National Prescribing Service

 

National Prescribing Services

 

What is NPS

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) provides independent evidence-based information, services and resources to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines. NPS aims to provide quality communications in the prescribing process that is independent of the government and the pharmaceutical industry. Click here to visit the NPS website. The NPS is a non profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
    

Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI)

The QPI is one of the incentive programs of the Practice Incentive Program (PIP). The program recognises and rewards general practices that provide comprehensive, quality care and are either accredited at working towards accreditation. The QPI/PIP payment is paid to practices for completion of activities that contribute to quality care including better prescribing. Participating practices are entitled to $1.00 per standardised whole patient equivalent or around $1000 per full time equivalent GP.
The level of participation in NPS activities is determined by Medicare Australia following Practice registration. If you would like to know how the QPI can work for your Practice, contact Medicare Australia on 1800 222 032 or Click here. 
The QPI/PIP participation activities for each PIP cycle (1st May – 30th April) include:
1. Education visits / small group discussions
2. Clinical audits
3.  Case studies
On average, three activities must be completed each PIP cycle per FTE GP. One of every three activities must be a clinical audit, and the other two include education visits or case study. (optional to choose 1 of each or 2 of the same activity)
It is not necessary for each GP within the Practice to participate however, at least one or more GP will need to complete the total number of activities listed on the Medicare PIP statement within the PIP cycle in order to receive the practice incentive payment.
     
 

Education visits / Small group discussions

The Divisions QUM Facilitator is Donna Clapham B.Pharm, Dip Hosp Pharm. who provides one on one education visits with GPs, and Pharmacists at a time convenient to both the parties and the Practice/Pharmacy to allow the effective delivery of key messages for the current NPS topic.
You can contact the NPS Facilitator on 02 8884 9444 to arrange a one on one education visit on the current NPS topic. During the visit the NPS Facilitator can discuss how current evidence on a specific therapeutic topic translates into quality prescribing for their patients.
The Facilitator can also provide advice on obtaining information to undertake other NPS activities such as clinical audits and case studies.
  

Case Studies

The NPS provide GPs with case studies as an insert in the NSP News and the Division promote all case studies via the Divisions newsletter as well as during education visits. 
Case studies present a clinical scenario accompanied by a set of questions that are designed to help participants refine their clinical decision-making skills. All participants will receive a feedback report that includes expert commentaries on the case study along with aggregated responses that provide a snapshot of your colleagues' responses. The expert commentaries are usually provided by a specialist physician and a GP with a special interest in the area.
GPs can now complete case studies online Click here or alternatively you can use the printed version of the case study that has been inserted within the NPS News.
 

Clinical Audits

Clinical audits are provided free of charge to GPs. They can be completed individually or used in group activities and workshops. All participants receive a personalised feedback report and certificate of completion as well as receive RACGP or ACRRM points.
NPS clinical audits are released three to four times a year. Enrolment forms are mailed directly to all GPs as an insert in Prescribing Practice Review.
Information regarding clinical audits are also included in the Division bi-monthly newsletter. Click here to visit NPS website to view the current clinical audit.
    

Other NPS Services

Therapeutic Advice & Information Service

The Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS) is a national telephone service for general practitioners, community pharmacists and other health professionals. The service provides immediate access to evidence-based independent drug and therapeutics information such as:
interactions with other drugs, foods or complementary therapies – and how to manage these
side effects, especially unusual ones not included in the product information
safety of drugs in pregnancy and lactation
Use of drugs for unlicensed indications – is there good evidence to support use?
Information about new drugs.
You can contact TAIS on ( 1300 138 677 (local call charge) or Click here to visit TAIS to use the on line enquiry form for non urgent enquiries.
  

Rational Assessment of Drugs & Research

Does the lack of information about new medicines frustrate you? Ever wondered why some medicines on the PBS have restrictions which limit the types of patients for whom they can be prescribed?
NPS RADAR provides timely, independent, evidence-based information on new drugs, research and PBS listings.
Click here to view RADAR online as well as register to receive NPS RADAR alerts.
  

Common Cold Needs Common Sense, not Antibiotics Campaign

The annual Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics national campaign was launched on June 4. The purpose of the campaign is to enhance the effect of the health professional antibiotics program by reducing consumer expectations for antibiotics for common colds. The NPS has sent resources to all Practices. Click here to the NPS website and then click on the common cold symbol to access campaign information and order resources.
The NPS Facilitator will also discuss this campaign in conjunction with any topic education visit.
  

NPS National Campaign "get to know your medicines"

Useful Links

 

   
Updated 13/08/2008