Quality use of medicines: Policy and practice

Abstract

This chapter explores the policy development of quality use of medicines (QUM) and the practice initiatives which have been found to support QUM. The goal of QUM is to optimise the use of medicines to improve health outcomes, particularly for older people. QUM means to select medicines management options wisely, choosing medicines-if a medicine is considered necessary-and using them safely and effectively. The structure and process, which have been found to support QUM, are independent information for both consumers and healthcare professionals, the development of medication management guidelines for the continuum of care delivery and the process of drug use evaluation (DUE) in long-term care. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.