In 1984, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a resolution urging its member states to develop and implement comprehensive national drug policies, which it considered essential for addressing the problems that many countries face in the use and supply of medications. These included the availability, safety, efficacy, quality, affordability and appropriate use of medicines (WHO, 1994).

In accord with the WHO resolution, Australia now has a comprehensive
National Medicines Policy in place, which aims to

"to meet medication and related service needs, so that both optimal health outcomes and economic objectives are achieved". (National Medicines Policy, Department of Health and Aged Care,1999)

Australia’s National Medicines Policy has four central objectives. These are:

1. "timely access to the medicines that Australians need, at a cost individuals and the community can afford;

2. medicines meeting appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy;

3. quality use of medicines; and

4. maintaining a responsible and viable pharmaceutical industry". 

• Collaborating with government and other stakeholders to develop the National Medicines Policy

• Consultations which evaluate the National Medicines Policy using indicators and geographical mapping

• Assisting with the development of professional practice standards

 The Centre

The Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre’s (QUMPRC) research and consultancy activities focus on the development, implementation and evaluation of National Medicines Policy both at the national and grass roots level. Lead by Associate Professor Andrew Gilbert, the Centre works within government, community hospital, institutional and industry settings and boasts a membership which is affiliated with many national organisations and committees including:

• Professor Lloyd Sansom – chair of Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council (APAC)

• Associate Professor Andrew Gilbert – Member of PHARM and
  Evaluation Subcommittee, expert advisory committee to the Minster of Health

• Dr Libby Roughead – Member of the PHARM evaluation subcommittee and the National Prescribing Service Evaluation Working Party