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NPS - better choices, better health

Project officers:
Beba Ostrugnaj Phone: 8752 4909
Vijay Ramanathan Phone: 8752 4915
Julie McLean-Murray Phone: 8752 4905

About NPS

NPS is an independent, not-for-profit and evidence based organisation that enables better decisions about medicines and medical tests. We are funded by the Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing. To find more about NPS, go to About NPS

What is Quality Use of Medicines?

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 to get best possible results

CSGPN and NPS

CSGPN works in partnership with the NPS to provide independent evidence based information and support to health professionals and consumers on the quality use of medicines through education and quality assurance activities, local programs, training and skills development.

CSGPN educational visiting program includes: 

  • One-to-one practice visits to discuss objective up-to-date information on drug therapies and guidelines are offered on two therapeutic topics per year.
  • Small group case study discussions on select therapeutic area involving up to 12 GPs.
  • Interactive workshops on select therapeutic area, involving GPs, practice nurses and pharmacists.
  • Workshops that encourage further development of critical appraisal skills
  • Education and resources for consumers about QUM.

Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI)

GP participation in practice visits and nationally co-ordinated NPS clinical audits & case studies will qualify accredited practices for the Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI) of Practice Incentives Program (PIP). NPS activities attract QA & CPD RACGP points.

QPI_PIP_flowchart_10.pdf
QPI_tracker.doc

Therapeutic Topics 2010-2011

Topic Availability Topic flyer
Management Options To Maximise Sleep Jul 2010 – Dec 2010 Insomnia_flyer.pdf
Opioid Therapy In Chronic Pain Feb 2011 - Jun 2011

For further information on this program or to book a practice visit please contact the QUM Facilitators on 9799 0933.

NPS Resources

  • NPS News is distributed bimonthly with Australian Prescriber and contains summaries of specific therapeutic areas and updates on complementary medicines.
  • Case studies are provided as inserts to NPS News and may be completed and returned to the NPS. GPs who participate receive a report on the aggregated responses
  • Clinical audits developed or approved by the NPS are free to GPs and recognised by the RACGP Quality Assurance and Continuing Professional Development Program
  • Prescribing Practice Reviews mailed to all GPs provide evidence-based information and prescribing data to enable doctors to review their own prescribing practices
  • RADAR (Rational Assessment of Drugs and Research) provides information on new drugs, PBS listings and commentaries of new research relevant to primary practice. Access quarterly RADAR releases at RADAR or look in your prescribing software.
  • Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS) phone 1300138 677 provides information to health professionals on newly available drugs, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, use of drugs in unapproved indications.
  • Patient leaflets and action plans are designed to help health professionals communicate essential treatment messages to their patients and are best used in conjunction with verbal communication during patient consultation
  • NPS tools for health professionals practical help for health professionals in prescribing and achieving Quality Use of Medicines in practice.
  • Medicines Line phone 1300 888 763 provides consumers with independent information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

Useful links

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