Statewide Medicines Formulary Policy
MP 0077/18 - Statewide Medicines Formulary Policy (pdf 134KB)
Applicable to: This Policy is applicable to all Health Service Providers that provide medicines to the public. It applies to all prescribers to guide appropriate and equitable access to medicines and medicine management governance.
Description: The purpose of the Statewide Medicines Formulary Policy (the Policy) is to specify the clinical governance, safety and quality requirements in relation to prescribed medicines to ensure effective, equitable and consistent clinical care is provided across the WA health system.
The WA Statewide Medicines Formulary (SMF) is a single list of approved medicines which may be initiated in public hospitals in Western Australia, along with any restrictions and guidance that may be in place on the prescribing of that medicine. The aim of the SMF is to assist the delivery of optimal patient outcomes in Western Australia in an equitable manner. The SMF has been evaluated, implemented and managed in a systemwide approach as stated in the SMF Guidelines, with expert review by the WA Drug Evaluation Panel (WADEP). WADEP is a multidisciplinary body that governs the formulary; membership includes Consultants, Senior Nurses, Senior Pharmacists, Department of Health representatives and one consumer representative.
The SMF is underpinned by the Australian National Medicines Policy which aims to improve positive health outcomes focusing on patients’ access to, and wise use of, medicines. A central objective of the Australian National Medicines Policy is the Quality Use of Medicines, this encompasses:
- selecting management options wisely;
- choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary; and
- using medicines safely and effectively.
This Policy is a mandatory requirement under the Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality Policy Framework.
This Policy supersedes OP 1755/04 Rationalisation of Warfarin Brands and OD 0626/15 Antimicrobial Stewardship Policy.
Date of effect: 31 January 2018
Policy Framework
Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality
WA Statewide Medicines Formulary Guidelines
Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidance Document
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing: National Medicines Policy
Council of Australian Therapeutic Advisory Groups (CATAG): Rethinking Medicines Decision Making: Guiding Principles for the quality use of off-label medicines
CATAG: Achieving Effective Medicines Governance: Guiding Principles for the roles and responsibilities of Drugs and Therapeutics Committees in Australian public hospitals
Who Can Prescribe Medicines in Western Australia