National Prescribing Service (NPS) Program

Overview of the Program

The National Prescribing Service (NPS – www.nps.org.au) program is an Australian organisation independent of Government and the pharmaceutical industry, supporting Quality use of Medicines. The NPS works with doctors, pharmacist, other medical specialists and health professionals, Government, industry and consumers to improve the health of all Australians through Quality use of Medicines. The key role of NPS is to provide unbiased and evidenced-based advice about quality prescribing and quality use of medicines on a variety of therapeutic topics.

• Develop activities relevant to best practice prescribing and best use of medicines in the Community
• To develop a network between GPs and community pharmacists
• To integrate the delivery of NPS topics into other relevant division programs

Program Delivery

The Far North Queensland Rural Division of General Practice works in collaboration with Health Workforce Queensland to tailor programs to meet the local needs. The Division employs a local NPS facilitator (Howard Punchard - pharmacist) who provides services to general practitioners in the local Division at a time to suit the individual GP. Educational visits earn RACGP QA&CPD points and quality for QPI-PIP.

• National Prescribing Service (NPS) Practice visits 3 – 4 times a year on a different clinical topic each time.
• Small group discussions
• CME evenings (case studies)
• Clinical Audits (Enhanced Divisional QUM - in addition to what is offered by NPS)