A new publication from NPS, Medicine Update will review newly listed PBS medicines for a consumer audience, with a quality use of medicines focus. The first Medicine Update discusses lumiracoxib (Prexige) for osteoarthritis and describes some of the evidence comparing it with other NSAIDs.

Medicine Update helps consumers to ask the right questions about new medicines, and helps them compare the potential benefits and harms of a new medicine with other medicines. Health professionals can refer consumers to Medicine Update when consumers ask about a particular new medicine, or when discussing or prescribing a new medicine for the first time. The Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) gives consumers a detailed overview of the medicine's side-effects, contraindications and dosing instructions and should be suggested or supplied in addition to the NPS Medicine Update.

Medicine Update will be available on-line from the NPS website at www.nps.org.au/consumers. Look for forthcoming editions of Medicine Update on other drugs covered by NPS RADAR — the next review will discuss alendronate (Fosamax, Alendro) for fracture prevention in high-risk osteoporosis.