Third annual MedsAware campaign gets underway

Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) — in partnership with the Australian Deprescribing Network (ADeN) — today launched its third annual MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week campaign. Running 10–16 March, the 2025 campaign is geared towards empowering safe and sustainable use of medicines.

Designed to create conversations between people, carers and healthcare providers on the risks associated with inappropriate medicine use, to reduce preventable medicines-related harm and keep more Australians safe, well and out of hospital, MedsAware highlights the benefits of deprescribing.

For this year’s campaign, there is a focus on sustainability. With pharmaceuticals making up close to 20% of all of Australia’s healthcare-related greenhouse emissions, MedsAware 2025 seeks to inform about how deprescribing can also positively impact the environment.

“Deprescribing is a ‘win win’ action — reduction in medication misadventure risk and financial cost for patients, and reduction in environmental impact of the manufacture, use and disposal of medicines,” MedsAware 2025 Campaign Ambassador Grace Wong FANZCAP (MedSafety, MedInfo) said.

“I am delighted that the MedsAware 2025 campaign are bringing the benefits of deprescribing for people and the planet to the forefront for consumers and healthcare professionals,” Wong added. “This type of campaign has the potential to drive simple conversations and create change, one small step at a time.”

More information on MedsAware 2025 together with campaign resources is available here, via the AdPha website.

Image credit: iStock.com/cagkansayin