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:

• undertaking a project aimed to help people adhere to their doctor’s medicine and lifestyle recommendations.
• 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. 

The Adherance Project
Many of the 3.5 million Australians suffering from, or at risk of, cardiovascular disease are not taking their medication nor changing their lifestyle as recommended by their doctor. Termed non-adherence, this is further increasing a person’s risk of future cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke.

To tackle this issue the Heart Foundation is currently undertaking a project to help people adhere to their doctor’s medicine and lifestyle recommendations.
The World Health Organisation has estimated 40% of heart attacks and strokes are attributable to high blood pressure.  It has also been found that non-adherence contributes to lack of blood pressure control in more than two out of three people being treated for this condition. 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in its 2007 report measured adherence to cardiovascular medicines after 24 months at between 79% and 52% depending on the type of medication people were taking. The Heart Foundation project aims to increase the capacity of GPs, pharmacists and primary care nurses for helping their patients’ adhere to medicine and lifestyle recommendations.

The first part of the project will be raising awareness amongst the relevant health professionals, arming them with strategies to identify their patients that are non-adherent or have the potential to be non-adherent, and also strategies to help these patients by tailoring preventative measures to the individual.

Click here to read more.

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