Deprescribing: a call for research that supports implementation in practice

Abstract

Decades of prescribing to treat the acquisition of chronic conditions, coupled with age-associated changes in the body’s handling of medicines, have led to an ‘overprescribing epidemic’.[1] Concomitant prescribing of medicines, termed polypharmacy, is common, particularly in the care of older people. In many circumstances, polypharmacy is appropriate, with each medicine prescribed affording more benefits than the risk of side effects. Overprescribing is, therefore, not simply exceeding a numerical threshold, and it may be more helpful to consider the benefits and risks afforded by the medicines that are prescribed to a given patient. The World Health Organization recognises overprescribing as a serious problem requiring immediate action in its latest report ‘Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm’.[1–3]Approximately half of the people aged 65 years and above admitted to hospital are prescribed at least one medicine with more risks than benefits, which is a predisposition...