National Medicines Policy

Question 1

What is the Aim of the National Medicines Policy?

Answer 1

To meet medication and related service needs so that both optimal health outcomes and economic objectives are achieved

Question 2

What are the 4 Objectives of the National Medicines Policy?

Answer 2

1) Timely access to the medicines that Australians need, at an affordable cost
2) Medicines meeting appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy
3) Maintaining a responsible and viable medicines industry
4) Quality use of medicines

Question 3

Compare Rational and Irrational Use of Medicines

Answer 3

Rational (appropriate, proper, correct) use of medicine is when patients receive the appropriate medicines, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, at the lowest cost to them and the community

Irrational (inappropriate, improper, incorrect) use of medicines is when one or more of the conditions is not met

Question 4

What is the Goal for the National Strategy for QUM?

Answer 4

The goal of the National Strategy for QUM is to make the best possible use of medicines to improve health outcomes for all Australians

Question 5

What is QUM described as in the NMP?

Answer 5

Selecting management options wisely

Choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary

Ensuring the patients and carers have the knowledge and skills to use medicines safely and effectively

Question 6

What are the Objectives of the National Strategy for QUM?

Answer 6

Improve QUM by health care consumers

Improve QUM by health practitioners, providers and educators

Gain the commitment of the medicines industry, including manufactures and distributors, to QUM

Gain the commitment of governments to QUM

Improve the commitment of all stakeholders to working in partnership to achieve QUM

Question 7

What are the Principles of the National Strategy for QUM?

Answer 7

Primacy of consumers

Partnership

Consultative, collaborative, multidisciplinary activity

Support for existing activity

System-based approaches

Question 8

What are the Groups that Influence QUM?

Answer 8

Government

Pharmaceutical Industry

Media

Consumers

Health Professionals

Question 9

What are the National and State Programs to Promote QUM?

Answer 9

National Prescribing Service (NPS): NPS Medicine Wise

Australian National Formulary (AMH)

Therapeutic Guidelines

State Government (SA Health) QUM Activities

Question 10

National and State Programs to Promote QUM: What is National Prescribing Service (NPS): NPS Medicine Wise?

Answer 10

Provides unbiased prescribing information to doctors and pharmacists, as well as increases health literacy

Question 11

National and State Programs to Promote QUM: What are the Therapeutic Guidelines?

Answer 11

Gives guidelines to the treatment of common diseases

Question 12

What are the Community/Hospital Programs to Promote QUM?

Answer 12

Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR)

MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck

Hospital Protocols/Guidelines and Management Pathways

Question 13

Community/Hospital Programs to Promote QUM: What are Home Medicines Review (HMR) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR)?

Answer 13

Medication review by an accredited pharmacist after referral by a GP

Question 14

Community/Hospital Programs to Promote QUM: What are MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck?

Answer 14

In pharmacy review that focusses on education, self-management, device review and problem identification

Question 15

Community/Hospital Programs to Promote QUM: What are Hospital Protocols/Guidelines and Management Pathways?

Answer 15

Certain standard protocols for treating common diseases in the hospital

Question 16

What is Pharmacotherapeutics/Pharmacy Practice to Achieve QUM?

Answer 16

It is about selecting the right drug for the right patient at the right time, in the right dose for the right duration of time, all achieved by performing a BENEFIT:RISK assessment.

There are often guidelines to follow for this, but sometimes they may need to be modified to the patient.

Proper counselling is key in ensuring the patient receives the correct information on how to take the medicine, ensuring adherence. They should also be informed of possible side effects and what to do, as well as any follow up options