medicines
  
• 'Notifications' so you can receive reminders
  
• 'Mobile data' so you can access your Consumer Medicines Information for each medicine, receive medicine database updates, and email your reports.
  

What is a profile?

A ‘profile’ must be created for each person you enter into the MedicineWise app.

So if you are a carer, you can set up a profile for yourself and separate profile(s) for the other person(s) you care for.

Against each profile, you can record the medicines and medical info, and set reminders that are relevant to that person.

How do I edit a profile?

1. Tap on the profile you wish to edit to take you to the profile's dashboard.
   
2. Tap on the avatar on the dashboard to take you to the edit screen.
   
3. Edit your details such as date of birth, gender, emergency contact and health card details.
   

How do I remove a profile?

1. Swipe to the left on the profile you wish to remove.
   
2. Tap on the ‘archive’ button to remove the profile from view.
   

How do I permanently delete an archived profile?

1. Go to ‘Settings’
   
2. Tap on ‘Archived data’
   
3. Swipe to the left on the archived profile
   
4. Tap on the ‘Delete’ button.

How do I restore an archived profile?

1. Go to ‘Settings’
2. Tap on ‘Archived data’
   
3. Swipe to the left on the archived profile
   
4. Tap on the ‘Restore’ button.

How do I add a medicine?

You can add medicines in three ways.

1. Scan the barcode on the medicine’s packaging to auto-fill the medicine details.
   
2. Search for the medicine from our comprehensive database of Australian medicines.
   
3. Manually add the medicine.
   

Why does my medicines search not show any results?

You will need to add a minimum of 4 letters of either the medicine's 'brand' or 'active ingredient' name into the search field, before the app can search for the medicine.

If this search does not yield any appropriate results, tap on the (+) symbol below the search field to add the medicine manually.

Why did my barcode scan fail?

Although the majority of medicine barcodes are supported by MedicineWise, there are some over-the-counter and complementary medicines, which cannot be scanned into the app. We are continually enhancing our app to ensure that more of these medicines are scannable.

If your medicine cannot be scanned, you can search for it using our medicines database.

How do I edit a medicine?

Once you have added a medicine to the app, you will not be able to edit it. Delete the medicine first and then re-add it to your medicines list.

How do I delete a medicine?

1. Enter the 'Medicines' module.
   
2. Swipe to the left over the medicine.
   
3. Tap the 'Remove' option.
   
4. Select 'delete' to remove the medicine permanently, or 'stopped taking' to move the medicine to a 'stopped taking' list.
   

To retrieve this 'stopped taking' list, go to the 'Medicines' screen, tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner, and tap the 'Show Stopped Medicines' option.

Why is my medicines database taking a long time to update?

The app's medicines database is periodically updated so you have the most up-to-date medicines information.

If you receive a message that the medicines database is updating, you will need to wait for it to complete, or you will not be able to access your medicines list.

Please note that it can take 10–15 minutes for the update to complete on some older devices. If this happens, you may wish to minimise the app to keep it running in the background until the update is completed.

Why can’t I see a Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) for my medicine?

The majority of medicines in MedicineWise will have a Consumer Medicines Information (CMI), however a few medicines will have a missing CMI as it cannot be displayed within the app.

If your CMI is missing in the app, please visit our online MedicineFinder to view your CMI from our website.

Why can’t I receive reminder notifications?

Here are common reasons why you may not be receiving notifications:

• You may not have given permission for the MedicineWise app to access 'Notifications' on your device. Check your device's settings to ensure that this permission is on for MedicineWise.
  
• Reminders may not be turned on for your medicines. Check that your reminders are switched on (see below).
  
• Your device's volume is set too low or is on 'mute'. Please change your device's settings to make your notification louder.
  
• Your 'Medicine Notifications' setting within the app has been switched to OFF. Please go into the app's settings section and turn this ON.
  Note: if you are currently using the MedicineWise app on multiple devices, turning this switch ON for your current device will automatically turn medicine notifications OFF on your other devices – this is because medicine reminders can only be ON for a single device at a time.
• Your device has programs/settings or apps installed that may prevent your reminders from appearing.
  

If these suggestions do not solve your problem, please email us at medicinewiseapp@nps.org.au for further assistance.

How do I turn a reminder ON/OFF?

1. Tap on the 'Medicines’ module.
   
2. Tap on the medicine you want to turn reminders ON/OFF for.
   
3. Check that the 'dose and frequency' field has been entered. Reminders require this field to be filled.
   
4. Tap on the toggle button next to 'Reminders are:'. 
   

Reminders are ON if the toggle turns green, and OFF when the toggle is white.

How do I edit the time for a reminder?

