Quality Use of Medicines (QUM)

Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) is one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy.

QUM means:

  • Selecting management options wisely
  • Choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary
  • Using medicines safely and effectively.

The definition of QUM applies equally to decisions about medicine use by individuals and decisions that affect the health of the population.

The term 'medicine' includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal and natural therapies medicines. QUM has many facets and below are some of the areas covered by the national program.

This national program supports general practice with evidenced-based information through its QUM facilitator programs. Their roles include:

  • Providing one to one educational visits to General Practitioners (GPs) to give them the opportunity to discuss issues in therapeutics
  • Conducting small group case based discussions with GPs, Pharmacists and Practice Nurses
  • Promoting and supporting QUM activities in their communities

The Facilitator QUM program also supports general practice with the Home Medicine Review Program (HMR)

The HMR (also known as DMMR - Domiciliary Medication Management Review) is a consumer-focused, structured and collaborative health care service provided in the community setting, to optimise quality use of medicines and consumer understanding. It involves the consumer, their GP, their pharmacy, and other relevant members of the health care team.

The Medication Management Review (MMR) Facilitator Services Program provides support, advice, education and information to pharmacists and GPs in their local area about HMRs. MMR facilitators are employed in most Network Member Organisations across Australia. State coordinators provide mentoring, advice and training for the facilitators in their states and territories.

The dose administration aids program

Dose administration aids are devices that assist patients with their medication management by dividing their medicines according to the dose schedule as prescribed by the patient's doctor.

Community pharmacies providing a dose administration aids service can provide additional support to patients who are having problems managing their medicines. Such a service is expected to improve the health status and quality of life of patients and minimise the number of medication related hospitalisations.

  • If you are a patient or a health care provider and would like to locate a pharmacy that provides a Dose Administration Aids service in your area, please click here.

Acknowledgement to the National Prescribing Service, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Department of Health and Ageing for funding for the program

The dose administration aids service (DVA DAA)

The Dose Administration Aid (DAA) service builds on DVAs QUM programs, which include the Veterans Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services (Veterans MATES) program, and aims to assist the veteran community to get the most out of their medicines and to reduce medication mismanagement.

The benefits from the DAA Service are far greater when provided in conjunction with a HMR, Medicare Benefits Schedule Item 900. DVA strongly recommends that veterans be referred by their GP for a HMR in regions where this service is available.

Acknowledgement to the Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs for funding for the DVA DAA Program

Why is QUM important?

Medicines are a part of most people's lives. In any fortnight, around seven-in-10 Australians (and nine-in-10 older Australians) will have taken at least one medicine.1

While there is no doubt taking medicines saves lives and is often the most cost-effective or convenient form of treatment, it is also well established that some medicines are inappropriately prescribed and used.

There are other problems directly associated with medication use. Studies have shown that about 140,000 people are admitted to hospital every year as a result of problems with the use of medicines, including adverse reactions.2

In addition, Australia's expenditure on medicines from government spending on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule needs to reflect appropriate medicine use if we are to sustain a viable health system into the future. QUM is about ensuring all Australians have equitable access to high quality, safe and effective medicines. It also relies on rational use of those medicines.

In Australia, various processes are in place to achieve better health outcomes through QUM. A National Medicines Policy has been developed, and for more than a decade, individuals have done valuable work in research and service delivery to promote QUM.

References:

  1. 1995 National Health Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
  2. Second National Report on Patient Safety Improving Medication Safety, published by Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care, July 2002.

AGPN acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing