Pharmaceutical Society of Australia - Medicines safety reports (2019)

Summary

These reports by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia look at different aspects of medication safety.

Medicine safety: Take care

This report details the extent of harms in Australia as a result of medicine use. It highlights that 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year, with another 400,000 presenting to emergency departments, as a result of medication errors, inappropriate use, misadventure and interactions. At least half of these incidents could have been prevented.

Medicine safety: Aged care

This report provides data about the real and current medication safety problems affecting older care residents across Australia.

Medicine safety: Rural and remote care

This report highlights the extreme challenges patients in rural and remote Australia have in accessing health care and the impact that this has on the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Medicine safety: Disability care

This report focuses on the challenges that people with disability face in using medicines safely and effectively. The report found that people with disability face challenges at all stages of medicine use–prescribing, dispensing, administration and adherence and monitoring.

Medicine safety forum: Informing Australia’s 10th National Health priority area

This report presents a summary of views and experiences shared at a stakeholder workshop in December 2019.