Medicines should be used judiciously, appropriately, safely and efficaciously. QUM means9:
- selecting management options wisely by
- considering the place of medicines in treating illness and maintaining health
- recognising that there may be better ways than use of a medicine to manage many health conditions
- choosing suitable medicines, if a medicine is considered necessary, so that the best available option is selected, by taking into account
- the individual patient
- the clinical condition
- possible harms and benefits, based on the best evidence
- dosage and length of treatment
- any co-existing conditions
- other therapies
- monitoring considerations
- costs for the individual, the community and the health system
- using medicines safely and effectively to achieve the best possible results by
- monitoring outcomes
- minimising misuse, over-use and under-use
- improving people’s ability to solve problems relating to medication, such as negative effects or managing multiple medicines.
Promoting and ensuring QUM is a central aspect of professional pharmacy practice. Key pharmacist roles, such as dispensing, medicines review, medicines reconciliation and counselling, all involve consideration of QUM.