Polypharmacy: Institutional Approaches to Support Patients, Systems and the Climate

As polypharmacy continues to rise in Canada, its impact on patient care and healthcare systems becomes more significant. This article explores the consequences of polypharmacy, including increased patient risks, environmental footprint, financial strain and added workload for staff. It also highlights effective strategies for mitigating polypharmacy, such as deprescribing, non-pharmacological interventions, medication stewardship programs and mandatory medication review or stop dates. By adopting these approaches, healthcare institutions can reduce polypharmacy, improve patient outcomes, optimize staff efficiency, reduce medication costs and lessen their environmental impact.