Listening to any of these podcasts can be recorded (in 30-minute increments) as self-directed CPD learning. RACGP members can use Quick Log to record this activity.

Episode 33: Talking to parents about the COVID vaccine
- 22 Oct 2021
- 24 min 58
- Transcript
Episode 33: Talking to parents about the COVID vaccine
- 22 Oct 2021
- 24 min 58
- Transcript
In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West interviews Professor Julie Leask to discuss the COVID 19 vaccination and it’s availability to children over the age of 12. They discuss the hesitancy some parents have toward the vaccines and how to address the questions parents have. Further resources: National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS): Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation. Talking with parents who have questions. NPS MedicineWise: Talking with hesitant parents and carers about COVID-19 vaccines and their children Consumers Health Forum (CHF): It’s worth the shot. Brief intervention for primary care providers to support community confidence in COVID vaccination |

Episode 32: Champix / Varenicline recall
- 31 Aug 2021
- 6 min 54
- Transcript
Episode 32: Champix / Varenicline recall
- 31 Aug 2021
- 6 min 54
- Transcript
In this episode, NPS MedicineWise educational visitor and pharmacist Kara Joyce interviews NPS MedicineWise medical advisor and GP Dr Anna Samecki to discuss the recent TGA alert around varenicline (marketed as Champix) and the implications for practice.
Further reading
- NPS MedicineWise https://www.nps.org.au/news/stopping-smoking-what-works-for-your-patients
- TGA Varenicline https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/varenicline
- TGA varenicline tartrate – medicine shortage information https://apps.tga.gov.au/Prod/msi/Search/Details/varenicline-tartrate
- NPS MedicineWise podcast Episode 28: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode #1: https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-28-nicotine-scheduling-changes-special-episode-1
- NPS MedicineWise podcast Episode 28: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode # 2 https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-29-nicotine-scheduling-changes-special-episode-2

Episode 31: Medicines safety, health literacy and the National Medicines Policy in a pandemic world
- 19 Jul 2021
- 15 min
- Transcript
Episode 31: Medicines safety, health literacy and the National Medicines Policy in a pandemic world
- 19 Jul 2021
- 15 min
- Transcript
In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by Professor Andrew McLachlan, Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney, to discuss how the COVID pandemic has sparked a growing interest among consumers in medicines and treatments.
They discuss the vital role health professionals play in communicating harms and benefits with consumers.
They also consider why clinicians should take an interest in the upcoming review of the National Medicines Policy, and Steve bids farewell ahead of stepping down as NPS MedicineWise CEO at the end of July.
Further reading
- National Medicines Policy
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/national-medicines-policy - National Medicines Policy 2.0: a vision for the future – Andrew J McLachlan, Parisa Aslani https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/national-medicines-policy-2-0-a-vision-for-the-future
- Medical Journal of Australia - Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: findings from real world studies - David Henry, Mark Jones, Paulina Stehlik and Paul Glasziou
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2021/effectiveness-covid-19-vaccines-findings-real-world-studies - Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety Discussion Paper
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/quality-use-medicines-and-medicines-safety-discussion-paper

Episode 30: New survey results shine a light on health literacy in Australia
- 02 Jul 2021
- 21 min 31
- Transcript
Episode 30: New survey results shine a light on health literacy in Australia
- 02 Jul 2021
- 21 min 31
- Transcript
In this episode about health literacy, NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by health consumer advocate Debra Letica and CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells.
New survey findings have shown that one in five consumers rarely or never felt comfortable asking their doctor, pharmacist or nurse when they needed more information. Steve, Debra and Leanne discuss how health literacy is a fundamental pathway to good healthcare, practical ways health professionals can help consumers feel more in control of their own health care, and why it’s so important to include consumers in shaping health care messages.
Further reading:
- NPS MedicineWise and CHF: New survey results shine a light on health literacy in Australia: https://www.nps.org.au/media/new-survey-results-shine-a-light-on-health-literacy-in-australia
- Consumer Health Literacy Segmentation and Activation Research Project – Final report: https://www.nps.org.au/assets/Consumer-Segmentation-and-Activation-Project_FINAL-Report-28-January-2021.pdf
- A personal journey from a carer to a Choosing Wisely advocate - Debra Letica: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/featured-stories/a-personal-journey-from-a-carer-to-a-choosing-wisely-advocate
- Choosing Wisely - 5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider before you get any test, treatment, or procedure: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5questions

Episode 29: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode #2
- 10 Jun 2021
- 22 min 38
- Transcript
Episode 29: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode #2
- 10 Jun 2021
- 22 min 38
- Transcript
In this second special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast about upcoming scheduling changes to nicotine vaping products, medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Adjunct Professor John Skerritt from the Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG), including the Therapeutic Goods Administration at the Australian Government Department of Health and Professor Nick Zwar, Executive Dean of the Health Sciences and Medicine Faculty at Bond University and Chair of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Expert Advisory Group on smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines.
They provide a brief recap on the new prescribing process for nicotine vaping products that is coming into effect from 1 October 2021 and what GPs need to know about these changes. They also discuss the new standard for prescribing nicotine vaping products and the upcoming RACGP smoking cessation guideline update.
This podcast was developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.
Further reading
NPS MedicineWise podcast Episode 28: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode #1: https://www.nps.org.au/podcast/episode-28-nicotine-scheduling-changes-special-episode-1
TGA: Nicotine e-cigarettes hub (for health professionals):
www.tga.gov.au/nicotine-e-cigarettes
TGA: Standard for unregistered nicotine vaping products:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2021L00595
TGA: Nicotine vaping products and vaping devices – Draft guidance for Therapeutic Goods Order 110 (TGO 110) and related matters:
https://www.tga.gov.au/resource/nicotine-vaping-products-and-vaping-devices
TGA: Nicotine e-cigarettes laws are changing (blog for consumers):
www.tga.gov.au/blogs/tga-topics/nicotine-e-cigarettes-laws-are-changing
NPS MedicineWise news article, access pathways flowchart and links to further information:
www.nps.org.au/professionals/prescribing-nicotine
RACGP Guidelines: Supporting smoking cessation:

