Since 2004, NPS have been conducting multicentre drug use evaluation (DUE) activities in hospitals in collaboration with state-based Therapeutic Advisory Groups (TAGs) and DUE groups from New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.

The objectives of the NPS DUE program in hospitals are:

• To introduce and implement agreed guidelines for prescribing and medicine use in hospitals to improve the overall use of medicines in hospitals and the community
• To involve specialist prescribers in NPS programs
• To work with hospital personnel, general practitioners and community pharmacists to develop agreed local approaches for implementation of the Guiding principles to achieve continuity in medication management, from the Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council.
• To train hospital pharmacists, doctors and nurses to use social marketing techniques to improve prescribing practice in the areas of interest.

DUE toolkits available for hospitals

• NPS acute postoperative pain (APOP) DUE toolkit

DUE research projects

• Discharge management of acute coronary syndromes (DMACS) project 2008–2009
• Acute postoperative pain (APOP) project 2006-2007
  
• Community-acquired pneumonia: towards improving outcomes nationally (CAPTION) project 2004–2005

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