Consumer Medicines Line closure

Australia’s consumer medicines hotline (Medicines Line; also known as 1300 MEDICINE) closed on 30 July 2026.¹ This telephone service was established by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) in 2002.² Following the closure of NPS MedicineWise (formerly NPS), it was run by Australian Healthcare Associates, with funding from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.³

The Medicines Line was staffed by registered pharmacists who answered consumer questions about medicines and helped consumers report adverse reactions to medicines and vaccines.^1,3 According to the Department, the service received an average of 900 calls per month over the last 2 years.⁴

Consumers are being advised to contact one of their usual healthcare professionals (e.g. general practitioner, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, midwife) when they need information or advice about medicines, vaccines or an adverse event.¹ If they cannot reach a health provider, they can contact 1800 MEDICARE (available 24/7) to speak to a registered nurse who will guide them to the most appropriate care.¹ The Department has also advised that consumers can ask their general practitioner to refer them for a Home Medicines Review.

The Department advises health professionals to continue to report suspected adverse events or safety issues related to medicines, vaccines and medical devices to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Consumers can also continue to report adverse reactions directly to the TGA by completing an online form.¹

 

References

1. Department of Health Disability and Ageing. Consumer Medicines Line closure. 2026. [cited 2026 Jul 9]
2. National Prescribing Service. Aust Prescr 2002;25:115.
3. Dartnell J, Cox D, Dawda P, Hill C. Quality use of medicines: who owns it now? Aust Prescr 2024;47:72–4.
4. Attwooll J. Medications advice phoneline to close. newsGP. RACGP; 2026. [cited 2026 Jul 9]