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How the Australian Medicines Handbook is Updated and Reviewed: A Quality Assurance Process for Drug Information
Australian Medicines Handbook PDF 48: A Comprehensive and Reliable Drug Reference for Health Professionals
If you are a health professional in Australia, you probably know how important it is to have access to accurate and up-to-date drug information. Whether you are prescribing, dispensing, administering, or monitoring medications, you need to be aware of their indications, dosages, interactions, adverse effects, contraindications, precautions, and more. You also need to be able to compare different drugs within and between classes and choose the most appropriate one for each patient and situation.
australian medicines handbook pdf 48
But where can you find such information? There are many drug references available in Australia, but not all of them are independent, comprehensive, reliable, or user-friendly. Some of them are restricted to approved product information, some of them contain pharmaceutical product or industry advertising, some of them are subject to government or industry approval, and some of them are outdated or incomplete.
That's why you need the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH). The AMH is a project to develop a national formulary for Australia. It is a non-profit, collaborative venture between the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). The AMH is widely recognised as Australia's leading independent medicines reference providing concise, practical, and reliable drug information. The book is designed with the busy health professional in mind.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the AMH, including how to access it online and offline, what are its main features and benefits, and how it is updated and reviewed. By the end of this article, you will be convinced that the AMH is the best drug reference for you and your practice.
How to Access the AMH Online and Offline
The AMH is available in both online and offline formats. You can access it through the AMH website, the AMH app, the AMH PDF, or the AMH e-book. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your preferences, needs, and resources. Here is a brief overview of each option:
Online Access: How to Register, Log In, and Use the AMH Website and App
If you prefer to access the AMH online, you can use either the AMH website or the AMH app. The AMH website is accessible from any device with an internet connection and a web browser. The AMH app is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
To access the AMH online, you need to register for an account. You can do this by visiting the AMH website and clicking on "Register" in the top right corner. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your name, email address, profession, and organisation. You will also need to choose a password and agree to the terms and conditions of use.
Once you have registered, you can log in to the AMH website or app using your email address and password. You will then be able to access the full content of the AMH online, including all the drug monographs, drug classes, treatments, appendices, tables, indexes, and more. You will also be able to search for drugs by name, class, or indication, browse by therapeutic topic or alphabetical order, bookmark your favourite pages, add notes or comments, share links with colleagues or patients, print or download pages as PDFs, and more.
Offline Access: How to Order, Download, and Use the AMH PDF and E-book
If you prefer to access the AMH offline, you can use either the AMH PDF or the AMH e-book. The AMH PDF is a digital version of the printed book that can be downloaded from the AMH website and viewed on any device with a PDF reader. The AMH e-book is an electronic version of the printed book that can be downloaded from various e-book platforms (such as Amazon Kindle or Apple Books) and viewed on any device with an e-book reader.
To access the AMH offline, you need to order it from the AMH website. You can do this by visiting the AMH website and clicking on "Order" in the top right corner. You will need to choose between the PDF or e-book option and provide some payment details. The price of the PDF or e-book is $220 (including GST) for a single user license. You will also need to agree to the terms and conditions of use.
Once you have ordered it, you will receive an email with a link to download your chosen format. You will then be able to download it to your device and view it offline. You will be able to access all the content of the AMH offline, except for some features that require an internet connection (such as links to external websites or updates). You will also be able to search for drugs by name or class, browse by therapeutic topic or alphabetical order, zoom in or out of pages, highlight or annotate text, bookmark your favourite pages, print or share pages as PDFs, and more.
Comparison of Online and Offline Access: Pros and Cons of Each Option
As you can see, there are pros and cons of accessing the AMH online or offline. Here is a summary of some of them:
Online Access Offline Access --- --- Pros Pros - Always up-to-date with the latest information - No internet connection required - Accessible from any device with an internet connection - Compatible with any device with a PDF or e-book reader - Easy to search, browse, bookmark, share, print, etc. - Easy to download, view, zoom in/out, highlight, annotate etc. - Cheaper than offline access ($165 per year) - One-time payment ($220) Cons Cons - Requires an internet connection - Not always up-to-date with the latest information - Requires registration and login - Requires ordering and downloading - Expires after one year (unless renewed) - Limited to one user per license What are the Main Features and Benefits of the AMH?
The AMH is not just another drug reference. It has many features and benefits that make it stand out from other sources of drug information. Here are some of them:
Concise and Practical Drug Information: How the AMH Provides Relevant and Reliable Information on Drug Indications, Dosages, Interactions, Adverse Effects, Contraindications, Precautions, and More
The AMH provides concise and practical drug information that is relevant to the daily needs of health professionals. Unlike some other drug references that are restricted to approved product information, the AMH provides independent and evidence-based information that reflects real-world practice. The AMH covers over 3000 drugs in more than 1000 monographs, organised by therapeutic class. Each monograph contains information on the following aspects:
Indications: What conditions or symptoms the drug is used for
Dosage: How much, how often, and how long to use the drug
Administration: How to take or give the drug (e.g. orally, intravenously, topically, etc.)
