You and your healthcare products
Healthcare products are a part of everyday life
They include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, complementary healthcare products and other medical products. Over-the-counter medicines and complementary healthcare products can be purchased without prescription in a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, and include cough/cold products, vitamins and herbals, mouthwash and sunscreen. Other medical products available in pharmacies and supermarkets include wound dressings, tampons and condoms.
Consumers expect that the healthcare products they purchase are safe, effective and of high quality.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is the part of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing responsible for ensuring that healthcare products available in Australia are of an acceptable standard.
Most healthcare products must be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). An AUST R or AUST L number on a label shows that the healthcare product has been included on the ARTG.
An AUST R number shows that a product has been assessed for safety, quality and effectiveness. AUST L numbers are given to lower risk products used for minor health complaints or health maintenance. However some products, for example condoms, tampons and anti-dandruff shampoos, are exempt from displaying an AUST R or AUST L number.
Always read labels carefully
Labels contain important information to help you select products that are suitable for you and understand how to use products correctly.
The label tells you what you are buying, what the product can do for you and how you can use it to get the best results.
Labels also include information on use-by (expiry) dates and correct storage conditions, as well as contact details for the sponsor or supplier of the product.
Always take note of any precautions or warnings on the label. Some healthcare products are not suitable for use by children, pregnant women, breast feeding mothers, or individuals with certain medical conditions, and you should not use medicines that have been prescribed for others.
Your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional can provide you with valuable advice to help you select and correctly use healthcare products.
Many medicines have "Consumer Medicine Information" leaflets (CMI). CMI contain easy to understand information about medicines. These are available on request from pharmacists, doctors, manufacturers or the National Prescribing Service Medicines Line (1300 888 763).
Tamper-evident packaging
Many manufacturers now use tamper-evident packaging for healthcare products.
Tamper-evident packaging has features that help you identify packaging that may have been inappropriately opened or tampered with.
Some examples of commonly used tamper-evident packaging features are:
- distinctive wrap-arounds that cover the entire package;
- stick down seals on the tops of bottles or end of packs;
- foil encased tablets or capsules;
- two piece breakaway caps or lids; and
- caps with tear-off pull tabs.
If the tamper-evident feature has been inappropriately opened or damaged, do not use any of the product. Bring it to the attention of the pharmacist or shopkeeper as soon as possible.
Child-resistant packaging
Child-resistant packaging is required for some healthcare and household products.
This packaging is designed to be difficult for children to open and so can help prevent accidental poisoning.
Child-resistant packaging is different from tamper-evident packaging.
Always ensure that child-resistant closures are replaced properly and firmly tightened. But remember that child-resistant packaging is only difficult, not impossible, for children to open.
Storage of healthcare products
Follow the advice on the label, so that your healthcare products will remain effective until their use-by dates.
Heat and dampness can badly affect some healthcare products. Do not store these products in the bathroom, near a sink, on window sills or in the car. Some products may need to be stored in the refrigerator.
Keep all healthcare products in their original packs. Medicines should be stored in a locked cupboard (unless refrigeration is required).
Read the label for any special storage requirements.
Expired or unwanted healthcare products
Always check the use-by date on the label. Do not use the product after this date.
Healthcare products that have passed their use-by date might not be effective and could be harmful.
Do not keep healthcare products that are no longer needed or have passed their use-by date.
Take these products to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Some healthcare and other common household products can be dangerous if accidentally swallowed or come into contact with the skin.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Urgent medical attention may be needed.
More Information
For more information about the safe use of healthcare products, talk with your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional, or contact the National Prescribing Service Medicines Line on 1300 888 763.
For more information on Consumer Medicine Information, visit:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/nmp-consumers-cmi.htm-copy2
This brochure has been produced as a community service by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (http://www.tga.gov.au), in conjunction with industry and pharmacy stakeholders and consumers, and with the generous support of State and Territory Health Departments, the pharmacy profession and the therapeutic goods industry.
Hard copies of this brochure are available from the TGA. Please call 1800 020 653 (free call, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm AEST) to request a copy.