New framework aims to deliver consistent, person-centred medication management.
The University of South Australia is spearheading a national pilot to tackle one of aged care’s biggest safety challenges – the misuse and mismanagement of medicines among older Australians.
Aged care providers and pharmacists are being urged to join the initiative, which will test a new evidence-based framework designed to lift medication safety standards across the sector.
Developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the PHARMA-Care National Quality Framework will be used to assess and improve how medicines are prescribed, supplied, and reviewed in residential aged care.
Backed by the Australian Government’s $350 million Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Program and funded through the Medical Research Future Fund, the UniSA-led project aims to deliver safer, more consistent, person-centred medication management for residents.
Chief Investigator, Associate Professor Janet Sluggett from UniSA, said the framework filled a critical gap in the aged care system.
“With society moving to models of care where older people choose to remain at home for longer, those entering residential aged care are increasingly frailer with complex medical histories and high care needs,” she said.
“Pharmacists are critical to ensuring medications are used safely and effectively among residents of aged care homes, but until now, there hasn’t been a structure for comprehensively evaluating quality use of medicines in this setting.
“Our framework gives aged care homes and pharmacists structure and support to deliver high-quality, consistent care, under five key domains relating to medication management.
“It helps on-site pharmacists measure impact, contributes to clinical governance, and promotes discussion with care teams, residents, and families to achieve person-centred care.
“Importantly, it identifies enablers that facilitate the quality use of medicines and supports ongoing improvement, as well as highlighting aspects of medicines-related care that matter most to residents.”
Almost every person living in aged care (98%) has at least one medication-related problem, with many taking potentially inappropriate medicines.
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One in three residents is hospitalised each year, and nearly one in five unplanned admissions are linked to medication issues.
The new framework seeks to address these alarming figures by helping pharmacists identify and fix risks associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing.
Eldercare’s operational services executive, Anne-Marie Gillard, said the PHARMA-Care project was setting a new benchmark for quality use of medicines in aged care homes.
“This initiative empowers pharmacists, clinicians, and care providers to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care for older Australians,” she said.
“Eldercare is proud to be part of this visionary work that will drive excellence and deliver safer outcomes across the sector.”
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has endorsed the framework, with president Associate Professor Fei Sim describing it as a vital guide for credentialed pharmacists working in aged care.
Senior research fellow Dr Sara Javanparast said the UniSA team was testing the framework in aged care homes across Australia and seeking expressions of interest from providers and on-site pharmacists.
“Building a national quality monitoring system for medication safety in aged care is a critical step forward,” she said.
“By partnering with pharmacists and providers, we can improve safety, strengthen communication, and enhance quality of life for residents.”
