About us
In November 2020, the Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence (MI-CRE) received a $2.5 million five-year grant from the NHMRC for the purpose of delivering 'real-world' evidence on the use and outcomes of medicines in Australia.
The MI-CRE is led by Professor Sallie Pearson from UNSW Medicine and Health’s School of Population Health and is a truly national collaboration that includes nine other Chief Investigators and ten Associate Investigators from universities across Australia. The MI-CRE provides an opportunity for researchers in institutions across the country to collaborate more closely on key research priorities and accelerate the generation and translation of evidence about real-world medicine use and outcomes.
The MI-CRE was established in recognition of the major health and economic impact from medicine overuse and misuse, and in response to the 2019 announcement by the Federal Minister for Health, The Hon. Greg Hunt, that quality use of medicine and medicine safety is a National Health Priority. We are developing a coordinated research program that will accelerate the development and translation of evidence about real-world medicine use and outcomes, leading to major improvements in the quality use of medicines and reductions in medicine-related harm. The MI-CRE develops and delivers new knowledge of medicines in Australia for use by regulators and payers, that can be translated directly into policy and practice, improving responsiveness to current and emerging policy imperatives.
We use population-based linked data (including through the use of 'big data platforms') and sophisticated methods to study the association between the effects of medicines, how they are used in practice, and the resultant benefits, harms and costs. We engage with policymakers to develop and scale-up sustainable approaches for timely evidence generation and research translation; and we develop innovative training and on-the-job experience to grow the next generation of research leaders.
To support our program of work, we have developed the following Portfolios of expertise that will integrate at both the program and project levels to support our goals:
- Knowledge Translation
- Capacity Building and Training
- Methods and Data
Funding
National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence grant 2020-2024 APP1196900
Contacts
Dr Natasha Donnolley
MI-CRE Program and Communications Manager
mi-cre@unsw.edu.au
Professor Sallie Pearson
MI-CRE Director and Professor of Health Systems
"The Medicines Intelligence Centre of Research Excellence (MI-CRE) plays a pivotal role in advancing evidence-informed quality use of medicines in Australia. Its research, using purpose built large real-world datasets provides evidence about medicine use and outcomes, directly informs the types of decisions that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) makes in recommending funding of medicines to the Australian government. MI-CRE brings together many of the leading pharmaco-epidemiologists in Australia and linkages to international scientists to provide insights on the way medicines are used in practice and the population level benefits and harms of medicine use. It is making a major contribution to achieving the objectives of Australia’s National Medicine Policy."
Prof Andrew Wilson
PBAC Chair 2015-2024
Chief Investigators
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
Associate Investigators
- Ms Ximena Camacho - UNSW Sydney
- A/Prof Timothy Dobbins - UNSW Sydney
- A/Prof Julian Elliott - Monash University
- Prof Chris Etherton-Beer - University of Western Australia
- A/Prof Tracey Laba - University of South Australia
- A/Prof Sally Lord - University of Notre Dame
- Ms Anne McKenzie - Telethons Kids Institute, UWA
- Prof Debra Rowett - University of South Australia
- Dr Frank Sanfilippo - University of Western Australia
- A/Prof Helga Zoega - UNSW Sydney
Aims
The Medicines Intelligence CRE brings together Australia’s leading researchers in pharmacoepidemiology and related fields, and key stakeholders to:
-
- Develop optimal pathways, a research-ready ‘big data’ platform, fit-for purpose study designs, and cutting-edge analytical methods to increase the timeliness and efficiency of RWE generation.
- Generate and enhance ‘medicines intelligence’ for regulators and payers about the use and outcomes of prescribed medicines in routine clinical care.
-
- Develop formal structures, including a Policy and Translation Reference Group to engage with ‘medicines intelligence’ end-users and an International Scientific Reference Group to strengthen links with the global ‘medicines intelligence’ research community.
- Develop a suite of broader activities to engage end-users and the wider community, including through an annual Research Symposium and Policy Forum.
-
- Build the ‘medicines intelligence’ workforce, and provide innovative inter-disciplinary training.
- Build capacity by providing expert mentoring and career development opportunities for the best and the brightest early career researchers (ECRs).
- Build experience through on-the-job training and engaging with ‘medicines intelligence’ end-users.
-
- Foster team integration through strong governance, cross-institutional projects, and joint training opportunities.
- Promote intellectual exchange by strengthening and expanding national and international collaborative networks of leading researchers and ‘medicines intelligence’ end-users.
Medicines Intelligence (MedIntel) Data Platform
The Medicines Intelligence (MedIntel) Data Platform is an enduring data platform, established to undertake population-based studies examining the use, safety and (cost)effectiveness of prescribed medicines.
Project Incubator Program
The MI-CRE Project Incubator initiative provides an opportunity for early- and mid-career medicines intelligence researchers to engage with relevant stakeholders from government, industry, the research community, and consumers to gain valuable feedback and input on their research proposals and develop new collaborations in a supportive environment.
MI-CRE Publications
With over 250 papers published by MI-CRE researchers in the past few years alone, there are way too many for us to profile here. Instead, we invite you to explore a curated selection of impactful research publications by our network of MI-CRE researchers. We'll keep this page updated as new papers are published, so make sure to check back regularly.
