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Discipline Areas of Research Strengths

Quality Use of Medicines

No matter how much is known scientifically about the way in which various drugs work within the human body, people will only obtain maximum benefit from these drugs if they are used appropriately.  This involves knowledge of the appropriate circumstances in which a drug should be used, prescription of the correct drug at the correct dose, and accurate administration of this dose.  There are many influences on doctors to prescribe medicines that may be new or actively marketed, and it is vital that they be assisted in maintaining their knowledge and prescribing skills at a high level for the benefit of the whole community.

The aims of this group fall into two broad categories: (1) collection of information about drug prescribing and use with the aim of improving the rational use of drugs, and (2) application of scientific principles to the testing of drugs in humans in clinical trials, with the aim of providing information to support rational drug use.

DRUG AUDITS

CLINICAL TRIALS

APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

DRUG AUDITS

Drug audits are carried out within the hospital in collaboration with clinical pharmacists, physician trainees as well as medical students, who assess the appropriateness of prescribing and administration of drugs.

Examples of Current Projects
We currently have projects assessing the appropriateness of prescribing for the management of congestive cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, the prescription of anti-inflammatory medications, the bleeding risks associated with low molecular weight heparins, as well as the monitoring of the aminoglycosides gentamicin and tobramycin

        Dr Sepehr Shakib

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials in hypertension (high blood pressure): currently, departmental personnel are involved in a large-scale trial of the clinical outcomes obtained with the use of two different blood pressure lowering drugs

Dr Anne Tonkin
Ms Jenny Latte

Clinical trials of the beneficial effects of cold remedies, especially in relation to the effects on the nose

Ms Jenny Latte
Dr Anne Tonkin

Application to Practice

Many members of the Department are involved in the regulation of drug use at various levels.  The aim of this regulation is to promote rational use of drugs in the community.

At Commonwealth government level, involvement on Advisory Committee

Medicines Evaluation Committee

Prof Andrew Somogyi

Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee

Dr Anne Tonkin,

Pharmaceutical Subcommittee of the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee

Dr David Taverner

At national level, involvement in projects providing information about drugs and drug use

Australian Medicines Handbook

Prof Felix Bochner
Prof Andrew Somogyi

Therapeutic Guidelines

Prof Paul Rolan
Prof Jason White
Prof Andrew Somogyi

At hospital level, involvement in committees that promote quality use of medicines within the Royal Adelaide Hospital

Prof Felix Bochner, Chair of the Drug Committee
Dr David Taverner, Chair of the Investigational Drugs Subcommittee of the Research Ethics Committee