Optimal drug therapy

Medicines are the dominating treatment technology in health care and in the population’s self care, and consumption is still increasing. Besides the beneficial effects, the use of medicines is also related to a wide variety of problems, which include interactions, adverse effects, misuse and non-compliance. In addition, drug costs may be a burden to the individual and to society.

The overall aim of this central research area is to optimize the prescribing and use of medicines by minimizing drug-related problems and costs. The research area deals with analyses of: determinants of medicine use and associated health and economic outcomes; the behaviours and perceptions of medicines by professionals and consumers; the efficacy and safety of medicine use in the clinic and in the population; processes of knowledge creation in drug development and use; professional practice. Interventions aiming to optimise drug use and therapy are also conducted and evaluated.

Research integrates scientific skills from a multiplicity of disciplines including epidemiology, health economy, clinical pharmacy and social pharmacy.