Episode 28: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode #1
- 14 May 2021
- 14 min 30
- Transcript
Episode 28: Nicotine scheduling changes – Special episode #1
- 14 May 2021
- 14 min 30
- Transcript
In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast about upcoming scheduling changes to nicotine vaping products, CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris talks with Adjunct Prof John Skerritt and Ms Jenny Francis from the Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG), including the Therapeutic Goods Administration at the Australian Government Department of Health. They discuss the new prescribing process for nicotine vaping products that is coming into effect from 1 October 2021, why the regulation is being changed, which products are being affected, and what prescribers need to do to prepare for this change.
This podcast was developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.
Further reading
NPS MedicineWise news article, access pathways flowchart and links to further information:
www.nps.org.au/professionals/prescribing-nicotine
TGA: Nicotine e-cigarettes hub (for health professionals):
www.tga.gov.au/nicotine-e-cigarettes
TGA: Nicotine e-cigarettes laws are changing (blog for consumers):
www.tga.gov.au/blogs/tga-topics/nicotine-e-cigarettes-laws-are-changing
RACGP Guidelines: Supporting smoking cessation:

Episode 27: Trust as a barrier and facilitator in choosing wisely
- 07 May 2021
- 20 min 23
- Transcript
Episode 27: Trust as a barrier and facilitator in choosing wisely
- 07 May 2021
- 20 min 23
- Transcript
In this episode NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite interviews Dr Robyn Lindner, also from NPS MedicineWise and Executive Sponsor for Choosing Wisely Australia and Tara Montgomery, a public health advocate and communications strategist at Civic Health Partners in the United States. They discuss why the Choosing Wisely initiative has been needed in Australia and how it has been received here, why it’s critical to engage consumers in the campaign, and the role of culture and systems in reducing unnecessary care. Robyn and Tara also talk about the program and themes for the upcoming Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting, to be held as a virtual event on 19 May 2021, including some glimpses into Tara's presentation on trust as a facilitator and barrier in choosing wisely.
Further reading
National Medicines Symposium – 18 May 2021:
Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting – 19 May 2021:

Episode 26: Opioids special #3: Tolerance, dependence and overdose
- 29 Apr 2021
- 34 min 18
- Transcript
Episode 26: Opioids special #3: Tolerance, dependence and overdose
- 29 Apr 2021
- 34 min 18
- Transcript
In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast, NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Dr Hester Wilson, a GP and addiction medicine specialist, and Ms Leah Dwyer, a member of Painaustralia’s Consumer Advisory Group, about the risk of tolerance, dependence and overdose with opioids for chronic non-cancer pain.
This podcast was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health.
Further reading:
Opioids, chronic pain and the bigger picture (NPS MedicineWise resources for health professionals):
https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/opioids-chronic-pain
MedicineWise News: 5 steps to tapering opioids for patients with chronic non-cancer pain
https://www.nps.org.au/news/5-steps-to-tapering-opioids
NPS MedicineWise: Series of communication videos about opioids and chronic non-cancer pain:
https://www.nps.org.au/opioids-communication-videos
NPS MedicineWise: Easy to understand consumer information about opioids and chronic pain
https://www.nps.org.au/consumers/opioid-medicines
TGA Prescription Opioids Hub:
https://www.tga.gov.au/hubs/prescription-opioids
Opioid Calculator, produced by the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FPM ANZCA):
http://www.opioidcalculator.com.au/
Free ‘Better Pain Prescribing’ course from the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FPM ANZCA):
https://www.betterpainmanagement.com/product?catalog=TGA-BPM Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FPM ANZCA)

Episode 25: How do we move towards truly consumer-centred health care?
- 06 Apr 2021
- 20 min 05
- Transcript
Episode 25: How do we move towards truly consumer-centred health care?
- 06 Apr 2021
- 20 min 05
- Transcript
In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris interviews Leanne Wells, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) following the recent CHF Summit - Australasia’s inaugural consumer health summit.
They discuss what health organisations and health professionals need to do fundamentally to move towards truly consumer-centred care, how we build equity in accessibility into digital enhancement and evolution, and the role of health literacy and in particular medicines literacy in helping ensure people don't get left behind.
Steve and Leanne also discuss the challenges and opportunities of virtual conferences, and invite listeners to join two upcoming virtual events: the National Medicines Symposium on 18 May and the 2021 Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting on 19 May.
Further reading:
- A Working Together agreement between CHF and NPS MedicineWise (May 2020): www.nps.org.au/chf-and-nps-medicine-wise-working-together-agreement
- National Medicines Symposium – 18 May 2021: www.nps.org.au/nms2021
- Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting – 19 May 2021: www.choosingwisely.org.au/national-meeting/2021