National Audit Highlights Strengths and Opportunities in Medication Oversight in Australian Aged Care

A comprehensive national audit conducted by Monash University has provided valuable insights into how medication management is structured and operated within Australian residential aged care facilities. The study revealed significant variations in the organization and functioning of Medication Advisory Committees (MACs) across different regions, highlighting both their vital role and areas needing enhancement.

MACs are essential for ensuring medication safety in aged care settings, particularly in managing polypharmacy, which involves the concurrent use of nine or more medications. These multidisciplinary groups are tasked with overseeing policies, risk management, staff education, and quality improvement efforts related to medication use. The Australian Government recommends that all residential care homes establish and maintain active MACs to promote the safe and appropriate use of medicines and reduce adverse events.

The audit, developed using the Department of Health and Aged Care's MAC Assessment Tool, evaluated 120 MACs overseeing 642 aged care homes—roughly a quarter of all facilities in the country. The findings indicated that while most MACs are engaged in policy development and risk oversight—with 59% performing all recommended functions—they still have substantial capacity for further development. Additionally, 41% were actively involved in educational activities, and 28% participated in quality improvement initiatives.

Lead researcher Dr. Amanda Cross emphasized that these findings demonstrate both strengths and opportunities for growth within medication governance in aged care. She underscored the importance of supporting MACs through adequate resources, which could enable them to lead more transformative improvements in medication safety.

Looking ahead, the upcoming implementation of new Aged Care Quality Standards from July 2025 is seen as an opportunity for MACs to play a central role in maintaining high-quality clinical care for nearly 200,000 Australians residing in aged care facilities. Expert perspectives, such as from Professor Simon Bell of the MEGA-MAC project, highlight initiatives like real-time clinical networks designed to facilitate ongoing quality improvement efforts.

Overall, this audit underscores the potential of MACs to significantly enhance medication oversight and safety in Australia’s aged care sector, provided they receive the necessary support and integration into standard care practices.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-national-reveals-key-strengths-opportunities.html