Collaborative intervention between pharmacists and physicians on elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Health Outcomes Research

Background:

• Elderly individuals are primary medication consumers, facing elevated risks of chronic diseases and drug-related problems.
• Polypharmacy in the elderly necessitates strategies to mitigate adverse drug events and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of collaborative interventions between pharmacists and physicians on the health-related outcomes of elderly patients.
• To assess improvements in medication adherence and appropriateness among elderly outpatients receiving collaborative pharmaceutical care.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving elderly outpatients (≥5 medications) in Malaysia.
• Participants were assigned to either a 6-month collaborative intervention group (pharmacist-physician) or a usual care control group.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significantly better medication adherence (p<0.001) and Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) scores (p<0.001) compared to the control group.
• The collaborative care model led to substantial improvements in key indicators of medication management for elderly patients.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative interventions by pharmacists and physicians effectively enhance medication adherence and appropriateness in the elderly.
• Implementation of such integrated pharmaceutical care services is recommended, particularly in healthcare systems where pharmacists' roles are expanding.