Introduction: Why is improving use of medicines and medical tests important?

Abstract

The use of medicines and medical tests sits at the heart of health systems globally. Whether considered from the perspectives of patient benefits and harms, health expenditure or themost common practices of health professionals, prescribing of medicines and ordering of medical tests are critical behaviours that determine the quality of care, health outcomes and value for money in health systems. A range of interventions to improve prescribing and use of medical tests have been advocated for decades, yet we continue to see suboptimal use of medicines and medical tests. This includes both underuse and overuse of these precious resources against an evidence base that is compelling in demonstrating missed opportunities for benefits, unnecessary exposure to harms and poor value for money when utilization is not appropriate. The arguments for programs that support health professionals and patients to make the best use of medicines and medical tests are based on data from high-, middle- and low-income countries. These data show the variation that cannot be explained by patient and clinical factors alone. Other considerations such as attitudes and beliefs, geography, previous experience, peer norms and socioeconomic factors are important when we seek to improve the use of medicines and medical tests.