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Home About us Policy Frameworks Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality Statewide Medicines Formulary Policy

Statewide Medicines Formulary Policy

Applicable to: This policy is applicable to all Health Service Providers that prescribe medicines to the public, including outpatient services. It applies to all prescribers to support safe, cost-effective, equitable and evidence-based prescribing and medicine management governance.

Description: The purpose of the Statewide Medicines Formulary Policy is to specify the clinical governance, safety and quality requirements in relation to the initiation of prescribed medicines to ensure effective, equitable and consistent clinical care is provided across the WA health system.

The WA Statewide Medicines Formulary (SMF) is a single list of approved medicines which can be initiated by prescribers across the WA health system, along with any restrictions and guidance that may be in place for the prescribing of that medicine. The aim of the SMF is to promote and facilitate the delivery of optimal patient outcomes in Western Australia in an equitable manner. The SMF has been evaluated, implemented and managed in a systemwide approach with expert review by the WA Medicines Evaluation Panel (WAMEP). WAMEP is a multidisciplinary body that governs SMF decisions. WAMEP membership includes (but is not limited to), senior medical practitioners, senior nurses, senior pharmacists, Department of Health and consumer representatives.

The SMF is underpinned by the Australian National Medicines Policy which aims to improve positive health outcomes focusing on patients’ access to, and wise use of, medicines. A central objective of the Australian National Medicines Policy is the quality use of medicines which encompasses:

  • selecting management options wisely
  • choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary
  • using medicines safely and effectively.

Legislation pertinent to this policy includes:

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

 

This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c)(d) of the Health Services Act 2016.

 

 

Date of effect: 31 January 2018

Policy Framework

Supporting information

wa.gov.au