3 March 2008

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is further developing its suite of toolkits to help pharmacists achieve Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) in aged care facilities.

The NPS Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) toolkits provide localised activities to promote QUM,compare current drug use against best practice and guide facilities towards making changes which will enhance the health of residents. Participation also assists facilities to meet requirements for the Residential Aged Care Accreditation Standards (administered by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd).

NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes said there were two current DUE toolkits available. The first focuses on reviewing the use of hypnotics (benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine) in treating insomnia, while the second centres on antipsychotic drugs in behavioural disturbance of dementia. “A third DUE toolkit, regarding analgesia, will be released via the NPS website later this year,” Dr Weekes added.

Further toolkits, featuring other topics, will also be developed. Each toolkit contains practical information on how to undertake a DUE.

“Pharmacists working with nursing homes can lead the project and collect the initial data,  but the DUE is an ideal opportunity to partner with Medication Advisory Committees and facility staff,” Dr Weekes said.

“Effective drug use in aged care is a common issue of concern between NPS and pharmacists working with the aged care sector. These ready-made DUE toolkits will help pharmacists to meet PSA Guidelines and Standards* – and provide a practical QUM service to their aged care facilities.”

Completion of NPS DUE toolkits qualifies for Continuing Professional Development points by the PSA, Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP) and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA). The toolkits are downloadable at www.nps.org.au/healthpro

For more information about the NPS DUE toolkits contact Aine Heaney at NPS on (02) 8217 8700 or via email.

* (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Guidelines and Standards for the Collaborative and Pharmacist Residential Medication Management Review Program and Associated Quality Use of Medicine Services)

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.