title: Using Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data for pharmacoepidemiological research: challenges and approaches.
abstract: The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dataset provides detailed information about subsidised medicines dispensed in Australia and is increasingly used for pharmacoepidemiological research. Use of the PBS dataset provides unique opportunities for such research, but comes with its own set of challenges that must be considered and addressed. This paper outlines some issues that commonly arise when using PBS data - relating to accurate identification of medicine dispensings and how to define medicine exposure - and suggests some possible approaches for dealing with them. The paper is intended as an introductory resource for researchers.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, ellie.paige@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ellie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kemp-Casey
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Korda
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT; The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Banks
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D066264:Datasets as Topic; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology / Q000379:methods*