New Medicines information website launched

A new website which provides a one stop shop for health professionals seeking information about medicines has just been launched. The New Zealand Universal List of Medicines (NZULM) is a dictionary of trusted, standardised information about medicines covering medicines approved for supply in New Zealand as well as products listed in PHARMAC's Pharmaceutical Schedule which fall outside of this category. It also includes medicines imported under Section 29 of the Medicines Act.

It is free to use and can be accessed through the website address www.nzulm.org.nz . It is also accessible via iPhone/iPod Touch application, and through participating prescriber and pharmacy software solutions (e.g. general practice, community pharmacy or hospital systems) and medicines information resources.

The NZULM includes information such as the generic name and other names for the medicine and the make-up of a medicine, including ingredients, strengths, forms (e.g. tablets, lotion eye drops etc.), and pack sizes. In addition, it includes the subsidy, legal classification, manufacturer and supplier information and links to the detailed Medsafe datasheets and consumer information. All this information is held in standard form and is designed to be compatible with electronic systems that are currently used in the sector e.g. prescribing systems, pharmacy systems, claiming and analysis systems.

There are no changes to the roles of Medsafe, PHARMAC or the Pharmacy Guild. The site provides links through to the Pharmac schedule and the Medsafe websites for more information about specific medicines as required.

NZULM information is continuously updated under strict quality assurance processes.

Links referenced

www.nzulm.org.nz: http://www.nzulm.org.nz/

Location http://www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm/1,196,763,0,html