About

1300 MEDICINE is a free service funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (Department) staffed by registered pharmacists. 1300 MEDICINE is available to answer your medicine-related questions and receive reports of adverse reactions to medicines and vaccines.

The service is currently managed and operated by Australian Healthcare Associates Pty Ltd (AHA) on behalf of the Department.  AHA is Australia’s largest specialist health and human services consulting firm, with extensive experience in the pharmacy sector.

Further information about AHA can be found at www.ahaconsulting.com.au.

The 1300 MEDICINE service was previously delivered by NPS MedicineWise.  NPS MedicineWise discontinued operations in December 2022, with AHA commencing delivering the 1300 MEDICINE service in January 2023 following a competitive tender process.

You can access the service by calling 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) from anywhere in Australia. There is no service or consultation fee, with calls charged according to your phone carrier’s standard rate.

The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AET (closed on NSW public holidays).

The National Relay Service (NRS) is available to help callers with a hearing or speech impairment.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is available (24 hours, 7 days) for callers who speak languages other than English.

When you call 1300 MEDICINE, you will speak directly to a registered pharmacist and can enquire about a variety of medicines information, including:

• how a medicine works
• how to take medicines
• side effects associated with that medicine
• interactions of the relevant medicine with other medicines
• a medicine and its usage during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• medicines for children
• storage of medicines
• how to obtain consumer medicine information (CMI) for prescription medicines
• reliable services and support organisations, e.g. support organisations for people with a specific health condition
• the quality use of medicines and provision of information that is independent, evidence-based, appropriate and safe; and
• responsible use of medicines by increasing public awareness about medicines.

You can also call 1300 MEDICINE if you have experienced an adverse medicine event (AME) or adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) to request that the 1300 MEDICINE team lodge a report to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on your behalf.

Please note that 1300 MEDICINE can not be used for emergency services, medical advice, or to receive second opinions on medicines recommended by health professionals. Information provided by 1300 MEDICINE does not replace advice received from your doctor or pharmacist.

1300 MEDICINE is bound by and observes all obligations it may have under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 in respect of collection, storage and use of your personal information. Read the 1300 MEDICINE Privacy Policy or speak to one of our pharmacists for more information.