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Australian Statistics on Medicines

Page last updated: 19 March 2025

The Australian Statistics on Medicines was discontinued in 2015. From 2015 statistics on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme are available in the following key reports:

Additional PBS related statistics are available on the PBS Statistics page.

The Australian Statistics on Medicines was an annual publication produced by the Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. The data available in the ASM represent estimates of the aggregate community use of prescription medicines in Australia.

The Australian Statistics on Medicines (ASM) is a publication produced by the Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee (DUSC) of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

Comprehensive drug utilisation data are required for a number of purposes including pharmacosurveillance and the targeting and evaluation of quality use of medicines initiatives. It is also needed by regulatory and financing authorities and by the Pharmaceutical Industry. A major aim of the ASM has been to put comprehensive and valid statistics on the Australian use of medicines in the public domain to allow access by all interested parties.

Publication of the Australian data facilitates international comparisons of drug utilisation profiles, and encourages international collaboration on drug utilisation research particularly in relation to enhancing the quality use of medicines and health outcomes.