Australia's medicine labels are becoming clearer

When you buy prescription and over-the-counter medicines, sunscreens or vitamin supplements, you need important information to help you make an informed choice.

Medicine labels tell you what you are buying, what the medicine can do for you and how to use it.

What is changing under the new labelling rules?

We are changing medicine labels to make important information about your medicine easier to find. These changes are the result of many years of consultation - they bring Australian medicine labels up to date with international best practice.

Active ingredients will be easier to find

The active ingredient is the substance in the medicine that makes it work.

You probably know of paracetamol, ibuprofen or insulin - all of these substances are active ingredients. Under the new labelling rules active ingredients need to be more prominent. You will usually be able to find them below or next to the product name on the front of the medicine pack. Active ingredients will often be in a larger print size on the front label to make them easier to read.

Make sure to look for the active ingredients on your medicine labels so you know what you are taking.

 

Medicine information will be clearer

Most over the counter medicines will have critical health information in distinctive tables to help you use your medicine safely. Over the counter medicines are medicines that you buy without a prescription.

The new rules mean that critical health information will always be displayed in a consistent order and will be easy to recognise.

Always check the critical health information before you take your medicine.

 

More information on the label

Under the new rules more substances that could cause an allergic reaction will need to be included on labels. These substances include crustacea, fish, eggs, soya, milk and tree nuts.

For non-prescription medicines this information will be on the label. For prescription medicines this information must appear on the label or in the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet with a prompt on the pack.

For more information about how allergens will appear on labels, see: Allergies and medicines

 

More room for important information

The new rules include a minimum space for dispensing labels. These are the labels that pharmacists stick on prescription medicines with information from your doctor.

This space makes it easier for the pharmacist to attach the dispensing label without covering up other important information.

 

Hazel has difficulty reading her medicine labels

Hazel takes a number of medicines for her different medical conditions. Before she runs out she always visits the pharmacist to fill her repeat prescriptions.

Previously, when the pharmacist offered Hazel the generic brands, she didn't take them. She was used to taking certain medicine brands and worried that she would accidentally take the same type of medicine twice if it had a different name.

Her pharmacist explains that, under the new labelling rules, the active ingredient for her medicines is in larger letters under the brand name on the front label. Hazel is confident that she will recognise when two medicines have the same active ingredient, even when the packs look different. She knows when to take each medicine and can avoid accidentally taking extras doses of the same ingredient from different brands.

Why are medicine labels changing?

Labelling requirements for Australian medicines were updated after many years of consultation with industry, health professionals and the community. The changes help bring Australian medicine labels up to date and align them with international best practice. They will help Australians to make more informed choices about their medicines and use them more safely.

Kate is highly allergic to tree nuts

Kate wants to try a new medicine to help with her arthritis. She goes to her pharmacy and selects a cream to use on her knee. Under the new labelling rules more allergens, such as tree nuts, have to be disclosed on medicine labels. Kate is quickly able to see that the new medicine contains tree nut products and therefore is not an appropriate choice for her.

Because of the new labelling rules Kate can make a more informed choice for her health.

When are labels changing?

The new labelling rules took effect from 31 August 2016. There was a four-year transition period to allow medicine manufacturers time to update their labels. This means that since 31 August 2016 you may have seen updated medicine labels, but you still see older labels as well. During the transition period both versions were acceptable - manufacturers needed to meet either the old or the new rules.

All medicines made after 31 August 2020 must have labels that meet the new rules. You might still see medicines with old labels after this date, as this stock is gradually sold. You can use medicines with the old or new labels, the medicine inside the package is the same. If you are unsure, check with your health professional.

Dave has a cold

On his way home, Dave buys some cold medicine at the supermarket. He has a headache so when he gets home, he takes his usual pain relief medicine.

Before bed, he wants to take his cold medicine, but when he looks at the label, he recognises that one of the active ingredients is the same as in his usual pain relief. He then checks the critical health information panel on the back of both medicine packs.

He easily finds the warning headings on each and sees that he should not take the cold medication if he has already taken the pain relief medicine.

Dave waits until the next morning to take his cold medicine so that he doesn't take too much of the same active ingredient.

What other information is on my label?

Labels have all sorts of useful information on them. Next time you look at a medicine keep an eye out for: