New prescribing measures aim to improve medicine safety
17 Sep 2026
Researchers from Monash University have developed 23 quality prescribing indicators (QPIs) for common conditions and prescribing situations in Australian general practice.
The indicators were developed through a detailed review of evidence and a consensus process involving GPs, pharmacists and other health professionals. The research has been published in BMJ Quality & Safety.
The 23 indicators cover seven areas of prescribing:
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Vaccinations
- Blood pressure medicines
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Asthma inhalers
- Mental health medicines
- Pain relief
The indicators cover areas such as when medicines should be started, how treatment should be monitored, potentially risky medicine combinations and when deprescribing may be appropriate.
Researchers said the indicators could help identify prescribing practices that may increase the risk of medicine-related harm. They could also support efforts to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and improve the use of medicines in primary care.
Australia has not had an updated national set of quality prescribing indicators for primary care for many years. Earlier indicators were developed in 2006 and focused mainly on older patients.
Professor Dimity Pond, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Research and one of the study authors, said the new indicators address common prescribing issues in general practice and reflect current prescribing risks.
She said the indicators could help draw attention to areas where prescribing may not follow best practice and provide clearer guidance in situations where there is a higher risk of medicine-related harm.
Professor Pond also said the indicators could eventually be included in existing quality improvement activities, including regular audits and feedback.
Associate Professor Johnson George from Monash University’s Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, who was the senior author, said the indicators provide a practical framework for identifying potentially inappropriate prescribing and supporting safer medicine use.
The next stage of the research will test the indicators in primary care clinics through a randomised controlled trial. The trial will also examine educational support, audit and feedback and other strategies aimed at improving medication safety.
New prescribing measures aim to improve medicine safety
Source: BMJ Quality & Safety