Get to know your medicines

COTA, in partnership with the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), delivers free medicines information sessions to Australian seniors. These interactive sessions show you how to get the best results from your medicines, avoid mix-ups and get reliable information. The sessions are delivered to seniors groups, clubs and organisations by trained peer educators.

NPS is a non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing. NPS produces a number of resources to help you with your medicines.

	Chronic pain NPS and Arthritis NSW have developed a booklet to help you manage your arthritis pain, in consultation with your doctor and other health professionals. The booklet includes a pain diary to help you track your levels of pain. An information brochure about arthritis pain is also available in traditional Chinese script.
	Medicines List The Medicines List is a handy tool you can use to record the medicines you take. Keep your medicines list up-to-date and bring it with you when you visit the doctor. Some of the most important things you need to know — what your medicine is for, how much to use and when to use it — are on the medicines list.
	Type 2 Diabetes NPS and Diabetes Tasmania have developed a series of short videos on diabetes about the condition, how it is managed and how to keep yourself in the best possible health.
	MedicinesTalk Written by consumers for consumers, MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter that gives you reliable, accurate information and useful hints on managing your medicines.

You can access all NPS resources on their website here

How do I organise a session booking?

Call COTA Victoria

Telephone: 03 9655 2125
Fax: 03 9654 4456
Email: involved@cotavic.org.au

Why is learning about medicines important?

More than 70% of Australians use medicines at any one time and around 140,000 visits to hospitals each year are medicines related, many due to a lack of information about the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM).

QUM means selecting management options wisely, choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary, and using medicines safely and effectively. Medicines include those available on prescription, medicines available over the counter, many traditional medicines and herbal remedies.

Why do COTA organizations and NPS work together?

NPS and COTA organisations work in partnership combining Quality Use of medicines expertise with an understanding of the needs and interests of seniors in Australia. NPS develops training materials and COTA organisations recruit and train Peer Educators to deliver sessions with the community.

What happens at the sessions?

A trained Peer Educator will lead participants through information about medicines, using interactive activities and encouraging feedback and questions.

Participants receive handouts to take home to assist them in managing their medicines and talking with their pharmacist and doctor.

How long are the sessions?

The sessions last for up to one hour.

Free information sessions from Council on the Ageing (COTA) organisations and National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS)

Our free information sessions cover a range of topics. This latest ‘Brand name or generic medicine – choosing wisely’ complements introductory sessions about Quality Use of Medicines.

About NPS and COTA organisations

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines. We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and well-being. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

To find out more go to Web: www.nps.org.au

The COTA organisations have a pre-eminent role in representing, advocating and responding to the needs and interests of seniors though out Australia. COTA organisations are in each state and territory in Australia.