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Updated: May 1, 2026
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Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
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Deprescribing: Reducing Harm, Enhancing Care
Carla Matos1,2,3, Cindy Pinheiro1
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal.
Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal
|April 29, 2026
Summary
Deprescribing unnecessary medications in older adults, managed by healthcare teams, can reduce adverse drug events and healthcare costs. This review highlights the crucial role of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in optimizing medication use for vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Polypharmacy in older adults increases risks of adverse drug reactions and hospitalizations.
- Deprescribing interventions show potential for reducing adverse events, though mortality data remain mixed.
- Healthcare professionals are key to safe medication management and deprescribing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on polypharmacy in older adults.
- To emphasize the importance of deprescribing unnecessary or harmful medications.
- To highlight the role of healthcare professionals in medication deprescribing.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of recent publications (2023-2025).
- Searches conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases.
- Focused on polypharmacy and deprescribing in older adults.
Main Results:
- Multidisciplinary teams (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) are pivotal in medication review.
- Identifying and withdrawing inappropriate medications improves therapeutic regimens.
- Monitoring the deprescribing process is essential for patient safety.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals' interventions support appropriate medication use in older adults.
- Deprescribing can enhance patients' quality of life.
- Effective deprescribing strategies have the potential to reduce healthcare expenditures.
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