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
Chief Investigators
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:
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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.
2021 MI-CRE Research Symposium and Policy Forum
The 1st Annual Research Symposium and Policy Forum was held as a virtual event on the 16th September 2021. It featured Prof Robert Platt from from the Canadian Network of Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES).
2022 MI-CRE Research Symposium and Policy Forum
The 2022 theme focused on knowledge translation by bridging the gap between real-world evidence and smarter medical use. View key recordings and abstract sessions.
2023 MI-CRE Research Symposium and Policy Forum
This year's theme focuses on mobilising data to accelerate real-world evidence generation.