28 February 2011

NPS’s latest evaluation report has been published today and highlights the diverse ways in which quality use of medicines is being achieved at grass-roots levels across Australia.

Utilising a new, clearer evaluation framework, the 2009-10 report provides a detailed review of each NPS program for health professionals and consumers. Overall impact is assessed with robust evaluation methods including interrupted time series modelling.

NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes said the report shows NPS has successfully engaged different audiences via multiple channels, and provides invaluable information for the development of future programs.

“I’m pleased to announce a significant increase in consumer participation in our activities, which will help us move closer to achieving our 10 year goal of becoming a household name,” Dr Weekes said.

“Working equally with health professionals and consumers is unique in the Australian health sector. As we continue to grow our consumer work, we must be careful to balance momentum and innovation with our professional programs,” Dr Weekes said.

Rigorous evaluation is critical to NPS’s development and growth and influences future work as much as it assesses past work.

“Evaluation has always been an important part of our work. It has helped us learn, innovate and remain accountable for improving medicines use and using public funds wisely,” Dr Weekes said.

Key findings

• Prescribing changes associated with GP participation in NPS programs is estimated to have netted the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme $66.2 million between July 2008 and June 2009.
• The most popular therapeutic topics that health professionals participated in during 2009-10 were:
• • Therapeutic choices for menopausal symptoms – 11,050 unique participants Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in stroke prevention - 8,734 unique participants Management options to maximise sleep - 4,032 unique participants
  • Engagement with seniors increased with 18,143 people attending 829 education sessions in partnership with Council On The Ageing (COTA) across Australia.
  • 6,386 seniors from CALD backgrounds attended 148 educational sessions about quality use of medicines.
• 62 Aboriginal health workers were trained to deliver quality use of medicines messages to their communities as part of the Good medicines, better health pilot project.

View the full report here.

ENDS

Independent, evidence-based and not-for-profit, NPS enables better decisions about medicines and medical tests.We are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.