Pharmacist-based medication review reduces potential drug-related problems in the elderly: the SMOG controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of drug-related problems (DRPs) in the elderly, occurring as a result of multiple drug use combined with age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, is a well known phenomenon. However, effective intervention strategies are uncommon. OBJECTIVE: A pharmacy-based controlled trial (SMOG [Screening Medicatie Oudere Geneesmiddelgebruiker; Screening Medications in the Older Drug User]) was performed to investigate whether a community pharmacist-led intervention reduces the number of potential DRPs in patients aged > or = 65 years using six or more drugs concomitantly. METHODS: This intervention study was conducted from June 2002 until June 2003 in 16 community pharmacies in the Netherlands. Medication assessment was undertaken in elderly patients aged > or = 65 years using six or more drugs concomitantly on the date of inclusion. Ten types of potential DRPs were determined and grouped into the following three categories: (i) patient-related potential DRPs: non-compliance; (ii) prescriber-related potential DRPs: expired indication, therapeutic duplication, inappropriate dosage (over- and under-dosage), off-label use, undertreatment, inconvenience of use; and (iii) drug-related potential DRPs: contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug treatment of adverse drug reactions. A list of recommended changes in medication was compiled by the pharmacist for the patients in the intervention group. Recommendations for medication change were discussed with the general practitioner (GP). Four months after the date of inclusion, the medications of each patient were again reviewed and screened for potential DRPs. The primary outcome corresponded to the change in the number of potential DRPs; the secondary outcome was related to the change in number of used medications between the intervention group and the control group at baseline and 4 months later. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were analysed: 87 patients in the intervention arm and 87 patients in the usual care arm. After a 4-month period, we observed a significant reduction in the mean number of DRPs per patient (mean difference -16.3%; 95% CI -24.3, -8.3). The mean number of drugs per patient was not significantly reduced (mean difference -4.7%; 95% CI -9.6, 0.2). CONCLUSION: This study showed a positive influence of the community pharmacist in reducing potential DRPs in the elderly. Future interventions should also focus on actual outcomes, including quality of life, morbidity and mortality.

Identification of potential drug-related problems in the elderly: the role of the community pharmacist.

OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of multiple drug use combined with age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics makes older adults more vulnerable to drug-related problems (DRPs). This pharmacy-based study was performed to identify potential DRPs from prescription records of the elderly and the role of the pharmacist in this process. METHOD: The study was performed from June 2002 to February 2003 in 16 community pharmacies in the Netherlands. Medication assessment of elderly patients aged 65 and over using six or more drugs concomitantly took place on the date of inclusion. Ten types of potential DRPs, grouped into three categories, were determined. The three groups were patient-related, prescriber-related or drug-related potential DRPs. We looked at the occurrence, nature and determinants of differential potential DRPs. RESULTS: The mean number of prescriptions per patient was 8.7. In total 3.9 potential DRPs per elderly person were identified. The distribution of the potential DRPs over the three categories was: patient related 4.7%, prescriber related 55.7% and drug related 39.6%. Use of NSAIDs (OR 29.9; 95% CI 4.1-219) and digoxin (OR 15.7; 95% CI 4.9-50.5) were associated with the highest risk for potential DRPs. CONCLUSION: In this vulnerable group of elderly patients potential DRPs frequently occur. Community pharmacists can play an important role in the identification, assessment and prevention of potential DRPs in the elderly. It is useful to investigate which part of potential DRPs can be avoided by the intervention of the community pharmacist in collaboration with the prescriber and the patient.