What are medicines?

Medicines are products used to prevent, alleviate or cure diseases. They can also be used to influence bodily functions. 

Types of medicines

There are different groups of medicines, including:

Generic drugs and biosimilars: They contain the same active ingredient, work in the same way, and are used to treat the same disease as an already known medicine but are usually cheaper.

Vaccines: These help the body to protect itself against certain diseases.

Herbal medicines and homeopathic medicines: Medicines based on plants or homeopathic principles.

Recombinant proteins: Medicines produced using biotechnology.

Cell and tissue products: Products consisting of human or animal cells or tissues that are used for medical purposes.

Veterinary medicines: Medicines developed specifically for animals.

Use of medicines

This section explains how to use medicines correctly:

• Taking medicines: How and when to take a medicine.
• Interactions: What happens when you take several medicines at the same time – they can influence each other.
• Instructions for use: The package insert contains important information on use, side effects and storage.
• Black triangle: A symbol on the packaging that indicates that the medicine is subject to special monitoring.
• Visually impaired persons: Information on the accessible design of medicines.
• Off-label use: When a medicine is used outside of its approved areas of application.
• Prescription only: Some medicines may only be dispensed with a doctor's prescription.
• Driving ability: Some medicines may impair driving ability.
• Allergy: Information for people with allergies.
• Doping: Information on the use of medicines in sport.
• Shelf life and storage: How long a medicine can be kept and how to store it correctly.
• Disposal: How to dispose of medicines in an environmentally friendly way.

Which medicines are approved and available in Austria?

All medicines approved and registered in Austria can be viewed at medikamente.basg.gv.at (register of proprietary medicinal products).

Under the tab “Shortages Index,” you can find out which medicines are currently reported as unavailable, as well as the reason and the expected date of restocking.

How can you tell if a product is a medicine?

Medicines have an approval or registration number, which must appear on both the outer packaging and the inner labelling. Each medicinal product is accompanied by an officially approved package leaflet, which also includes the approval or registration number at the end.