Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS): 1300 138 677
For general practitioners, pharmacists and other community-based health professionals
The Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS) has been in operation for three years and to date has received more than 15 000 enquiries. The majority of callers were community pharmacists (44%) and general practitioners (39%). The most commonly asked questions were about drug interactions, adverse reactions and therapeutic options.
Information is provided by expert drug information specialists. The service operates Australia-wide, Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm (EST) for the cost of a local call.
Medicines Line: 1300 888 763
For consumers
TAIS is complemented by Medicines Line, a medicines information hotline for consumers. Medicines Line was launched in September 2002 and receives approximately 1000 calls every month.
Statistics show that most callers are females aged 24–64; 25% of callers ask for information on behalf of a child, partner or parent. Questions often reflect what is being reported in the media at the time and are focused on adverse reactions, interactions, and to a lesser extent the mechanisms of action of medicines. Questions are most commonly related to antidepressants, antihypertensives and complementary medicines.
Information is provided by expert drug information specialists. The service operates Australia-wide, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm (EST) for the cost of a local call.
