Medication safety, prescribing and the medicines management process in mental health

Therapeutic interventions for mental health consumers frequently include medication, often in combination with psychosocial treatment. However, adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with medicines used in mental health do occur and some of these cause serious morbidity and mortality.

The Health Quality & Safety Commission has reviewed what is known about medication safety within mental health. The review covered all aspects of medicines management: prescribing, dispensing, administration, monitoring, transitions in care and adherence. It considered evidence that adverse events occur, along with prevention strategies that have been tested.