9 June 2006

Tasmanian School of Pharmacy PhD student Luke Bereznicki is the winner of the inaugural Student QUM Award category at the National QUM Awards 2006, presented last night at an awards ceremony held at Parliament House, Canberra.

The National QUM Awards are an initiative of the National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) and the Pharmaceutical Health And Rational use of Medicines (PHARM) Committee in recognition of the achievements of a variety of projects, programs and activities within the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) sector.

Luke took the prize for his PhD research on improving the management of anticoagulants in the community and hospital setting. Projects focused on improving the quality and safety of warfarin use in the hospital and home setting, and improving the use of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalised patients.

Highly Commended was awarded to Kay McCauley from Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre in Victoria. Kay’s PhD research on best practice in the management of women with psychosis in pregnancy, involving the development of a National Register of Antipsychotic Medication in Pregnancy, impressed a panel of judges.

Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) is one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy. QUM means selecting management options wisely, choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary; and using medicines safely and effectively.

The definition of QUM applies equally to decisions about medicine use by individuals and decisions that affect the health of the population.

“These biennial awards recognise the achievements of stakeholders in integrating QUM principles in their everyday activities,’ Dr Lynn Weekes, CEO of NPS, said.

‘The high quality of submissions gave the judging panel quite a challenge,’ she said.

The awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the National Medicines Symposium 2006 which concludes today.

ENDS