Quality Use of Medicines
The Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) is one of the main objectives of the National Medicines Policy. Click here to read the policy.
The Heart Foundation is becoming increasingly involved with national QUM activities in recognition of the importance of QUM for people with or at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the broad implications of the QUM agenda for our strategic plan.
Evolving Heart Foundation QUM activities include:
- strengthening our relationship with the National Prescribing Service. Click here to go to the National Prescribing Service website.
- plans to develop a Heart Foundation position statement on the quality use of cardiovascular medicines
- our relationship with the Pharmaceutical Roundtable (PRT) in relation to QUM, including PRT funding to support employment of a consultant to provide advice on potential areas of involvement in relation to QUM in Indigenous communities. Click here to go to Pharmaceutical Roundtable webpage
- advocacy by the Heart Foundation, in association with the PRT, to the Australian Government and the National Heart Stroke and Vascular Strategies Group, for support in relation to QUM and coronary heart disease initiatives
- Heart Foundation representation on the Advisory Editorial Panel of Australian Prescriber. Click here to go to the Australian Prescriber website.
Quality Use of Medicines in cardiovascular health report
This report was commissioned by the Heart Foundation Pharmaceutical Roundtable and examines the relationship between cardiovascular disease and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). The backdrop to the report is the National Medicines Policy which has four central objectives:
- timely access to medicines that Australians need at a cost individuals and the community can afford
- medicines meeting appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy
- quality use of medicines
- maintaining a responsible and viable medicines industry
The goals of the report were to identify barriers to QUM, help the Roundtable develop strategies to overcome these barriers, and prioritise actions to help the Roundtable achieve QUM in cardiovascular health.
Quality Use of Medicines in Cardiovascular Health full report 
Download Quality Use of Medicines in Cardiovascular
Health executive summary Download
Ensuring the Quality Use of Medicines among Indigenous Australians report
The Heart Foundation Pharmaceutical Roundtable has released a report on the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) among Indigenous Australians. The report, by Dr Alex Brown of the Baker Heart Research Institute (Alice Springs), was commissioned by the Roundtable to identify priority projects that will improve cardiovascular health among Indigenous Australians.
Addressing the barriers to QUM for Indigenous Australians can significantly reduce mortality rates and increase their quality of life. The report defined important future directions for QUM including policy development and identified strategic research priorities.
Ensuring the Quality Use of Medicines among Indigenous Australians full
report Download Ensuring the Quality Use of Medicines among
Indigenous Australians executive summary Download