Medications

This indicator shows the number and percent of people with diabetes receiving any hypoglycaemic medication regularly. Regular use was defined as hypoglycaemic medication dispensed in three or more quarters in a year

This indicator shows the number and percent of people with diabetes receiving sulfonylureas (glibenclamide, gliclazide and glipizide) regularly. Regular use was defined as sulfonylureas dispensed in three or more quarters in a year.

This indicator shows the number and percent of people with diabetes receiving dulaglutide regularly. Regular use was defined as dulaglutide dispensed in three or more quarters in a year.

This indicator shows the number and percent of people with diabetes receiving empagliflozin regularly. Regular use was defined as empagliflozin dispensed in three or more quarters in a year.

This indicator shows the number and percent of people with diabetes receiving vildagliptin regularly. Regular use was defined as vildagliptin dispensed in three or more quarters in a year.

This indicator shows the number and percent of people aged 12-44 years who were regularly dispensed SMART Formoterol/Budesonide therapy. Regular dispensing was defined as dispensing in two or more quarters in the year. This indicator measures uptake of this inhaler, relative to other asthma inhalers.  Specifically, of all people who were dispensed any asthma inhaler (SABA, LABA, ICS or LABA/ICS combination), what percentage were dispensed a combined budesonide + formoterol inhaler. 

This measure details the percentage of people aged 65 years and over who received the ‘triple whammy’ during the same 90-day period.  The term “triple whammy” refers to the concurrent use of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB), with a diuretic and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), including cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. 

This measure shows the percentage of people aged 65 years and over who were dispensed a benzodiazepine or zopiclone  and an antipsychotic in the same quarter during the calendar year. This measure cannot assess inappropriate use of these medicines, however, high rates of prescribing may indicate misuse or overuse. 

This measure shows the percentage of people aged 65 years and over who were dispensed a benzodiazepine or zopiclone during the calendar year. This measure cannot assess inappropriate use of these medicines, however, high rates of prescribing may indicate misuse or overuse. 

This measure shows the percentage of people aged 65 years and over who were dispensed five, six or seven unique long-term medicines.