Growing up in Bangladesh, Qanita Ahmed often witnessed friends and relatives sharing medications with each other.
She said it was common practice for people in her community to save money by borrowing unused or leftover medicines from others, such as pain relief tablets or antibiotics.
"People think 'if it works for me then it will work for her or him too', especially if they find their symptoms are similar," Ms Ahmed told SBS News.
"There is a myth that even for a cold and the flu, you should take antibiotics."
It wasn't until she began studying to become a pharmacist that Ms Ahmed said she learned about the potential risks of sharing over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Qanita Ahmed says sharing prescription medicines in Bangladesh was common. Source: SBS
"When I started studying, a new world really opened to me ... it's dangerous and it's unsafe."
After migrating to Australia in 2004 with her family, Ms Ahmed joined the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District as a cultural support worker to help other new and emerging migrants better navigate Australia's healthcare system.
She is now based in Marsden Park in north-west Sydney.
Ms Ahmed was among several key speakers at the launch of Multicultural Health Week, which begins on 7 September and this year aims to support the safe use of medications and reduce hospital admissions related to poor medication management.
Multicultural Health Week is funded by the NSW Ministry of Health and coordinated by the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service.
Source: NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service
"We're highlighting the importance of knowing what your medicine is for and how to take it safely," said NSW Multicultural Health Week director Lisa Woodland.
"It's also really important that people understand what the active ingredient in their medicine is."
The new health campaign includes a social media video - - which explains why medications have different brand names but still contain the same active ingredient.
"We do have evidence that people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities are at higher risk of making mistakes with their medicines and that has really serious consequences," she said.
Data by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia shows about 250,000 people are admitted to hospital for medication-related problems every year in Australia and 70 per cent of cases are due to the use of multiple medications at the same time.
Parisa Aslani, a professor in medicines use optimisation at The University of Sydney, said people with language barriers often misunderstood medication names and how to correctly use a prescribed medication.
"They're not lollies, they are serious drugs and it's important that people are aware of why they're taking medicine, what it's going to do for them, and what to do if there's a problem," she said.
Parisa Aslani is a professor in medicines use optimisation at The University of Sydney. Source: Supplied
Ms Aslani said online misinformation during the coronavirus pandemic had also sparked a growing demand for unproven treatments.
"People are getting scared and they're thinking they need medication ... but it's a viral infection. Currently, there's no cure for it."
She urged people to speak with a doctor before taking any new medications, and for those who take regular prescription medication to keep one month's supply at home in case they're ordered to self-isolate.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
