People sometimes do not take their medicines because their doctor or pharmacist has not given clear instructions, Senior Policy Adviser to the Consumers Health Forum and one of the report s authors, Ms Helen Hopkins, said.
Communication problems can also occur when people leave hospital.
A patient's general practitioner may not know that the hospital has changed the patient's treatment, causing further confusion. However, Ms Hopkins believes there is significant potential for Australians to use their medicines more effectively. A key to this improved health outcome is greater clarity in communication between prescribers and consumers. Australian Prescriber is a national independent review of therapeutic topics, designed to assist health professionals in their duties. The journal provides independent comment no advertising is accepted.