This report examines opioid medicines dispensing in the community across Australia from 2016–17 to 2020–21. It reports trends at national, state and territory, Primary Health Network and local area levels, building on data in the Third Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation.

This report examines antipsychotic medicines dispensing in people 65 years and over in the community across Australia from 2016–17 to 2020–21. It reports trends at national, state and territory, Primary Health Network and local area levels, building on data in the Third Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation.

Older people over 75 may have several chronic conditions and need multiple medicines. This can put them at risk of medicines-related harm. This chapter of the Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation examines polypharmacy, medication management reviews and proton pump inhibitor dispensing in older people.

The Atlas series examines variation in use of some commonly prescribed medicines. Medicines are effective when used appropriately for the right duration. However, substantial variation in use can suggest that some individuals and the community are being exposed to avoidable harms and unnecessary costs, while others may be missing out on an effective treatment.