Core palliative medicines: meeting the needs of non-complex community patients.

BACKGROUND There are a number of challenges facing people in the last days of life who wish to receive care in their home environment. This includes timely access to medicines for symptom control. OBJECTIVE This article outlines the development of a concise list of core medicines that can provide symptom control in non-complex patients in the last days of life. The list is based on practical criteria including evidence of efficacy, affordability, the option for parenteral administration, availability on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the doctors' emergency drug supply list. DISCUSSION A list of core medicines can facilitate timely prescribing and supply of essential medicines for end-of-life symptom management. However, the development of this list should not replace planning and routine involvement of community resources. Multidisciplinary education strategies are needed to ensure that the core medicines list is utilised effectively by doctors, pharmacists and community nurses.