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Patient Medication FAQs

Become a well-informed patient and an active participant in your healthcare plan.

Medicine Safety and You

Medicines can help you get well, avoid illness or reduce symptoms associated with a disease. By learning more about the appropriate and safe use of a medicine, its benefits, and potential side effects, you become an active participant in discussions held with your healthcare team.

There are many ways to become a well-informed patient:

  • Ask your physician what to expect from your medicine: what side effects may occur, whether any follow-up testing or monitoring will be needed and when to expect an improvement
  • Read the label and follow instructions. Pay attention to warnings about serious and minor side effects. Notice instructions concerning mixing medicines and avoiding certain activities while using them
  • Know your medicine - Know the names and dosages of all the medicines you take and the conditions they treat
  • Remember your healthcare history - Inform your physician of prior allergies, sensitivities or side effects experienced
  • Follow the timing and dosage instructions on your prescription - Consult with your physician if you have doubts or concerns
  • Keep track of a medicine’s effects on your body and mind. Write down any changes and consult your physician

How can I contact Teva with questions about my medicine?

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  • Our Customer Services Department can help with enquiries about the supply and availability of the medicine. They can be contacted at 1800 AU TEVA (1800 28 8382) or  customerservice.au@tevapharm.com.

  • Our Medical Information team can also help with certain enquiries about your medicine, for example its appearance, its ingredients, how it works, or provide you with a copy of the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). CMIs are also available to download from the Teva website: http://www.tevapharma.com.au. Please note they are unable to provide any medical advice. They can be contacted on 1800 AU TEVA (1800 28 8382) or via email: medinfo.australia@tevapharm.com.

  • You can also submit a general enquiry via our website at http://www.tevapharma.com.au - just click on ‘Contact Us’ and fill in the short form. 

Why can't I get your Teva medicines in my pharmacy?

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Our products are available through pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacists can order from them directly, to obtain the particular medicine required.

We are unable to confirm which pharmacies in a particular location stock Teva’s medicines.

For further information regarding the availability of a particular Teva medicine please contact our Customer Services Department at 1800 AU TEVA (1800 28 8382).

We do not supply medicines directly to patients and we do not sell our medicines and devices online.

What do I do if I suffer any side effect(s) or adverse event(s) as a result of taking my medication?

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If you think you have suffered a side effect, or an unexpected reaction to taking a medicine, including over the counter medicines or medical devices, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

I have lost the leaflet from my box of medication, where can I get another one?

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All of Teva’s Consumer Medicine Information (CMIs) are available in PDF format from the product area of our website. Just insert the name of your medicine in the search bar, and a list of medicines matching the name you entered will appear, if available to consumers. You can open the tab that matches the name, strength and form of the medicine you are searching for and there you will see the document available to download and print.

If you require further assistance you can contact our Medical Information Department at 1800 AU TEVA (1800 28 8382) or by email: medinfo.australia@tevapharm.com.

Can I ask for Teva medicines from my pharmacist when I have been prescribed a generic medicine?

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You can request a Teva medicine from your doctor or pharmacist. However, it will be at the discretion of your pharmacist or any existing prescribing guidelines, to choose the right medicine for your particular health needs. You should always follow the advice of a healthcare professional.

I am worried that my prescription medicine may interact with some other prescription medications or herbal supplements that I am taking, how do I find out if it is safe to continue taking them?

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There may be information on your consumer medicine information of your prescription medicine that will tell you what you can and cannot take with your medicine. If you are still unsure, we would recommend that you speak to the healthcare professional that prescribed the medication or your pharmacist.

My friend suffers with the same condition as I do, can I give her some of my spare medication?

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Never give another person medicine that has been prescribed for you. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. We would also recommend that you return any unwanted medicine to your local pharmacist who will safely dispose of the medication for you.

The expiry date on my medication says “Do not use after Sept 2018” what does this mean?

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If your medication states this - then it should not be used after the last day of the month stated, in this case 30th September 2018.

What is the difference between prescription medicine and over the counter medicine?

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A Prescription Only Medicine can only be obtained from a pharmacy on presentation of a signed valid prescription from your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.

Over The Counter Medicines (OTC) are sold without a doctor’s prescription, and are often also under the supervision of a pharmacist. However, there may be restrictions on the amount you can buy, depending on the medicine.

I heard that there may be a supply issue with my medication. What do I do if I cannot obtain my regular prescription?

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Check with your pharmacist before your next prescription is due, or contact Teva Customer Service at 1800 AU TEVA (1800 28 8382) or customerservice.au@tevapharm.com. If there is an issue with obtaining your regular Teva medication, then speak to your GP or pharmacist about an alternative supply or treatment.

I do not understand the instructions on how to take my medication, what should I do?

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If you do not understand what has been said to you or the written instructions on the label are unclear, ask your pharmacist to explain it to you again. You can even ask them to write it down for you. Do not worry about asking again, it is important to your health needs to take your medication correctly.

What do I do if I believe my medication is not working properly?

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If you are taking a new medicine, we recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional (nurse, doctor or pharmacist) as soon as possible regarding the expected outcomes of being prescribed this medicine.

If you are on a regular medicine and you notice a change in the effect (you have experienced a return of your symptoms), we recommend that you speak to your doctor about your concerns as soon as possible.

Where can I find your Consumer Medicine Information?

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For Teva products, our Consumer Medicine Information (CMIs) are available to download in our medicine list in this website. If you are still having difficulty or have any questions regarding your medication please contact us at 1800 AU TEVA (1800 28 8382) or via email medinfo.australia@tevapharm.com.

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