1. Tap on the 'Medicines’ module.
   
2. Tap on the medicine you want to edit reminders for.
   
3. Tap on the text in the 'Dose and Frequency' field.
   
4. Select 'Edit schedule'.
   
5. Swipe to the left over a reminder time you wish to delete and select 'Remove'
   
6. Add in new reminder times by tapping on the desired time and entering a dose.
   

Will my reminders work when I travel into a new time zone?

Yes. If the time zone on your device changes when you travel, you will need to restart your phone to ensure that the app’s reminders will trigger at the correct time in your new time zone.

For example: A reminder that was set at 9 am Sydney time, will trigger at 9 am in the new time zone.

How do I change the snooze interval on my reminders?

1. Tap the Settings icon on the top left-hand side of the profiles screen.
   
2. Tap 'Settings'
   
3. Tap the 'Reminders snooze time' field and adjust the snooze time.
   

Will my reminders work when my device is offline?

Yes, your reminders will work when you are offline.

Why do I get reminders on only one of my devices?

If you have logged into the MedicineWise app on multiple devices (eg, a phone and a tablet), your medicine reminders will only ever trigger for ONE of your devices. This is a safety feature to ensure that you do not receive duplicated medicine reminders across your devices.

You can choose which device your medicine reminders will come from by turning the 'Medicine Notifications' ON in the app settings of your chosen device.

What is a 'General Health Reminder'?

A 'General Health Reminder' can be used to set reminders for anything from your appointments and prescription refills. To add a 'General Health Reminder':

1. Tap on the 'Reminders’ module.
   
2. Tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
   
3. Select 'Add new general health reminder'
   
4. Enter in your reminder details.
   
5. Tap the 'Add to Calendar?' toggle ON if you want the reminder added to your device's calendar.
   
6. Tap the 'done' button.
   

How do I edit a 'General Health Reminder'?

1. Tap on the 'Reminders’ module.
   
2. Tap on the 'General Health Reminder', which appears on the top of the screen.
   
3. Edit details of the reminder.
   
4. Tap the back arrow located at the top left-hand corner of the screen to save your changes.
   

How do I delete a 'General Health Reminder'?

1. Tap on the 'Reminders’ module.
   
2. Tap on the 'General Health Reminder', which appears on the top of the screen.
   
3. Tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner of the screen and select 'delete'.
   

How do I export a list of my current medicines?

1. Tap on the 'Medicines’ module.
   
2. Tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner and select 'Email medicines list'.
   
3. Enter an email address and press 'send'. The medicine list will be a PDF file attached to your email.
   

How do I get a report of medicine doses that I have taken or missed?

1. Tap on the 'Medicines’ module.
   
2. Tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner and select 'Email medicines activity log'.
   
3. Enter an email address and press 'send'. The medicines activity log will be a PDF file attached to your email.
   

How do I export my test and measurement results?

1. Tap on the 'General Health’ module.
   
2. Tap on the 'Measurements and Tests’ sub-module.
   
3. Tap on the measurement/test you would like to export.
   
4. Tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner and select 'Generate Report'.
   
5. Tap on the menu button located in the top right-hand corner.
   
6. Enter an email address and press 'send'. The report will be a PDF file attached to your email.
   

The general health module enables you to record details of any allergies or reactions you have to medicines, your health conditions, measurements and tests, and contact details for your health professionals. 

How do I create a new record?

1. Tap on the 'General Health’ module.
   
2. Tap into the sub-module (eg, Allergies & Reactions) you want to create a new record for.
   
3. Tap on the ‘+’ symbol to create a blank record
   
4. Fill in your details and tap ‘done’ to save.
   

How do I edit a record?

1. Tap on the 'General Health’ module.
   
2. Tap into the relevant sub-module (eg,. Allergies & Reactions).
   
3. Tap on the record you want to edit.
   
4. Edit your allergy details and tap the back-arrow to save changes.
   

How do I delete a record?

1. Tap on the 'General Health’ module.
   
2. Tap into the relevant sub-module (eg, Allergies & Reactions).
   
3. Swipe to the left over the record you want to remove and select 'delete'.
   

Can I back up my information?

When you are logged into your MedicineWise app account, your information will be automatically backed up against your account in the secure MedicineWise cloud system.

Can I sync my information across multiple smart devices?

Yes. If you log into your MedicineWise app account on multiple devices (ie,smartphones, tablets), your information will be synchronised to each of these devices.

How do I add in notes?

1. Tap on the 'Notes’ module.
   
2. Tap on the '+' symbol.
   
3. Fill in the details for your note and tap 'done' to save changes.
   

How do I edit my notes?

1. Tap on the 'Notes’ module.
   
2. Tap on the note you would like to edit.
   
3. Tap on the required fields and edit the text.
   
4. Tap the back-arrow on the top left-hand corner of the screen to save changes.
   

How do I delete my notes?

1. Tap on the 'Notes’ module.
   
2. Tap on 'Health Professionals'.
   
3. Swipe to the left over the note you would like to remove and select 'delete'.