GP Program Advisor

Dr Cameron Profitt

Program officer

GP Association, 5222 0800

Program summary

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) is an independent government funded organisation who provides educational activities on quality use of medicines (QUM).

The NPS Facilitator (Bree Armstrong) can provide educational visits and group case study discussions either at your practice or through evening events at the GP Association of Geelong premises, watch for these in the Weekly News.

Incentives for GPs:

• Obtain up-to-date, independent information on a range of clinical topics
• Obtain RACGP QA&CPD points, 2 category 2 points per activity.

Choice of individualised information sessions or a chance to discuss the information in a group setting with colleagues

Updates/latest developments

Current therapeutic topic:

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention.

Early use of insulin and other antidiabetic agents - 76 GPs in Geelong have been visited on this topic so far.

Treating the symptoms of Dementia - 72 GPs have been visited on this topic.

Bookings can be made for any topic until 30 June 2009.

Links to other websites

NPS RADAR - contains articles for timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals. Published regularly throughout the year

Australian Prescriber - an independent publication providing readily accessible information about drugs and therapeutics. It covers topics assisting doctors, dentists, pharmacists and students.

The Therapeutic Advice and Information Service Line - the TAIS line is a medicines information line specifically for health professionals including doctors for complex medication enquiries. Phone 1300 138 677 Monday to Friday 9am-7pm.

NPS News - provides succinct, independent information on therapeutic topics distributed free of charge to all GPs and pharmacists along with Australian Prescriber 6 times a year.

Prescribing Practice Review - independent, evidence-based information about therapeutics for all Australian GPs sent approximately 4 times a year. The PPR is mailed approximately a month after NPS News and contains complementary information to NPS News.