What to ask about your prescription medication

Published September 2024 | 5 min read
Expert contributors Conjoint Associate Professor Carolyn Hullick, chief medical officer of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care; Dr Anju Aggarwal, GP, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Words by Angela Tufvesson

Got a script for a new medication? Ask your GP and pharmacist these key questions to stay informed and manage your health confidently. 

When your GP prescribes a new medication, it’s not always as simple as popping into your local pharmacy to have the prescription filled.

You might be concerned about side effects or unsure whether you’re allowed to drink alcohol or drive a car while you’re taking the medication. Perhaps you’re unsure if generic prescription medication works as well as branded versions. Or you’re concerned about how the new prescription interacts with other medications you’re already taking.

The solution? Talk to your GP and your pharmacist and ask them questions to help you understand the medicine you’re about to take.

“Ask questions of your healthcare professional so you’re taking control of your health,” says Conjoint Associate Professor Carolyn Hullick, chief medical officer of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

“This should happen when your doctor is prescribing or recommending a medicine so you’re clear on exactly how to take it. Follow up with your pharmacist if you’re unsure of anything.”

Here are some useful questions to ask your GP and pharmacist next time you’re recommended a new prescription medication.

1. Generic versus brand medication – what’s the difference?

When you’re offered the choice between a brand-name or generic-brand prescription medication at the chemist, it’s important to understand the difference.

Every medicine has two names: a brand name, which comes from the pharmaceutical company that markets it, and a generic name for the medication, which refers to the medicine’s active ingredient that makes it work.

“The active ingredient refers to the chemical in the medicine that makes it work, but these names are scientific and often quite difficult to remember and pronounce,” says Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick. “Most people know medicines by their brand name, which is more memorable and the name under which a medicine is sold.”

When a pharmaceutical company develops a new active ingredient, it’s granted a patent for a period of time, during which no other company can manufacture and sell a medicine containing the same active ingredient.

“Once a patent expires, other companies can develop their own version of the medicine, known as generic brands. Due to trademark regulations, the packaging and sometimes the medicines themselves are made to look different from each other,” Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick says.

Is there a generic-branded drug available for this prescription medication?

A generic medicine must work in exactly the same way as its brand-name equivalent in terms of how fast it gets into your system and how much of it enters your system. This is known as bioequivalence.

In Australia, the law on this is very strict. A company must pass a range of bioavailability tests to prove the drug has the same bioequivalence as the branded drug.

“Sometimes people feel that the generic medicine may not be as potent or as effective as the branded name. However, there's no difference in the actual drug because the chemical and the quantity are exactly the same,” explains GP Dr Anju Aggarwal from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

Could I be allergic to anything in this prescription medication?

While brand-name and generic medications contain the same active ingredient, other inactive ingredients – like fillers, binding agents and flavours – can differ.

“For some people with allergies or intolerances, it's important to find out more about the inactive ingredients in your medicines, such as lactose, gluten, preservatives, sweeteners and dyes, which can differ between brands,” Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick says.

People with a particular health condition might be advised to stick with the original prescribed brand.

“If your doctor ticks the ‘brand substitution not permitted’ box on the prescription, the pharmacist will know not to offer an alternative brand,” she says. “You can also request your usual brand if you don’t want to change.”

Is my medication on the PBS medication list?

For many drugs, we often pay only part of the cost because the rest is paid for by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The PBS is a government program that subsidises medicines to make them more affordable – but not every medication is listed on the PBS.

“Your GP will be able to tell you the rough cost of the prescription medication and whether it’s on the PBS or not,” explains Dr Aggarwal.

Government regulations prevent private health insurers from paying a benefit towards the cost of drugs that you can receive through the PBS. If "pharmacy" or "vaccines and immunisations" are included on your extras cover, you may be able to claim for some non-PBS listed medicines.

There are a number of exclusions when it comes to what HCF covers; over the counter, reproductive and weight loss medication are a few examples.

Is my medication on the risky medication list?

It’s also a good idea to check if the medication you’ve been prescribed is on the potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) list, which has recently been updated for the first time in 15 years.

PIMs can have high risks of severe adverse effects, drug interactions, increased risk of falls and even death. If your medication is on this list, ask your GP or pharmacist whether there’s a potentially safer option that might be appropriate for you.

What side effects should I look out for when taking this prescription medication?

All medicines have possible side effects, but not everyone will experience them, explains Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick: “It's important to ask questions about side effects and what they mean for you. There may be ways for you to minimise the likelihood of side-effects.”

Starting with a low dose or taking the medication with meals, on an empty stomach or at a particular time of day as advised can help to reduce the likelihood of side effects. It can also be reassuring to know that some side effects settle down after a short while.

“Medications for anxiety and depression, for example, can cause nausea but it usually settles after around one week,” Dr Aggarwal says.

Can I drive on prescription medication? Are there other activities to avoid?

Check with your GP or pharmacist about any activities you should avoid or be careful around while taking the prescription medication. This helps it to work properly and keeps you safe.

Some prescription medications can affect your alertness and brain function. Don't drive if your medication includes a warning label that tells you not to drive and be especially careful while driving when you start taking a new medication as your body may still be getting used to it. The same goes for drinking alcohol.

“Alcohol interacts with many medicines, including some prescription medicines,” Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick says.

Some medications can make it more difficult to exercise, but with a few adjustments, you can usually continue with your exercise routine.

How long should I be taking this prescription medication?

It’s important to know how long you should take your medicine; some medicines are only intended to be taken on a short-term basis. Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick says your pharmacist can help you make a medicine list that keeps all your information about your prescription medication together. It might include how and when to take your medications and get a refill and help your doctor and pharmacist check and review your medications.

Many medications should be stored in the original packaging in a cool, dry place away from sunlight or water – and children’s wandering hands.

Having trouble remembering to take your medication? Conjoint Assoc Prof Hullick suggests taking it with an activity you do at the same time every day, like brushing your teeth, setting an alarm, or using a calendar to check off each dose.