Quality Use of Medicines Program (QUM)
QUM is one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy. QUM means:
- Selecting management options wisely;
- Choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary; and
- Using medicines safely and effectively.
The definition of QUM applies equally to decisions about medicine use by individuals and decisions that affect the health of the population.
The term 'medicine' includes prescription, non-prescription and complementary medicines.
Quality use of medicines is built around the core concepts of judicious, appropriate, safe and effective use of medications.
