The Consumer Medicines Line – also known as the adverse medicine events line – will close when the current funding agreement ends on 30 July 2026.
This service has provided medicines information and helped consumers to report suspected adverse events from medicine use. It is not an emergency support line.
After 30 July 2026, there are trusted services to help you get advice about your medicines and report side effects. In an emergency, call 000.
For the general public
Where can I get advice about my medicines?
Contact your regular health professional first. Your GP, nurse practitioner, midwife or community pharmacist knows your medical history and can:
- discuss your needs and answer your questions about medicines
- help you report any adverse events after you used a medication or got a vaccination
- assess whether any medication adjustments are needed
This supports safe, coordinated care and shared decision making.
Your GP can also refer you to the Home Medicines Review (HMR) Program. This is a free service, where a pharmacist visits you at home to help you better understand and manage the medicines you take.
If you cannot reach your usual provider call 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422) any time, 7 days a week.
You will speak with a registered nurse who can guide you to the most appropriate care, including:
- self‑care at home
- seeing a GP or pharmacist
- visiting a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
- attending an emergency department if needed.
You can also access information online or through the 1800MEDICARE app.
You can also use these trusted sources:
- healthdirect Medicines Information
- Medicine Finder
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods
- medsinfo.com.au
You can report side effects or problems with medicines directly to the TGA. Your usual healthcare provider can assist you to report suspected adverse events or safety issues, and assess whether any medication adjustments are needed.
For pregnancy, breastfeeding and baby medicines advice contact:
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436, 7 am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week
- MotherSafe in New South Wales and other state-based medicines information services.
What do I need to know about my medicines?
When you are prescribed a new medicine, ask your prescriber:
- How will it help me?
- How do I take it and for how long?
- How does this interact with any other medicines I might use (including over-the-counter and complementary medicines)?
- What are the risks?
- What else can I do?
- Will I need tests or check‑ups?
You can find out more about the safe use of medicines including using them as directed, knowing what to do if you travel and how to dispose of them safely.
I used the Consumer Medicines Line – what will happen to my data?
Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) has operated the Consumer Medicines Line since 2023. It has provided an important service to many Australians.
AHA will continue to be responsible for ensuring your privacy and maintaining controls over access to any health information relating to your previous calls to the Consumer Medicines Line.
If you have any questions about storage or access to your records, email AHA on 1300medicine@aha.com.au.
For health professionals
How do I report adverse events?
Health professionals should report suspected adverse events or safety issues to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Reports can be made about:
- medicines
- vaccines
- medical devices.
Learn more about Reporting adverse events for health professionals, including the Adverse Event Management System (AEMS) and other reporting options.
Timely reporting supports national safety monitoring and helps identify emerging risks.
Where can I get clinical support and information?
Health professionals can use trusted medicines information websites for clinical guidance.
Where can I learn more?
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care provides a professional development module called Safety through adverse event reporting – share the responsibility.
The module supports best practice in adverse event reporting. It is part of a series of free Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) courses.