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Prescription medicines

What you need to know about the cost and safety of prescription drugs.

No matter how healthy you are, chances are you've taken prescription drugs at some point in your life. All too often, we get the doctor's prescription filled at the chemist and pop the pills without much further ado. But there are some important considerations to make about cost and safety - such as the price of generics versus branded drugs, and the dangers of mixing medicines.

Meet the medicines team

Articles

Nurofen Plus, Panadeine no longer sold without prescription The reclassification of low-dose codeine medications means they'll no longer be available over the counter.

Prices cut for 1400 medications New medications are now eligible for the government's PBS subsidy.

Nurofen offers $3.5m settlement in class action "Specific pain" products were sold for twice the price despite having the same active ingredient as ordinary Nurofen.

Another case of medicine tampering linked to earlier recall of Valium NSW Police is currently investigating.

Medicine tampering leads to widespread recall of Valium Police investigation currently underway.

Nurofen to pay record fine after High Court appeal rejected $6 million fine issued for misleading Nurofen Specific Pain products.

80,000 defective EpiPens recalled by TGA Sabotages release of adrenaline.

Nurofen fined $6m for pain relief products CHOICE calls for even bigger penalties after Reckitt Benckiser fine increased for 'targeted pain relief' claims.

New look medicine labels to hit shelves 8 September 2016 | Changes to labels on medicine packaging designed to help consumers.

Panadol targeted pain range discontinued 20 July 2016 | Panadol stops producing Back & Neck range after Nurofen fine.

Nurofen to pay $1.7m for misleading pain relief claims Penalty falls well below ACCC's $6m target.

Paracetamol, aspirin to be removed from PBS 4 November 2015 | A number of common over-the-counter medicines will no longer be subsidised as prescription drugs.

Antidepressants and painkillers a risky combo 3 September 2015 | Could taking both antidepressants and NSAID painkillers increase your risk of bleeding in the brain?

Discount drugs – supermarkets vs pharmacies You might think supermarkets would be cheaper than pharmacies, but is that always the case?

Could the TPP weaken the PBS? 16 June 2015 | Latest leak reveals that pharmaceutical companies could dispute decisions made by independent experts if their drug isn't listed.

Paracetamol no better than placebo for certain pain 16 April 2015 | A recent review finds no evidence that paracetamol is effective for osteoarthritis and low back pain.

Generic vs branded drugs: What's the difference? Generic prescription medications are the same as their branded counterparts in terms of efficacy and safety, but they can save you a lot of money.

Contaminated Children's Panadol recalled 20 May 2016 | Parents have been urged to stop use of the product immediately due to risks of allergic reaction.

Drug company influence on GPs How much influence do drug companies have on what your GP prescribes you?

Fasting diets may affect medication 13 March 2015 | Taking your medicine on an empty stomach could alter its action or have unwanted side effects.

Foods and medications that don't mix Some food and drugs out there should never be taken together

How to deal with the ongoing EpiPen shortage There's no end in sight to the shortage.

Nurofen's targeted pain products under fire 5 March 2015 | ACCC takes Reckitt Benckiser to court over its pain killers which claim to target specific pain.

Pain relief drugs: Panadol and Nurofen Are Panadol and Nurofen any better than generic paracetamol and ibuprofen, and can they target specific pain?

Save money on medicine Does the cost of medicine make you feel ill? Reduce your costs with these simple tips.

The dangers of mixing medicines How medication mix-ups can cost money and lives.

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The prescription medicines team

Our experts don't like seeing people being ripped off unnecessarily by overpriced drugs, or fooled by the marketing tactics of drugs companies. They've got you looked after.