Australia RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th edition) QI2.2: Safe and quality use of medicines: patients are told the purpose, importance, benefits and risks of their medicines and treatments and made aware of their own role; the clinical team uses current medicines information and reviews its prescribing patterns against evidence; patients and the providers they are referred to receive an accurate current medicines list; and medicines, samples and consumables are acquired, stored, administered, supplied and disposed of as manufacturers and the law require

What does QI2.2 require?

Medicines cause more harm than any other intervention in primary care, so each step is managed. Prescribers explain to patients what a medicine is for, why it matters, its benefits and risks, and what the patient needs to do, such as how to take it and what to watch for. Clinicians have access to current medicines references and the practice reviews prescribing patterns, for example antibiotics, opioids and benzodiazepines, against best available evidence through audit and discussion. An accurate and current medicines list goes with the patient and with every referral. Medicines held in the practice, including samples, vaccines, emergency drugs and Schedule 8 and 4D medicines, are obtained from legitimate suppliers, stored at the right temperature and security, administered and supplied under the relevant State or Territory law, tracked for expiry, and disposed of safely.