WATAG Update

1. WATAG Update Gary Geelhoed, WATAG Chairman David Lyon, WATAG Executive Officer Presented at the CATAG meeting, Sydney, 18th March 2013

2. New positions • WATAG and WAMSG Chairman • Gary Geelhoed • WADEP Executive Officers – from 0.4 to 1.0 FTE • Rebecca Day • Rebecca Godfrey from January 2013 • WAMSG Project Coordinator • Kathy Irwin from late March 2013 • Administrative changes

3. High-cost drug evaluations • sugammadex • rifaximin • fampridine • Process improvements • Streamlined hospital listing of PBS medicines • Strengthen relationships with hospital DTCs • Provision of IPA and MAP data • Improved access to i.Pharmacy data

4. Medication safety • NSQHS Standard 4 • High-risk medicines policy guidelines • Timely administration of medicines • Development of guidance and practical strategies (Working Group) • Closer link between WAMSG and Office of Safety and Quality

5. Antimicrobial stewardship • Establishment of a WA Antimicrobial Advisory Committee • Terms of reference and constitution • Membership • Project coordinator support • NSQHS Standard 3

6. On the radar • ABF / ABM and how it relates to medicines • WA statewide formulary – pre-approval • Health reforms – LHN and Medicare Locals • Electronic medication management • Clinical governance of medicines – system approach