Quality Use Of Medicines

Contact: Lorna Hurst (08) 9319 0555

What is Quality Use of Medicines?

Quality use of medicines (QUM) means ensuring that when medicines are considered necessary they are chosen wisely and used appropriately, safely and effectively.  This involves providing the patient with relevant and appropriate information on their medicines and empowering the patient with the knowledge to use their medicines wisely in order to minimise misuse and overuse.  The term 'medicine' includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal and natural therapies medicines.  Fremantle GP Network currently supports two QUM programs:

National Prescribing Service (NPS)
This program assists participants to keep up-to-date with information on QUM. Program activities include one-to-one and group case study meetings for GPs, community and accredited pharmacists, practice nurses and residential aged care facility nursing staff.  Incentives for GPs include RACGP QA&CPD points and Practice Incentive Payments via the Quality Prescribing Initiative.

Home Medicines Review (HMR)

Funding for the Home Medicines Review Facilitator position at FGPN will cease from 30 June 2010. All other aspects of the HMR program, including the referral and claiming process, will continue as normal beyond this date.

The Home Medicines Review program is a consumer-focussed, collaborative service which aims to ensure that patients obtain maximum benefit from their medication regime and manage their medications correctly at home.