Quality Use of Medicines
Communication breakdowns and medication adherence
Breakdowns in communication can adversely affect a patient’s medication adherence. Fostering an open and continuous dialogue between patient and pharmacist will lead to improved medication adherence and better health outcomes. …
‘An obvious void’ left by NPS MedicineWise closure
No one single organisation or person owns QUM following the demise of NPS MedicineWise, say key stakeholders, with some programs still on hold or under review The Quality Use of …
‘I have concerns about this, as opposed to you… being the police.’
Scope expansion means community pharmacists can do more to promote optimal use of antibiotics, but should they “police” antibiotics scripts written by GPs? Community pharmacists often don’t feel comfortable raising …
‘Make it more than a throw away line’
Steve Morris, PSA CEO, talks about why we need to examine what quality use of medicines actually means, and why and where pharmacists should be playing a greater role In …
The importance and skill of saying no
When a pharmacist is unable to fulfil a patient’s request for a particular medicine or service based on their professional opinion and legal and ethical obligations, it is important that …
Pharmacists key to boosting mental health care
PSA calls for funding to support pharmacists to play a greater role in mental health care, by improving quality use of medicines (QUM) Pharmacists have a vital role to play …
Aged care role may not be for new pharmacists
Pharmacists already embedded in residential aged care facilities are improving patient care, they feel it may not be a role for new graduates, study reveals Embedding pharmacists within interprofessional aged …
Health literacy and QUM boost
Peak health and consumer organisations, including the PSA, are set to work together to promote health literacy Two new grants have been awarded to support consumer health literacy and improve …
SHPA launches deprescribing campaign
Hospital pharmacists are looking to empower patients and their carers to engage with health professionals to optimise their medication regimens The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) in partnership with …
NPS demise makes pharmacists’ jobs more critical: leading pharmacist
Pharmacists will have to work harder to fill the gap left by NPS MedicineWise when it ceases to exist at the end of the year, stakeholders say The NPS MedicineWise …
A question of safety
Leading pharmacy groups are set to join in talks to formulate a joint safety policy, say Chris Freeman and Leanne Wells Next week will see the convening of a Strategic …
S8 use, incident reports on the rise
For safe dispensing, it’s important to be aware of the four key factors in S8 dispensing incidents, says indemnity body Most pharmacists will be aware of the ever-expanding range of …