PHUM Current Projects
In our first year we have prioritised our research program and have established projects in a number of areas. Our current suite of projects includes investigating the population health outcomes related to use of the following drug classes:
- Statins
- Antidepressants
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including COX-2 inhibitors and analgesics
- Medications used to treat heart failure
We are also investigating quality use of medicines issues arising from pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics (the study of the effect of genetic or genomic variation on medication response). Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are potentially useful fields of study that can help rationalise pharmacological spending by the Government as well as potentially reducing side effects and other adverse reactions. PHUM is investigating the costs/benefits of using genetic testing to identify patients who will most benefit from high cost drugs like the newer oncology and arthritis medications as well as looking at the feasibility of using genetic information to accurately target medication dosages.
"Better Use of Better Data"