1679 – Improved medication management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Feasibility Study (IMeRSe Feasibility Study)

The Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement provided funding to support a Pharmacy Trial Program (PTP), which seeks to improve clinical outcomes for patients and/or utilise the full scope of a pharmacist’s role in delivering primary health care services.

The outcomes of all PTP Trials will undergo an independent health technology assessment to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the trial intervention and inform decisions about any broader rollout. A decision to fund any future programs would be a matter for Government.

Information on the PTP is available on the Department of Health website.

The Indigenous Medication Review Service (IMeRSe) study is a collaborative partnership between The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Griffith University and The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

The IMeRSe Feasibility Study developed and assessed the feasibility of a culturally responsive Indigenous Medication Review service, delivered by community pharmacists integrated with local Aboriginal Health Services (AHSs).

Type: Therapeutic technology

The IMeRSe Feasibility Study recruited clients of AHS who were:

• Aged 18 years and above,
• Living in the community with at least one chronic condition,
• At risk of medication-related problems (as identified by any treating health professional, family member or self-identified) including but not limited to:
  • being diagnosed with at least one chronic condition and/or is pregnant and /or is within 2 years post-partum;
  • instability of health status and/or medication therapy;
  • using high-risk medication(s);
  • likelihood of compromised adherence;
  • new therapeutic goals;
  • potentially incomplete understanding of medication use; or
  • failure to respond to treatment in an expected way.
• Who had engaged with the AHS at least 3 times in the past 2 years, and
• Accessed medications from one of the associated community pharmacists.

• PASC consultation: Not applicable
• MSAC consultation: Closed 11 February 2022

• PASC meeting: Bypassing PASC
• ESC meeting: 10 to 11 February 2022
• MSAC meeting: 31 March to 1 April 2022