Understand ingredient names on medicine labels as they transition to show new names only

Most dual labelling ends 30 April 2023 and moves towards new names only

Dual labelling introduced some new ingredient names to Australia. Using both old and new names on medicine labels gave consumers and health professionals time to adjust to the new names. Health professionals should be aware that most dual labelled medicine ingredient names will now start to transition to show only the new name on labels.

Dual labelling ends for most ingredient names on 30 April 2023 and enters a transition period towards showing only new names only on medicine labels. A small set of ingredient names will continue with dual labelling for longer.

For more information see Dual labelled medicine ingredient names start the transition to sole names on 30 April 2023.

Medicine labels will start to show sole names after 30 April 2023

Changes to medicine labels take time. We allow medicine sponsors time to update labels to support the medicine’s availability in the community. New labels appear gradually as new stock is distributed, and existing stock is sold.

Medicines with labels using only the sole ingredient name will start to appear on shelves over time after the end of the dual labelling periods. For example, medicines containing ‘lidocaine (lignocaine)’ will begin to appear as containing ‘lidocaine’ sometime after 30 April 2023.

Updating medicine ingredient names involves updating the names of ingredients contained in medicines, not the trade names of medicines. Trade names do not have to be updated but medicine sponsors may voluntarily update trade names to avoid confusion.

Take care when prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines to make sure that the right product is selected.

Remind patients and consumers to speak to a doctor or pharmacist:

• if they see an ingredient name they don’t recognise
• if they have questions about ingredients in medicines.