The document discusses Quality Use of Medicines (QUM), which aims to ensure optimal health outcomes from medication use. QUM focuses on selecting management options wisely, choosing suitable medicines appropriately, and using medicines safely and effectively. The National Medicines Policy also aims to ensure timely access to medicines, quality products, quality use, and a viable medicines industry. Key partners in achieving QUM include healthcare providers and recipients, as well as governments, industry, and educators.

1. Quality Use of Medicines A brief summary

2. What do we mean by “medicine” Medicine is Prescription Non-prescription (or over-the counter) Complementary (herbal, alternative, Chinese Medicines etc)

3. What is Quality Use of Medicines? The key focus of QUM is to ensure that: Management options are selected wisely Suitable medicines are chosen if medicine is considered necessary Medicines are used safely and effectively so that consumers get the best possible health outcomes

4. QUM cont’d Management options are selected wisely: By Considering place of medicines in treating illness and maintaining health and Recognising that there may be better ways than medicine to manage many disorders

5. QUM cont’d Suitable medicines are chosen if medicine is considered necessary: Taking into account factors including The individual Clinical condition Risks and benefits Dosage and length of treatment Co-existing conditions Other therapies Monitoring conditions Costs to individual, community and health system ? ?

6. QUM cont’d Medicines are used safely and effectively To get the best possible results by: Monitoring outcomes Minimising misuse, over-use an under-use and Improving people’s ability to solve problems related to medication, such as negative effects or managing multiple medications

7. National Medicines Policy 2000 Aim: to meet medication and related service needs, so that optimal health outcomes and economic objectives are achieved for all Australians

8. How does the National Medicines Policy work? Click here to see the National Medicines Policy again. Based on active and respectful partnerships between: Healthcare consumers Governments Health educators Health practitioners Healthcare providers and suppliers Medicines industry Media Each partner is expected to contribute to the achievement of the policy as best they can

9. Central Objectives ACCESS Timely access to medicines, at a cost the individual and community can afford QUALITY PRODUCTS Medicines meet Appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy QUALITY USE OF MEDICINES Judicious, appropriate, safe and effective use of medicines INDUSTRY Maintenance of a responsible and viable medicines industry

10. Objectives of the National Strategy for QUM Improve QUM among healthcare consumers and health practitioners Gain commitment to QUM of medicines industry and governments Improve the commitment to working in partnership of: - healthcare consumers - health practitioners and educators - the medicines industries - the media - healthcare facilities - funders and purchasers - governments

11. QUM is a process or way or working a broad movement a professional culture a vital part of the health policy landscape.

12. Key Partners In developing and implementing initiatives to achieve QUM include: Those who take or consider taking medicines Those who prescribe, provide and monitor the use of medicines Those who assist people to learn more about health issues and health care through information, education and discussion

13. Key Partners cont’d Those who provide health services within hospital and community settings Those who develop, make, market, distribute and sell medicines The Governments who, in the public interest assess, register, monitor the safety of and provide equity of access to medicines

14. Key Partners cont’d Those who produce, report, publish and broadcast information about medicines and health matters Those who fund and/or purchase in both the public and private sectors the range of health services within which medicines play an important part

15. “ Think Global, Act Local” Understanding the global perspective of QUM is essential in achieving QUM at the local level “ Think Global, Act Local”