Dual labelled medicines begin transition to sole medicine ingredient names soon

Changes to dual labelling period for some dual labelled ingredient names

Currently some medicine ingredient names must be dual labelled on labels and Product Information (PI) and Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) documents. This means labels display both the old and new ingredient name. This was to allow people to become familiar with the new names. We chose the new names because they are recognised internationally.

The dual labelling period for most dual labelled names will end on 30 April 2023.  Medicine sponsors have 3 years to update labels to show only the new name for these ingredients.

For some ingredient names dual labelling will continue for longer. These names were identified during consultation with health professionals and others who wanted more time. For more information about the transition to sole names see Dual labelled medicine ingredient names start the transition to sole names on 30 April 2023.

For health professionals

Medicines with labels using only the sole ingredient name will start to appear on shelves over time after the end of the dual labelling periods. For example, medicines containing ‘lidocaine (lignocaine)’ will begin to appear as containing ‘lidocaine’ sometime after 30 April 2023.

Take care when prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines to make sure that the right product is selected.

We have more information to help health professionals understand ingredient names on medicine labels as they transition to show new names only.

For consumers

If you see an ingredient name you don’t recognise, or have questions about ingredients in medicines, speak to your health professional.