Reducing inappropriate polypharmacy in primary care through pharmacy-led interventions.
Polypharmacy is one risk factor for adverse drug events. This study describes the implementation of polypharmacy clinics designed to prevent inappropriate polypharmacy by reviewing patients taking 10 or more medications using a standardized tool. Between April and December 2018, the researchers estimated that the intervention resulted in 17 avoided hospital admissions, as well as 20 potential admissions avoided. These benefits were achieved by reducing medication dosages and stopping medications without valid indications.