Table 1 Examples of medicine related policies

Adverse medication events

Prescription charges

Antimicrobial stewardship

Purchasing of medicines

Availability of high cost specialist medicines

Quality of Medicines

Essential medicine lists

Reimbursement of dispensed medication

Generic substitution

Storage, safe handling and administration

Medicines information for patients

Use of patients own medicines following hospital admission

Medicines legislative control

Use of unlicensed (and off-label) medicines

Partnership with the pharmaceutical industry