Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

Taking a consortium approach for collective impact on national health topics

The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance is a unique consortium of health sector organisations representing quality use of medicines expertise, education providers, researchers, colleges, peak bodies, member-based organisations, and consumer groups. 

The QUM Alliance was formed in 2023 to address national health priorities with national programs of health professional education and consumer health literacy. With funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the first areas addressed include eczema, gout, antidepressants in older adults and anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation.

Further funding has been secured for the next three years to address 5 new topics including  antidepressants in teens and young adults, menopause, secondary stroke prevention, osteoporosis following a fracture and complex multimorbidity in older adults. 

The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance includes: 

• Medcast: a nationwide provider of independent education for a range of health professions.
• Health Care Consumers’ Association: a peak organisation working to improve the quality and safety of healthcare.
• Arthritis Australia: the national peak charity supporting people living with arthritis.
• Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA): the peak body and professional membership association for all nurses working outside of a hospital setting in Australia.
• Black Dog Institute: a globally renowned mental health research institute affiliated with UNSW Sydney. 
• Carers Australia: the national peak body representing Australia’s family and friend carers.
• Eczema Support Australia: a national support organisation providing connection, advocacy and information to Australians living with eczema.
• Healthy Bones Australia: the peak body focussed on improving bone health nationally and representing consumers impacted by osteoporosis
• Jean Hailes for Women’s Health: a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women's health.
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): the national peak body representing 146 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia: the national peak professional pharmacy body
• QUM Connect: a specialist consultancy connecting expertise to support the quality use of medicines.
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP): Australia’s largest professional organisation for general practice.
• Stroke Foundation: a national charity focussed on stroke prevention and recovery.
• Sydney Health Literacy Lab: a research group within the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health.
• Wiser Healthcare: a national collaboration involving several universities with a focus on overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance will collaborate with a wide range of health and consumer organisations for a further three years until January 2028.