From NPS MedicineWise

The 1990s were a watershed decade for Australia in recognising the vital role medicines play in people’s health and what are today the four pillars of our National Medicines Policy: access and affordability, safety and quality, industry viability, and quality use of medicines (http://www.health.gov.au/ internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ nmp-objectives-policy.htm). Quality use of medicines is concerned with making wise management decisions, selecting the right treatments, and using medicines safely and effectively for the best possible health outcomes (http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ main/publishing.nsf/Content/nmppdf-natstrateng-cnt.htm). NPS MedicineWise has selected 10 therapeutic areas in which we believe we can make the most impact in terms of both health and economic outcomes. These areas are infectious diseases, endocrine disorders, cardiology, respiratory problems, haematology, gastroenterology, musculoskeletal problems, mental health, neurology and emerging issues. Underpinning selection of these is their alignment with Australia’s National Health Priority Areas (http://www.aihw.gov.au/ national-health-priority-areas), the prevalence and burden of disease, and our ability to actually effect change. In selecting specifi c conditions to address within these therapeutic areas, we look at many factors, not least of which are the implications for clinicians. Are there gaps in practice or variability in prescribing? Are there new or changed guidelines or new evidence for emerging or best practice that clinicians need to know about? Is there evidence of patient harm or poor patient adherence? We then assess if we are best placed to close this gap in current knowledge and if our interventions are likely to result in a change in practice or behaviour. This underpins the value of the program for clinicians. In 2014, NPS MedicineWise programs will deal with identifi ed problems and gaps in treatment for asthma, fatigue and hypertension — conditions that affect many people, generate controversy about appropriate management, and have changing guidelines or new therapies. In this era of fi scal responsibility and scarcity of health funding, it is easy to forget the roots of this crucial health initiative and understate its very real impact on people’s lives. Fifteen years on, quality use of medicines remains a cornerstone for patient safety and realising better health outcomes.  From NPS MedicineWise