While clozapine use has increased in most studied countries over recent years, clozapine is still underutilised in many countries, with clozapine utilisation patterns differing significantly between countries. Future research should address the implementation of interventions designed to facilitate increased clozapine utilisation.

PPI use has increased substantially, not only due to substitution of H2RAs but to expansion in the overall market. Utilisation does not appear to be commensurate with prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) nor with prescribing guidelines for PPIs, with significant financial costs to patients and PBS. This study encourages clinical discussion regarding quality use of these medicines.

These data show a concerning increase in prescribing of antibiotics and antifungals by dentists in Australia. It would appear that Australian dentists may not be prescribing these medicines appropriately; however, further research is needed to understand prescribing behaviours and decision-making by dentists.

The impact of clozapine on hospital use: a systematic review and metaanalysis.Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the impact of clozapine on hospital use in people with a psychotic illness. Method: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Trials Register were systematically searched from inception to 12 October 2016. We included all trials and observational studies, except case reports. Results: Thirty-seven studies were included. Clozapine significantly reduced the proportion of people hospitalised compared to control medicines (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.69-0.80, P < 0.001, 22 studies, n = 44 718). There were significantly fewer bed days after clozapine treatment compared to before clozapine treatment in both controlled (MD = À34.41 days; 95% CI: À68.22 to À0.60 days, P = 0.046, n = 162) and uncontrolled studies (MD = À52.86 days; 95% CI: À79.86 days to À25.86 days, P < 0.001, n = 2917). Clozapine and control medicines had a similar time to rehospitalisation (À19.90 days; 95% CI: À62.42 to 22.63 days, P = 0.36). Conclusion: Clozapine treatment reduced the number of people hospitalised and the number of bed days after treatment compared with before treatment. Clozapine has the potential to reduce acute hospital use among people with treatment refractory schizophrenia.

Atypical antipsychotic drugs were most commonly used to treat schizophrenia in younger men and behavioural disturbances in older women with dementia. They appear to have been used outside of the approved indication for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with significant financial costs to the PBS. Research into the reasons for their extensive use in elderly women is needed to inform more rational prescribing of these medicines.

The prescribing of AHS medications increased slightly over the last half decade. There is growing use of zolpidem on private prescription. The gender differences in use reflect the higher prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders in women. The very high use of these drugs in elderly people warrants further exploration because of the concomitant increased risks of mortality and morbidity.

The rate of increase in the prescribing of AEDs remained steady between 2002 and 2007. The gender differences in prescribing reflect the higher prevalence of epilepsy in men and higher individual dosages used when many AEDs are prescribed on a body weight basis. The high use of some of these drugs in elderly people (> or =80 years) warrants further exploration. There is growing use of lamotrigine and gabapentin for indications apart from epilepsy-most likely neuropathic pain and mood disorders.

This protocol was registered with PROSPERO 2017: CRD42017058426.