Be Medicinewise Week: online media briefing

Journalists and health writers are invited to join an online media briefing from NPS MedicineWise at 11:00am AEST on Monday 19 August to be the first to hear new survey findings that show how many Australians are putting themselves at risk by not keeping a complete record of all the medicines they take.

The YouGov Galaxy survey was commissioned by NPS MedicineWise for Be Medicinewise Week (19-25 August), an annual campaign to help Australians get the most out of their medicines, safely.

Media representatives attending the briefing will hear how and why Australians need to get up to speed with ‘the language of medicines’, which includes knowing and recording the active ingredient of your medicine, keeping a list of all your medicines (not just some), and seeking good, evidence-based advice from a health professional.

Two pharmacists working in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities around Australia will also share their experiences, stories and tips for safe and effective medicines use. The media briefing panel includes:

• Dr Jill Thistlethwaite – NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and general practitioner
  Jill is a general practitioner with over 25 years’ experience as a health professional education consultant. She has previously worked in academia and is regularly invited to speak and facilitate at global health professional events, with her PhD in medical education. In this media briefing, Jill will present the new YouGov Galaxy survey findings and talk about the implications of these trends and behaviours in terms of safe and effective use of medicines. Jill will also talk about the work NPS MedicineWise undertakes year-round to help Australians ‘get to know the language of medicines’, including really practical ways people can keep themselves safe.

• Veronica Nou – community pharmacist in western Sydney
  Veronica is the proprietor of Morris Care Pharmacy and Colyton Centre Pharmacy in western Sydney serving culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Veronica combines her passion for pharmacy with her advocacy for people of CALD heritage, especially those seeking asylum.

• Hannah Mann – community pharmacist in the Kimberley
  Hannah is the founder of Kimberley Pharmacy Services with three sites in the Kimberley, serving patients in 28 Aboriginal communities in the region. Hannah’s focus is providing culturally appropriate medication education and to promote quality use of medicines by supporting a medication education model of informed and empowered patients.