We recently held rural/regional and metropolitan consultation workshops as part of its ongoing engagement on the Victorian Medicines Formulary (the Formulary). More than 100 representatives from 43 Victorian health services took part, as well as representatives from statewide health organisations, government agencies and professional bodies.
The Formulary is a whole-of-government system reform led by Safer Care Victoria in partnership with HealthShare Victoria. It will establish a single, evidence-informed list of medicines for initiation in Victorian public health services, supported by statewide clinical governance and clear indications for use.
The reform aims to:
- improve equitable access to medicines
- support safe and consistent medicine use
- reduce unnecessary differences in prescribing practices
- strengthen the sustainability of Victoria’s public health system through evidence-informed medicines decision-making.
Listening to rural, regional and metropolitan health services
The workshops provided an opportunity for health services and other health sector stakeholders to share their perspectives on the Formulary, including the opportunities it presents, implementation considerations and what support will be needed for success.
There was strong recognition of the potential for the Formulary to improve equity, safety and consistency in medicines access and use across Victoria. Participants consistently highlighted opportunities to:
- reduce duplication of medicines evaluation work
- improve sharing of clinical expertise across the health system
- support more transparent, evidence-informed medicines decision-making.
Participants emphasised that successful implementation will depend on the Formulary being practical, trusted and easy to use. It will need to be supported by clear communication, ongoing engagement and implementation approaches that recognise the different needs and operating environments of Victorian health services.
While there was strong support for the reform's objectives, participants also raised some important concerns and questions that require further consideration. Addressing these areas will be key to making sure the Formulary is effective, sustainable and valued by health services across Victoria.
Learning from other jurisdictions
Both workshops included a panel discussion with Vaughn Eaton, Director of SA Pharmacy at the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, and Anita Shutt, Director of Medication Governance and Access at the Tasmania Department of Health. At the rural and regional workshop, they were joined by Michelle Penny, Pharmacist in Charge, Clinical Services at West Wimmera Health Service, who previously worked in South Australia during the establishment of its statewide formulary.
Drawing on their experience implementing statewide formularies, the panellists shared practical lessons and reflections to help inform Victoria's approach. A common theme was that progress should not be delayed in pursuit of perfection. Instead, they encouraged a staged approach that builds on existing systems and expertise, continues to learn from stakeholders and evolves over time.
What happens next
The workshops have given us a strong foundation for the next phase of the Victorian Medicines Formulary. The perspectives shared by participants, alongside lessons from other jurisdictions, the broader evidence base and ongoing stakeholder engagement will help shape a practical, trusted and effective statewide approach.
The consultation also highlighted areas where further consideration and discussion are needed. We will continue working with health services and other health sector stakeholders to address these questions and refine the model as we move towards implementation. We will share the key themes, how feedback is influencing the reform, and the next steps towards a safer, fairer and more sustainable approach to medicines across Victoria.
Stay informed
We will continue to work closely with clinicians, health services, consumers and sector partners as the Formulary develops.
Register your interest to stay up to date with the Formulary initiative. Registered stakeholders will receive project updates and may be invited to take part in future engagement activities, including consultation workshops.
Stay updated with the Formulary
More information
Learn more about the Victorian Medicines Formulary.
If you have questions or feedback, please contact: medicinesformulary@safercare.vic.gov.au.