Fifty years of Australian Prescriber – continuing a proud tradition of trusted, independent information

When the first issue of Australian Prescriber was published in 1975, its founding editor Dr Robert Hodge and the then Australian Government Minister for Health The Hon Dr Doug Everingham shared a simple but powerful vision – to provide clinicians with independent, practical and reliable information to guide prescribing decisions and improve patient care (Figure 1).¹

That vision remains just as relevant half a century later, but the context in which we practise has changed profoundly since the first issue of Australian Prescriber appeared, with its kaleidoscopic cover (Figure 2).

Handwritten prescriptions and paper records have evolved into digital systems, advanced therapeutics, and a more interconnected, multidisciplinary health workforce. The scope of prescribing has also evolved considerably since 1975, when only medical practitioners were authorised to prescribe. Today a wide range of health professionals – including nurse practitioners, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists and podiatrists – have prescribing rights. The greatly expanded range of drugs now available, alongside this broader prescriber base, makes the quality use of medicines and drug safety more complex than ever, and the need for trusted, evidence-based and balanced information to support sound clinical decisions has never been greater.

In this evolving landscape, Australian Prescriber continues to provide what health professionals need most – trusted, independent, evidence-based information that helps us make sound clinical decisions in the best interests of our patients.

As a clinician, researcher and educator, I have long valued Australian Prescriber as a source of clear, critical and independent guidance – written by colleagues who understand the realities of clinical practice. Australian Prescriber has helped generations of health professionals navigate the complexities of therapeutics, anticipate safety issues, and keep the focus on what matters most – achieving the best outcomes for our patients.

One of the journal's greatest strengths lies in the people behind it. The legion of past and present editors, authors, peer reviewers and advisory committee members together form a remarkable community of practice extending back half a century. Their collective expertise reflects the breadth of Australia's health workforce, from general practice and pharmacy to nursing, dentistry, allied health and specialist medical care. Each contributor has brought their own insights and experiences and, in doing so, helped ensure the journal has remained relevant to all who utilise medicines as part of their professional work.

It is also remarkable to see how far Australian Prescriber has come. From a printed drug bulletin circulated to a small number of clinicians, it has grown into a digital publication with more than 100,000 subscribers, and an audience that now extends well beyond Australia's national border. The podcasts, reviews and commentaries reach clinicians wherever they are – in general practices and other primary care settings, in hospitals and aged-care facilities, and in rural and remote health services; in Australia and around the world.

Since 2023, Australian Prescriber has been published by Therapeutic Guidelines, a not-for-profit organisation with a long history of providing independent, evidence-based recommendations to support safe and effective prescribing. This partnership has ensured the journal's continued independence and strengthened its alignment with the principles of quality use of medicines that underpin Australia's National Medicines Policy.^2,3

This year Australian Prescriber has introduced accreditation of its content for continuing professional development, initially with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. It is now in the process of broadening the accreditation of its content to include other health professional colleges and societies, reflecting the diversity of the journal's readership.

Throughout its growth and transformation, Australian Prescriber's values have remained constant: independence, clarity and a steadfast commitment to the quality use of medicines.⁴ Australian Prescriber continues to complement the work of many national initiatives that promote medicines safety and stewardship, supporting clinicians to use medicines safely in rapidly changing therapeutic environments. 

As we celebrate this golden anniversary, I acknowledge and thank everyone who has contributed to Australian Prescriber over the past 50 years – the editors and editorial teams, the authors and peer reviewers, the members of advisory committees, and of course, the readers who continue to engage with and trust its content.

Looking ahead, Australian Prescriber will continue to evolve alongside the professions it serves. New therapies, new technologies and new models of care will bring both opportunities and challenges. But what will not change is the importance of independent, evidence-based information to support every health professional in making the best decisions for their patients.

That was the vision in 1975, and it remains at the heart of Australian Prescriber today. As we celebrate the past 50 years, we also look forward, confident that the journal will continue to inform, challenge and inspire future generations of health professionals and our shared commitment to safe and effective health care for all.

Conflicts of interest: Michael Kidd is a former Director, and Chair, of Therapeutic Guidelines.

Acknowledgement: The author would like to thank Australian Prescriber Managing Editor Rosie Scott for her input into this editorial.

 

References

1. Hodge RL. Editorial. Aust Prescr 1975;1.
2. Department of Health Disability and Ageing. National Medicines Policy. [cited 2025 Nov 5]
3. Scott R. Australian Prescriber: celebrating 50 years of growth and change. Aust Prescr 2025;48:2.
4. Dowden JS. Australian Prescriber - the first 30 years. Aust Prescr 2005;28:120-2.