Australia uses international non-proprietary names, with some differences from what you may be used to:
- Adrenaline (not epinephrine) and noradrenaline.
- Paracetamol (not acetaminophen). Common brand: Panadol.
- Salbutamol (brand Ventolin), used with a spacer.
- Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) for angina.
- Older Australian spellings were replaced: frusemide is now furosemide, lignocaine is lidocaine, cephalexin is cefalexin, amoxycillin is amoxicillin.
Brands vs generics:
- PBS scripts must include the active ingredient name.
- Pharmacists can substitute a bioequivalent brand unless the prescriber ticks "brand substitution not permitted".
Things you will not find: many Indian fixed-dose combinations, nimesulide and metamizole. Codeine products are prescription-only (since 2018). Oral rehydration solution is sold as brands such as Hydralyte and Gastrolyte.
Always use the generic name in exam answers.