Medication Support vs Medication Management under the NDIS

The terms medication support and medication management are often used interchangeably, but under the NDIS they refer to very different roles.

Medication management is a clinical function. It involves prescribing, reviewing, adjusting, and making decisions about medicines. This work is carried out by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in their clinical roles. It focuses on what medications should be used and how they should be medically managed.

Medication support is non-clinical. It focuses on what happens in everyday life after a medicine has been prescribed. This includes helping participants understand what their medications are for, how and when to take them safely, building routines, recognising potential concerns, and knowing when to seek clinical advice. It does not involve changing medications or making clinical decisions.

Both roles are essential, but they serve different purposes. Clinical medication management ensures the right medicines are chosen. Medication support helps ensure those medicines are actually used safely, consistently, and with confidence in real-world settings.

Clear boundaries between these roles are important for safety, accountability, and quality of care. When medication management and medication support work together, participants benefit from both sound clinical decision-making and practical, day-to-day support that promotes understanding, confidence, and independence.