OCTOBER 2002

WHEN TO PROVIDE CONSUMER

MEDICINE INFORMATION....
Pharmacists participating in the Medicines Information to Consumers (MIC) Program are
required to provide Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) to consumers in accordance with
PSA professional standards and guidelines.*

CMI does not need to be provided with every prescription dispensed. In the final analysis,
pharmacists themselves—exercising their professional judgement—will make the decision
whether or not to provide CMI.

According to the PSA guidelines, all counselling on dispensed medicines must be conducted
by a pharmacist.

CMI should generally be provided:

1. When a medicine is first provided to a consumer.

2. On provision of medicine where:

— a significant change to the CMI has been notified by a sponsor; or
— the dosage form has been changed.

3. With each supply of medicine for which there are valid reasons for regular reinforcement
of information. For example, when:
— the medication is teratogenic;
— there are major contraindications to the use of a medicine; or
— the patient has special needs.

4. When the patient requests the information.

5. At regular intervals for medicines used for long term therapy – for example, every six months.

NOTE: As an approved participant in the MIC Program, you also need to promote to consumers
the availability of CMI in your pharmacy.

Patient Counselling. PSA Professional Practice Standards, Version 2 (2002), pp. 22-25.
* Consumer Medicines Information and the Pharmacist. PSA Pharmacy Practice Handbook (2000), pp. 37-38.
Guidelines for Pharmacists on Providing Medicines Information to Patients. PSA Pharmacy Practice Handbook (2000), pp. 39-42.