5 years ago
ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MEDICINES
EMMA MCBRIDE MP
Emma McBride, a Member of Parliament and a pharmacist, is urging everyone to ask questions about the medicines they are taking during annual Be Medicinewise Week which runs from 19 to 25 August.
“This year’s Be Medicinewise Week theme is ‘getting to know the language of medicines’.
“It is all an important reminder to ask questions about your medicines and to better understand how to use them safely,” Ms McBride said.
Research from the NPS MedicineWise indicates that nearly three quarters of Australians taking medicines on a regular basis are not keeping a complete record of what they take.
“According to the survey only about one in three people who regularly take two or more medicines actually keep a list of all their prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicine,” Ms McBride said.
“Keeping a complete list of everything you take can protect you from double-ups and from medicines interacting with each other.
“Changes made in the 2018-19 Federal Budget mean medicines will soon be prescribed by their active ingredient – not a brand name.
“So rather than remembering the brand name of your prescription medicine it will be important to learn the active ingredient.
“If you are unsure about the medicines you are taking, their active ingredients and how to take them safely, ask your local pharmacist for help,” Ms McBride said.
NPS MedicineWise CEO and pharmacist Adj A/Prof Steve Morris said there are some simple ways people can keep themselves safe with their medicines.
“Know all the medicines you take and why you take them, understand the instructions of how to take a medicine, check with your health professional before starting a new medicine, and ask if you have any questions,” said Mr Morris.
“This year’s Be Medicinewise Week theme is ‘getting to know the language of medicines’.
“It is all an important reminder to ask questions about your medicines and to better understand how to use them safely,” Ms McBride said.
Research from the NPS MedicineWise indicates that nearly three quarters of Australians taking medicines on a regular basis are not keeping a complete record of what they take.
“According to the survey only about one in three people who regularly take two or more medicines actually keep a list of all their prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicine,” Ms McBride said.
“Keeping a complete list of everything you take can protect you from double-ups and from medicines interacting with each other.
“Changes made in the 2018-19 Federal Budget mean medicines will soon be prescribed by their active ingredient – not a brand name.
“So rather than remembering the brand name of your prescription medicine it will be important to learn the active ingredient.
“If you are unsure about the medicines you are taking, their active ingredients and how to take them safely, ask your local pharmacist for help,” Ms McBride said.
NPS MedicineWise CEO and pharmacist Adj A/Prof Steve Morris said there are some simple ways people can keep themselves safe with their medicines.
“Know all the medicines you take and why you take them, understand the instructions of how to take a medicine, check with your health professional before starting a new medicine, and ask if you have any questions,” said Mr Morris.