Polypharmacy In Elderly Australians - Can Deprescribing Improve Health Related Outcomes And Reduce Costs?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,644.00
Summary
Medications are often inappropriately prescribed in elderly Australians. This research investigates whether reducing certain classes of medications results in improved patient outcomes, and what the cost implications are of inappropriately prescribed medications and the costs of a service which reduces drug useage.
Developing A Framework To Evaluate Low Value Prescribing In The Australian Health Care Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,608.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a framework to evaluate the quality of prescribing in Australia using routinely collected administrative health data. Given growing concerns regarding the quality of prescribing of psychotropic medicines and opioids, these medicines will be e focus of the study. Patterns, quality markers and health and financial consequences of poor prescribing will be assessed.
Medicine-associated Dementia And Cognitive Impairment: Identifying The Problem, Reducing The Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,116.00
Summary
Several studies have shown an association between use of anticholinergic or sedative medicines and increased risk of dementia. Questions remain about whether these medicines cause dementia (or are just used by people already at risk), whether or not cognitive function improves if the medicines are stopped or if the dose is reduced, and the characteristics of patients most likely to use these medicines. This program of research aims to answer these questions.
Tracking The Impact Of Drug Regulatory Actions: Consumer Health Outcomes, Risk-benefit Issues And Policy Framework.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,324.00
Summary
This study will explore what happens in the community when a medicine is withdrawn from the market or discredited due to safety concerns. It will examine the impacts of two recent cases of medicine withdrawal or serious long-term safety concern, on a large cohort of women with high utilisation rates who were monitored during the time the medicines were discredited. The study will be an important guide to future regulatory, media and provider responses when medicines are discredited.
Up to 50% of patients having surgery take regular medications and almost half of these patients have their medications stopped at the time of surgery. The interruption of their regular medications during this period exposes patients to associated complications. The project aims to improve the management of patients’ regular medications at the time of surgery, especially when they are fasting or nil by mouth, via a bundle of interventions that include education, reminders and audit/feedback.
Optimising Prescribing In Older Australians: A Randomised Trial Of The Drug Burden Index With Home Medicines Review
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,436.00
Summary
The burden of polypharmacy in the older population is taking its toll. The average number of medicines prescribed to older Australians is on the rise, and in turn leading to increased significant costs to the public health system. Pharmacists have a crucial role to improve the quality use of medicines in older Australians. The Drug Burden Index measures a person’s total exposure to medicines. This project will evaluate the benefits of calculating the DBI for patients receiving Home Medicines Rev ....The burden of polypharmacy in the older population is taking its toll. The average number of medicines prescribed to older Australians is on the rise, and in turn leading to increased significant costs to the public health system. Pharmacists have a crucial role to improve the quality use of medicines in older Australians. The Drug Burden Index measures a person’s total exposure to medicines. This project will evaluate the benefits of calculating the DBI for patients receiving Home Medicines Reviews, conducted by pharmacists.Read moreRead less