[The conversation with the patient is essential for good pharmacotherapeutic care]

Frail elderly with polypharmacy are at greater risk of preventable medication-related health damage. To improve medication safety, the healthcare field prepared, in consultation with the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate, a number of guidelines and standards containing conditions for safe prescribing. According to these standards the active involvement of patients by health care professionals is essential for good pharmacotherapeutic care. However, two studies with patients show that there is still room for improvement. According to patients, they can be (even) better informed about changes in their medication. Also the caregivers could communicate more clearly who is the central contact point and who is ultimately responsible for the medication. Patients are not sufficiently informed on this. Furthermore, there is uncertainty about how and why medication reviews are performed. More explanation to patients about this is desirable. In addition, patients experience that keeping their medication list up to date and transferring medication data between health care providers could be improved. Finally, a group of patients welcomes the opportunity to co-decide on changes in their medication. In order to prescribe safely, it is crucial that caregivers actively involve patients in pharmacotherapeutic care and really enter into conversation with them about their medication.