According to Magnetic Island pharmacist, Alan Patterson, "Every year thousands of Australians are hospitalised because of problems with their medicines. Studies have shown more than 69 per cent of these cases could have been avoided."

Alan's comments come before the start of Ask your Pharmacist Week (September 25 -30) in which pharmacists are promoting the services they can provide beyond the dispensing of medications.

During the week Alan and the Pharmacy's staff will be promoting some of the health and community services they provide, including free advice and counselling about health and medicine management, written medicine information (known as Consumer Medicine Information or CMI) and other services such as Webster Packing medication (Dose Administration Aids).

The staff at Magnetic Island Pharmacy can provide you with more detailed information about the medicines you are taking. They are knowledgeable about the benefits you might expect from your medicines, and any unwanted side effects that may occur. They can also print out Consumer Medicine Information leaflets for the prescription medicines that you take.

Consumer Medicine Information is printed information on what the medicine is for, what to do before you take or use it, how to take or use it, and whether unwanted side effects may occur. This is important for people starting new medications or for those who take medicine regularly.

Dose Administration Aids are special pill containers that store your medicines in a series of compartments. You can organise your medicines yourself, or take them to your local pharmacist to organise. This will help you take the right dose of the right medicine at the right time.

Magnetic Island Pharmacy in the Foodworks supermarket complex on Sooning Street Nelly Bay will be available for any enquiries regarding this article or any other health related issues such as Asthma, Weight Loss, Quitting Smoking or Type 2 Diabetes during Ask Your Pharmacist Week or any other convenient time.