bDMARDs Practice Review: Frequently asked questions

Why am I receiving this report?

As part of the Targeted Therapies Alliance, the Australian Rheumatology Association and NPS MedicineWise have collaborated to produce this PBS Practice Review for approximately 450 rheumatologists and relevant immunologists across Australia. The purpose of the PBS Practice Review is to support prescribers in their professional development by reviewing their individual prescribing data on bDMARDs and other medicines.

 

What is the Targeted Therapies Alliance?

The role of the Alliance is to help consumers and health professionals make safe and wise therapeutic decisions about biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and other specialised medicines. This work is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing –bDMARDs Program Grant.

The Alliance will produce a range of evidence-based educational resources, tools and interventions to support consumers, specialist prescribers, pharmacists, nurses and governance bodies.

Members include:

 

Can this Practice Review qualify for CPD?

Yes, for RACP Fellows, the time you spend using your ‘Quality use of b/tsDMARDs and other medicines’ report to review and adjust your practice meets the requirements for CPD under Category 3 – Measuring Outcomes.

Use this CPD Shortcut to record this activity in MyCPD. Some fields have been pre-populated for your convenience, so please adjust these if necessary before saving the activity.

 

Will my data be audited?

No, your individual PBS prescribing data will not be used for any regulatory purposes. It is strictly confidential and is for your personal reflection only.

See also ‘How does NPS MedicineWise get my data?’

 

How can I update my contact details?

This PBS Practice Review was emailed to the email address provided from the Australian Rheumatology Association if you did not opt out of receiving the PBS Practice Review via email. The PBS Practice Review was mailed to your preferred mailing address held at Services Australia. You can change your preferred mailing address with Services Australia online through Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) as a self-service option.

 

I didn’t receive a Practice Review but would like to receive one

This PBS Practice Review was sent to all rheumatologists in Australia who have prescribed a b/tsDMARD for RA in 2021. Immunologists with relevant b/tsDMARDs prescribing were also sent a PBS Practice Review.

The Practice Reviews were posted to the preferred mailing addresses registered with Services Australia. If you would like to update your mailing details, see above ‘How can I change my mailing address?’

We are unable to resend Practice Reviews as they are prepared as a set in one operation and mailed automatically.

 

Where do the data come from?

The data are from Services Australia and include all relevant medicines that were prescribed by you and dispensed on the PBS.

 

How does NPS MedicineWise get my data?

NPS MedicineWise has a contract with Services Australia for the supply of specific MBS and PBS data which contain individual provider names and numbers, and aggregated patient data. This information is securely stored by NPS MedicineWise in Australia and is protected using multiple layers of accredited security controls, including best-practice encryption methods.

This information is only accessed in accordance with strict information security protocols by NPS MedicineWise staff who have obtained an Australian Government security clearance and by duly authorised personnel at NPS MedicineWise’s accredited mail house subcontractor.

 

What should be considered when interpreting the PBS data?

The indication for prescribing cannot always be determined from PBS data. We know that b/tsDMARDs and leflunomide are prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis. Other medicines, such as methotrexate, were used by patients who have also used or went on to use b/tsDMARDs for rheumatoid arthritis, however we cannot determine the specific indication for prescribing these.

The report includes dispensing data of medicines prescribed by you and the time periods shown apply to the date of dispensing.

All practices are different, for example, practices specialising in paediatric care or acute care may have different prescribing rates that are still appropriate.

 

Why don’t the percentages in my graph total 100%?

Due to rounding, percentages may range from 99%–102%.

 

The data do not look as I’d expect, why could this be?

The data reflect prescriptions you wrote that were dispensed. Keep in mind there may be a delay between the date you prescribed and the date the medicine was dispensed for the patient.

Discrepancies between the data provided and your own practice data may be due to inaccurate recording of your prescriber number in pharmacies.

 

My data looks high because I predominantly work with a specific demographic group, was this taken into account?

We recognise that the context of prescribing varies for every provider, but because of the limitations of the data we are unable to tailor each provider’s data. The data in this Practice Review are for your reflection only. Consider the data and reflection points in relation to your patients and in the context of your own clinical practice.

See also ‘What does the Practice profile show me?’

 

What should I do if I have concerns about the data in my Practice Review?

If you have read the previous sections about considerations when interpreting your data and still have questions, email NPS MedicineWise at [email protected]. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, we will facilitate investigation of your query with Services Australia.

If you have concerns about your data in relation to fraud, you can report suspected fraud by calling Services Australia on 131 524 or contacting the police.

 

If my data shows that my prescribing is above or below other prescribers, does this mean I need to change my prescribing habits?

It is important to note that the average prescribing of other prescribers is not always an indicator of best practice guidelines. In some situations, being higher/lower than other prescribers is a good thing. We encourage you to interpret your data alongside the points for reflection. If your prescribing habits are in line with the best practice guidelines, then the graphs/tables can be a strong motivator for reinforcing best practice.

In other cases, you may realise that your prescribing habits are not in line with best practice guidelines, in which case you may want to adjust your prescribing.

 

Who do I contact for more information?

If you have any further questions, contact NPS MedicineWise: