24 October 2006

A ‘Good Medicine Better Health’ pilot project to tackle poor health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities commences this December.

An initiative of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) in conjunction with the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA), the project is a series of training workshops to increase the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) knowledge of Aboriginal Health Care Workers in the Kimberley region, Port Lincoln and Melbourne.

QUM is about selecting management options wisely; choosing the most suitable medicine, if a medicine is necessary and using medicines safely and effectively. Medicines include prescription medicines, over-thecounter medicines, herbal and natural remedies and is inclusive of traditional Aboriginal medicines.

Dea Delaney-Thiele, CEO of NACCHO, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the worst health status of any group in Australia. “Generally our people have seventeen years shorter life expectancy, four times higher prevalence of diabetes and twice as many hospital admissions for asthma than the rest of the Australian population. Despite their higher health needs, national expenditure on medicines for this group is three times less than for other Australians.”

Hannah Baird, NPS Community QUM Manager, says “This evidence-based project will give Aboriginal Health Care Workers the skills and QUM knowledge to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples manage their medicines better. Evidence shows this strategy is a vital element in improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s overall health.”

Mary Buckskin, Chief Executive of AHCSA, stresses “Aboriginal Health Care Workers have a level of understanding in their communities that enables them to reach out with an important message about medicines. Time and time again I see the value of training Aboriginal Health Workers to take up front line positions in the battle against the poor state of Aboriginal health.”

The project is the result of two years research and collaboration between NACCHO and NPS in consultation with other Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services including the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council, Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service and Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.

Rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the pilot project’s training approach and materials, and analysis of student and stakeholder feedback will be completed with a view to delivering ‘Good Medicine Better Health’ QUM training project nationwide.

ENDS

NACCHO and NPS are working together to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders through QUM. NPS is an independent, nonprofit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.