Interactions: How the drug may affect or be affected by other drugs, foods, or substances
Adverse effects: What side effects or complications the drug may cause
Contraindications: When not to use the drug (e.g. in case of allergy, pregnancy, liver disease, etc.)
Precautions: What to watch out for or monitor when using the drug (e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function, etc.)
Counselling: What to tell or advise the patient or carer about using the drug (e.g. how to store it, when to take it, what to do if a dose is missed, etc.)
The information in each monograph is concise and easy to read and understand. It is presented in a consistent and logical format that allows users to quickly find what they need. It is also supported by references to reliable sources of evidence, such as clinical trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, or textbooks.
Comparative Information for Drugs Within and Between Classes: How the AMH Helps Users to Choose the Most Appropriate Drug for Each Patient and Situation
The AMH not only provides information on individual drugs but also on drugs within and between classes. This helps users to compare different drugs and choose the most appropriate one for each patient and situation. The AMH does this in several ways:
Drug classes: The AMH groups drugs into classes based on their pharmacological action or therapeutic use. For example, antidepressants are grouped into selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and others. Each class has an introduction that explains its general characteristics, indications, adverse effects, interactions, and precautions. Each class also has a table that compares the main features of each drug within the class.
Treatments: The AMH provides information on various therapeutic topics or conditions that require drug treatment. For example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, depression, etc. Each treatment has an introduction that explains its general principles, goals, guidelines, and non-drug measures. Each treatment also has a table that compares the main features of each drug or class of drugs used for that condition.
Appendices: The AMH provides additional information on various topics that are relevant to drug therapy. For example, adverse effects by system or organ class (e.g. cardiovascular adverse effects), drugs affecting laboratory tests (e.g. drugs that increase serum creatinine), drugs of abuse (e.g. opioids), immunisation schedules (e.g. Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule), etc. Each appendix has a table that compares the main features of each topic or item.
cost, convenience, patient preference, and comorbidities. It also helps users to avoid unnecessary duplication or polypharmacy and to identify potential alternatives or substitutes.
Practice Points and Treatment Considerations: How the AMH Reflects Current Australian Practice and Evidence-Based Guidelines on Various Therapeutic Topics
The AMH not only provides information on drugs but also on how to use them in practice. The AMH reflects current Australian practice and evidence-based guidelines on various therapeutic topics or conditions that require drug treatment. The AMH does this in several ways:
Practice points: The AMH provides practical tips or advice on how to use drugs in specific situations or populations. For example, how to adjust dosages in renal impairment, how to manage drug allergies, how to switch antidepressants, how to prescribe opioids for chronic pain, etc. Each practice point is highlighted by a blue box and is based on expert opinion or consensus.
Treatment considerations: The AMH provides additional information on how to approach drug therapy for certain conditions or scenarios. For example, how to treat hypertension in pregnancy, how to treat diabetes in older people, how to treat asthma in children, how to treat depression in bipolar disorder, etc. Each treatment consideration is highlighted by a green box and is based on evidence-based guidelines or recommendations.
The practice points and treatment considerations in the AMH help users to apply drug information in a clinical context and to tailor drug therapy to individual patients and situations. They also help users to keep up with the latest developments and best practices in therapeutics.
Tabulated Ancillary Information: How the AMH Provides Useful Tables on Drug Interactions, Pharmacokinetics, PBS Availability, Pregnancy Categories, etc.
The AMH not only provides information on drugs in text format but also in tabular format. The AMH provides useful tables on various topics that are relevant to drug therapy. The AMH does this in several ways:
Drug interactions: The AMH provides tables on common or clinically significant drug interactions. For example, drugs that interact with warfarin, drugs that interact with grapefruit juice, drugs that interact with oral contraceptives, etc. Each table lists the interacting drugs, the mechanism of interaction, the effect of interaction, and the management of interaction.
Pharmacokinetics: The AMH provides tables on pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs. For example, bioavailability, protein binding, volume of distribution, half-life, clearance, metabolism, excretion, etc. Each table lists the values or ranges of values for each parameter for each drug or class of drugs.
PBS availability: The AMH provides tables on PBS availability of drugs. For example, PBS listings by therapeutic group (e.g. antihypertensives), PBS restrictions by indication (e.g. antipsychotics), PBS authority required codes (e.g. A for streamlined authority), etc. Each table lists the PBS codes or criteria for each drug or class of drugs.
Australian pregnancy categories (e.g. A, B1, B2, B3, C, D, X), US pregnancy categories (e.g. A, B, C, D, X), UK pregnancy categories (e.g. A, B, C, D), etc. Each table lists the category and the definition or explanation for each drug or class of drugs.
