Patient-centred management of polypharmacy: a process for practice

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Polypharmacy (use of multiple medications) is increasing in older UK adults.
• Associated risks include adverse drug events, hospitalizations, and increased costs.
• Current guidelines often address single conditions, not multimorbidity, and lack deprescribing guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review UK literature on polypharmacy.
• To describe resources for medication review.
• To present a patient-centred, collaborative approach to deprescribing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of UK polypharmacy research.
• Analysis of four key international resources.
• Development of a seven-step diagrammatic approach for collaborative medication review.

Main Results:

• Identified a need for evidence-based guidance on reducing and stopping medications.
• Highlighted four clinician-focused resources.
• Developed a patient-centred, seven-step deprescribing strategy.

Conclusions:

• Polypharmacy is a growing concern in older populations.
• A collaborative, patient-centred approach is needed for safe medication optimization.
• The proposed seven-step strategy facilitates deprescribing and reduces polypharmacy risks.