Alert
This site has not been optimised for Internet Explorer due to Microsoft no longer providing support for the browser. Please view this site using another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Te Pū rauemi KOWHEORI-19 COVID-19 resource hub

Support for people working in health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find information about how you can support yourselves and others, including consumers, teams and colleagues which complements and aligns with Ministry of Health resources.

Kia āta kōwhiri Choosing Wisely

The Choosing Wisely campaign seeks to reduce harm from unnecessary and low-value tests and treatment.

Back to previous page

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

17 Nov 2021

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.