The tabulated ancillary information in the AMH helps users to access important or useful information in a quick and easy way. It also helps users to compare or contrast different drugs or classes of drugs on various aspects.
Multiple Indexes: How the AMH Allows Users to Search by PBS, Generic Name, Brand Name, or Therapeutic Class
The AMH not only provides information on drugs in a structured and organised way but also in a flexible and searchable way. The AMH allows users to search for drugs by different criteria or methods. The AMH does this in several ways:
PBS index: The AMH provides an index of all the drugs that are listed on the PBS. The index is organised by therapeutic group and sub-group. Each entry lists the generic name, brand name, strength, form, pack size, and PBS code of each drug.
Generic name index: The AMH provides an index of all the drugs that are included in the AMH. The index is organised alphabetically by generic name. Each entry lists the generic name and the page number where the drug monograph can be found.
Brand name index: The AMH provides an index of all the drugs that are included in the AMH. The index is organised alphabetically by brand name. Each entry lists the brand name, the generic name, and the page number where the drug monograph can be found.
Therapeutic class index: The AMH provides an index of all the drugs that are included in the AMH. The index is organised by therapeutic class and sub-class. Each entry lists the therapeutic class, the generic name, and the page number where the drug monograph can be found.
The multiple indexes in the AMH help users to find what they are looking for in a convenient and efficient way. They also help users to cross-reference different drugs or classes of drugs by different names or categories.
How is the AMH Updated and Reviewed?
The AMH is not just a static or fixed source of drug information. It is a dynamic and evolving source of drug information that is updated and reviewed regularly and rigorously. The AMH does this in several ways:
Editorial Process: How the AMH is Prepared by a Team of Qualified Editors, Reviewed by an Editorial Advisory Board, and Peer-Reviewed by National Experts
or toxicology. The editors are responsible for researching, writing, editing, and updating the content of the AMH. The editors use reliable and reputable sources of evidence, such as clinical trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, or textbooks. The editors also consult with experts in various fields or specialties to ensure accuracy and relevance.
The AMH is reviewed by an editorial advisory board that consists of representatives from the RACGP, ASCEPT, and PSA. The editorial advisory board oversees the editorial process and provides guidance and feedback on the content and quality of the AMH. The editorial advisory board also approves the final version of the AMH before publication.
The AMH is peer-reviewed by national experts who have expertise in specific therapeutic areas or topics. The peer reviewers are invited to review the content of the AMH and provide comments or suggestions for improvement. The peer reviewers are acknowledged in the AMH for their contribution.
Update Frequency: How Often the AMH is Updated Online and Offline
The AMH is updated regularly to reflect the latest information and developments in drug therapy. The AMH does this in different ways for online and offline formats:
Online update: The AMH website and app are updated monthly with minor changes or corrections and quarterly with major changes or additions. The online update ensures that users always have access to the most current and accurate information available.
Offline update: The AMH PDF and e-book are updated annually with a new edition that incorporates all the changes or additions made throughout the year. The offline update ensures that users have a consistent and comprehensive version of the AMH at their disposal.
The update frequency of the AMH helps users to stay informed and up-to-date with drug therapy. It also helps users to avoid using outdated or incorrect information that may compromise patient safety or quality of care.
Feedback Mechanism: How Users Can Provide Feedback or Report Errors to the AMH Team
The AMH welcomes feedback from users to improve its content and quality. The AMH does this in several ways:
Feedback form: The AMH website and app have a feedback form that users can fill out and submit online. The feedback form allows users to provide comments, suggestions, questions, or complaints about any aspect of the AMH. The feedback form also allows users to report any errors or inaccuracies they may find in the AMH.
Email address: The AMH website and app have an email address that users can contact directly. The email address is info@amh.net.au. Users can use this email address to provide feedback or report errors to the AMH team.
Phone number: The AMH website and app have a phone number that users can call during business hours. The phone number is (08) 7099 8800. Users can use this phone number to speak to a member of the AMH team and provide feedback or report errors.
the AMH. It also helps users to receive answers or solutions to their queries or issues.
Conclusion
The AMH is a comprehensive and reliable drug reference for health professionals in Australia. It provides concise, practical, and independent drug information that is relevant, up-to-date, and evidence-based. It also provides comparative, contextual, and tabular information that helps users to choose and use drugs appropriately and effectively. The AMH is available in both online and offline formats that suit different preferences, needs, and resources. The AMH is updated and reviewed regularly and rigorously by a team of qualified editors, an editorial advisory board, and national experts. The AMH welcomes feedback from users to improve its content and quality.
If you are a health professional in Australia, you should definitely try out the AMH online or offline. You will find it to be a valuable and indispensable source of drug information for your practice. You will also find it to be a user-friendly and engaging source of drug informat