MI-CRE 2026 Annual Research Symposium and Policy Forum
5-6 August 2026
From silos to synergy: interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate medicines intelligence
Symposium Co-Chairs: Prof Sallie Pearson and Dr Lachlan Dalli
The NHMRC Medicines Intelligence Centre of Research Excellence (MI-CRE) brings together a diverse, national network of researchers, consumers, policy makers, and educators committed to improving the quality use of medicines through better evidence. Now in its sixth year, MI-CRE continues to foster collaboration and innovation to generate real-world insights informing policy and practice.
This year’s theme, “From silos to synergy: interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate medicines intelligence" highlighted the critical role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in advancing research and translational impact. The Symposium showcased how integrating diverse data sources, methods, and perspectives—across clinical trials, real-world data, health economics, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and disease areas—can generate more meaningful and faster insights to improve health outcomes.
We were delighted to welcome Professor Sophia Zoungas, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, Australia, as our keynote speaker—an internationally recognised leader in diabetes, cardiovascular outcomes, and large-scale clinical trials.
This year included a dynamic program of themed abstract sessions spanning the breadth of pharmacoepidemiology, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and real-world impact, along with panel discussions and opportunities to engage with leaders from academia, government, industry, and the community.
Links to the abstracts and recordings from Day 1 of the Symposium can be found below.
- Day 1
- Day 2
Wednesday 5th August
Opening and Welcome Symposium Co-Chairs: Dr Lachlan Dalli and Prof Sallie Pearson | |
Keynote speaker: Prof Sophia Zoungas - From evidence to impact: lessons from real-world practice Executive Director, The George Institute for Global Health Australia | |
Abstract Session 1: Breaking Silos - Co-producing Medicines Intelligence | |
| Kelly Hall, Adelaide University | Uptake of 60-day prescriptions in different Australian population groups: A co-designed and co-produced research project |
| Lachlan Dalli, Monash University | Co-designing the Coordinated Medication Prescription and Adherence Support System (COMPASS) for Survivors of Stroke: Preliminary Results |
| Malcolm Gillies, UNSW Sydney | timespan.eu: Australian pharmacoepidemiologists plugging in to a large-scale European research collaboration |
| Dorothy Drabarek, University of Sydney | Considerations when conducting research with representatives from industry-funded health consumer groups: insights from an Australian national survey |
| Jack Janetzki, Adelaide University | The APAC-VALUE study: A global characterisation study of VALproate Utilisation and Exposure among women and men of childbearing age |
Abstract Session 2a: Bridging Evidence Gaps - Medicine Use and Safety in Pregnancy | |
| Dani Russell, University of Western Australia | Beyond the Data: Understanding Medicine Decisions for ADHD in Pregnancy |
| Claudia Bruno, University of Sydney | Identifying pregnancy episodes for medicine utilisation and safety research in New South Wales using the Medicines Intelligence Data Platform |
Abstract Session 2b: Beyond the Prescription - Impacts of Psychoactive Medicines Use | |
| Craig Cumming, University of Western Australia | Novel psychoactive substance use in Australian prison settings |
| Craig Cumming for Leah Roberts, University of Western Australia | Recovery Beyond Symptoms: A Retrospective Observational Study of Quality of Life Following Medicinal Cannabis Treatment for Anxiety Disorders |
| Steven Joffe, University of Sydney | Has SafeScript NSW reduced Benzodiazepine and Opioid Poisoning? An Interrupted Time Series Analysis |
Abstract Session 2c: From Trials to Practice - Real-World Insights into Medicines Use and Outcomes | |
| Ximena Camacho, UNSW Sydney | Short-term risk of falls among initiators of controlled-release tapentadol versus oxycodone |
| Tamie Milder, UNSW Sydney | Real-world discontinuation rates of GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes are high in Australia |
| Nicki Meagher, UNSW Sydney | Real-world olaparib use and outcomes in ovarian cancer and a comparison with the key clinical trials (Abstract unavailable) |
| Kim López-Güell, University of Oxford | Old drugs, new signals: A deep learning approach to finding Long COVID treatments |
‘On the Couch’ with our EMCR panellists Facilitated by Lachlan Dalli and Sallie Pearson Panel Guests:
| |
Seeding synergy: newly funded projects driving interdisciplinary impact
Prof Nicole Pratt, Adelaide University. Evaluating long-term effectiveness using real world evidence of highly specialised treatments – Cancer (EVEREST-C). | |
Abstract awards and closing remarks | |
Thursday 6th August
Please note there are no recordings from Day 2
Prof Vincent Lo Re III - Building an academic career in pharmacoepidemiology by design, not by default
|
| 60-day Dispensing Research Program - Presentations and Discussion |
| MI-CRE - What next? Continuing the legacy |
| 'Minute with a Mentor' |
| Now for some fun... Translate that Abstract, Take 2! |
| Closing remarks and wrap-up |