Useful Links
Online search for medicinal products
The details of all medicinal products authorised in Austria can be obtained from our "Austrian Medicinal Product Index".
Emergency call for deaf or speech-impaired people
By fax or SMS to 0800 133 133
By e-mail:
By application (Deaf Emergency Call) DEC112 on your smartphone.
Source: Polizei
Pharmacy call 1450
The pharmacy call 1455 has been integrated into the telephone health advice service 1450. Therefore, please dial 1450 from now on to quickly and unbureaucratically obtain information on the nearest pharmacy on duty.
By calling 1450, every caller receives information about medicines quickly and unbureaucratically at local rates. When pharmaceutical questions arise, callers are connected directly to the pharmacist. Most questions concern the correct intake or use of the medication as well as interactions and side effects.
Originally, this service was developed for blind and visually impaired people. They are often concerned with the legibility of package inserts or the dosage of the drug.
The pharmacy call is available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Source: Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists
Reimbursement code
Pursuant to Section 31 (3) (12) ASVG, the Hauptverband der österreichischen Sozialversicherungsträger (Federation of Austrian Social Insurance Institutions) is obliged to issue aSocial Insurance Reimbursement Code for the supply of medicinal products for the account of a social insurance institution in the established sector. That list includes proprietary medicinal products authorised, reimbursable and secured in Austria.
Source: The Reimbursement Code online
Patient Safety Platform
An independent national network, to which all relevant institutions and experts of the Austrian health system belong, who deal with patient safety and quality assurance.
The primary goal is the networking of experts and the raising of awareness on topics related to patient safety and quality in health care.
Source: Patient Safety Platform
"Medicine & Reason" Initiative
The Arznei & Vernunft initiative is a joint project of the umbrella organization of Austrian social insurance institutions, Pharmig (Association of Pharmaceutical Companies), the Austrian Medical Association and the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists.
The aim is to promote an even more sensible approach to medicines at all levels of the healthcare system.
Available at: https://www.aerztekammer.at/arznei-und-vernunft
Patient advocate/care advocate
The patient/carer advocates are independent and non-discretionary institutions for safeguarding the rights and interests of patients and people in need of care.
Accessibility: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/gesundheitsleistungen/institutionen/patientenanwalt.html
Information for patients from the EMA - European Medicines Agency
General page on the involvement of patients and consumers in the activities of the Agency:
EMA interaction with patients and consumers
To the website of the working group for patients and consumers:
European Patients Forum
EPF is an umbrella organisation that works with patients' groups in public health and health advocacy across Europe. Our 74 members represent specific chronic disease groups at EU level or are national coalitions of patients. You can see a full list of our members here, with details should you need to contact them directly.
EUPATI - European Patients Academy on Therapeutic Innovations
Patient training - the ABC of drug development
EUPATI - the European Patients' Academy on Therapeutic Innovation provides patients and the general public with scientifically sound, objective and understandable information on the research and development process of medicines.
It will strengthen the ability of patients and laypersons to advise regulatory authorities and ethics committees, for example in clinical trials.
In the EUPATI Austria Platform, representatives of patient organisations, science and industry work together to promote the further education of patients and their participation in the research and development (R&D) of drugs in Austria.
Information: https://eupati.eu/national-platforms/
