2. Definition
• “A system of processes
and behaviours that
determines how
medicines are used by
patients and by
healthcare services”
• Effective medicines
management services
will have patients as the
primary focus, thus
delivering better
targeted care and better
informed individuals
3. Medicines Management
…in real life
• Right drug
• Right dose
• Right patient
• Right time
• Everytime !
4. Idealised Medicines Pathway
Patient history
Obtain and
document
relevant history
Prescribing
Decide on
medicine
Prescribe
Medicine
Transmission /
Transcription
Record
keeping
Prescription
generation
Pharmacy
Dispense
& clinical
check
Interpret
Ordering &
preparation
Patient
Patient
understanding
Concordance
& compliance
Monitoring
Routine
checks
Interpret
response
5. Why do medicines
need managing?
• Prescribing is the most common
therapeutic intervention
• The complexity, volume and cost of
medicines are all increasing
• Medicines have the potential to do
harm as well as be beneficial
6. Medicines Management Benefits
Medicines
Management
Patient Safety
Cost
Effectiveness
Improve
health
Better
access to
services
Use of
skills
Greater
choice
for
patients
Better
patient
information
Promote
self care
7. Questions patients may ask
Do I need a
medicine? How do I find out
about different
treatments?
Who decides
which
medicines I
get?
How am I
involved in
making
decisions?
How do I find out
more about my
medicines?
Do I keep
taking my
medicines or
when should I
stop?
How can I
make sure my
medicines suit
How do I get
my
medicine?
me?
