Profiling program launched

A patient medication profile is a comprehensive summary of all regular medication taken by a patient, including prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

The program aims to help at-risk patients better understand and manage their medication, and improve communication between the patient and other health professionals, especially on admittance to and discharge from hospitals or nursing homes. Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing via the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement, the program is administered by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia with the support of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

"The PMP Program is another important step in the process of community pharmacies, doctors and patients working together to provide better health care, better medication management and ultimately better health outcomes," said Guild national president, Kos Sclavos.

The program will be implemented in two phases, with phase one starting this month. This involves the implementation of the PMP Program to run concurrently with an evaluation process, the purpose of which is to determine which patients benefit most from the provision of a PMP, and refine the program for phase two.

"Community pharmacists have much to offer patients in the provision of professional healthcare advice,"  said PSA national president, Brian Grogan.

"The PMP Program gives pharmacists an opportunity to further develop that role while ensuring the quality use of medicines for patients."