Pharmacoepidemiology

Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of medication utilisation, safety and effectiveness in different population groups. We analyse ‘big data’ to generate new evidence to improve clinical and policy decision making. Our research is multidisciplinary and is conducted in partnership with leading clinicians from Australia and around the world.

We have particular expertise in analyses of medication data from cohort studies, clinical registries and administrative health databases. This includes analyses of Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and electronic medical record data.

Our research investigates the ‘real world’ safety and effectiveness of medications for vulnerable population groups who are often excluded from randomised controlled trials. These included for example older people; people living with dementia, frailty or chronic diseases; residents of aged care homes. A focus of our research is to address evidence- practice gaps by generating high quality observational study evidence.

We lead and participate in a series of international collaborations with other world-leading research groups, including the Neurodegenerative Diseases Global Epidemiology Network (NeuroGEN) and Optimising Geriatric Pharmacotherapy through Pharmacoepidemiology Network (OPPEN).