11 February 2010

Awareness of the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and utilisation of its products and services increased significantly over 2005–09, according to the latest NPS evaluation report.

Released today, the 2008–09 Evaluation Report No. 12 shows NPS continues to positively influence prescribing practice and medicines use through expanding its reach and relevance amongst the Australian population, health professionals and health professional students.

“This 12^th evaluation report demonstrates the value of NPS in contributing to better health outcomes for Australians as well as helping to ensure the ongoing viability of the pharmaceutical benefits scheme,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

“GP participation remains high with around 60% of the GP workforce participating in at least one NPS activity, while pharmacist participation rates have increased significantly to 21% of registered pharmacists. Also, the number of nurses has nearly doubled to 2504, which is particularly encouraging given the key and growing role of nurses in quality use of medicines.”

“Notably, through our drug utilisation activities NPS has contributed to improved prescribing rates of analgesics and proton pump inhibitors including decreased prescribing of COX-2 selective NSAIDs, tramadol and high dose PPIs, and increased prescribing of low dose PPIs.”

Key achievements highlighted in the 2008–09 report include:

• Total savings of $45.9 million to the PBS
• Decrease in prescribing of COX-2 selective NSAIDs by 3.24 scripts per 1000 consultations where NPS had reached approximately 52% of GPs.
• Decrease in prescribing of tramadol by 7.71 scripts per 1000 consultations where NPS had reached approximately 54% of GPs.
• Decrease in prescribing of high dose PPIs by 10.36 scripts per 1000 consultations where the NPS interventions had reached approximately 30% of GPs.
• The number of universities using our National Prescribing Curriculum has nearly doubled to 23 institutions across Australia
• 27% of all Australians aged 15 years and older, and 32% of Australians aged 50 years and older are aware of NPS.
• A total of 959 sessions were conducted with a total of 21,468 attendees across Australia through the Seniors Peer Education program.
• An increase in the number of web page views of Australian Prescriber per month from 151,339 during 2007-08 to 241,834 during 2008-09.
• 425,299 Medicine List resources were distributed in English and four other languages.

“Over the next 12 months we will continue to build on these achievements with programs focusing on hypnotic use and opioids, and we will expand our work with diverse audiences to ensure that all Australians have access to the same accurate information about medicines,” Dr Weekes said.

To view the full report go to www.nps.org.au/eval_report_12  

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation for quality use of medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.