The South Australian Medicines Advisory Committee (SAMAC) was established in July 2010 to encourage the appropriate, equitable, safe and cost-effective use of medicines in South Australia through promoting the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). SAMAC operates as an expert committee of the South Australian Department of Health.
SAMAC provides a resource for SA Health, South Australian hospitals and healthcare professionals in the delivery of advice on the equitable and quality use of medicines in South Australia to provide all South Australians with access to quality, safe, complete and affordable health care.
The role of SAMAC includes:
- Promoting consistency in the development of guidelines and strategies relating to the use of medicines within South Australia.
- Providing an objective evaluation of the clinical benefits, safety and costs of medicines that are proposed for use in public health facilities to promote rational therapeutic drug use.
- Undertaking activities relating to the monitoring of medicines use to ensure best practice.
- Dissemination of medicines advice to the community, enabling consumers to make informed decisions on the use of medicines.
Chaired by Professor Emeritus Lloyd Sansom AO, SAMAC is composed of representatives covering the spectrum of health disciplines across the public and private sectors and other bodies with an interest in the use of medicines.
SAMAC is supported by multidisciplinary expert standing committees and working groups to address specific medicines issues. These committees will provide stakeholders with opportunities for robust discussion, debate, and evaluation of medicines issues.
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