Consumer Medicines Line to cease operations

The Consumer Medicines Line (1300 633 424) will cease operations when the current funding agreement with the provider ends on 30 July 2026.

This service has provided medicines information and assisted consumers to report suspected adverse events. It is not an emergency support line.

Closure of the service supports a broader approach to strengthen primary care in Australia. It reflects a focus on continuity of care and shared decision-making between consumers and their regular healthcare professionals. This means consumers get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, through services that are connected and centred on the patient. 

The department has published information on its website to help consumers find alternative information following the closure. For questions about taking medicines safely, including suspected side effects, consumers should contact their regular healthcare provider first. 

I encourage organisations to review and update their public-facing materials, websites, referral processes, and internal guidance documents to ensure they no longer refer consumers to the Consumer Medicines Line.

Consumers to contact their GP, community pharmacist or healthcare provider

Consumers are encouraged to consult with their regular general practitioner, nurse practitioner, midwife or community pharmacist as their primary source of information about medicines. Where access to their usual health professional is not available, consumers can contact:

• 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422)
  • Available 24 hours a day. Registered nurses provide advice and help consumers find the right service.
• Overview of adverse event reporting for medicines
• Report an adverse event or safety problem

For suspected adverse events from medicine use or following vaccination, consumers and health professionals can report directly to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Guidance is available for both consumers and health professionals:

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care offers an online learning module for health professionals to report adverse events associated with medicines and vaccines. Health professionals learn about the need for reporting, the details to be reported and how to complete a report. The course can be found at: QUM Learning: Safety through adverse event reporting - share the responsibility.

For further advice, guidance and information please see the Consumer Medicines Line closure website.