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Pharmacist-Based Medication Review Reduces Potential Drug-Related Problems in the Elderly

The SMOG Controlled Trial

Drugs & Aging volume 26, pages 123–133 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

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 ≥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 ≥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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participating Brabant Institute for pharmaceutical Research and Development (BIRD) and Kring Pharmacies pharmacists for their contribution to this study. The authors are also grateful to Alliance Healthcare and VGZ (a Dutch health insurance company) for their support. This study was partly financed by an educational grant from the Dutch Albert Bakker Foundation. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Affiliations

  1. DeLeij Pharmacy, Tilburg, the Netherlands

    Thijs H. A. M. Vinks

  2. Kring Pharmacies, ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands

    Thijs H. A. M. Vinks & Fred H. P. de Koning

  3. Brabant Institute for pharmaceutical Research and Development (BIRD), Tilburg, the Netherlands

    Thijs H. A. M. Vinks & Fred H. P. de Koning

  4. Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), P.O. Box 80082, Utrecht, 3508 TB, the Netherlands

    Toine C. G. Egberts & Fred H. P. de Koning

  5. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands

    Toine C. G. Egberts

  6. Ton de Lange Management b.v., Bloemendaal, the Netherlands

    Ton M. de Lange

Authors
  1. Thijs H. A. M. Vinks
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  2. Toine C. G. Egberts
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  3. Ton M. de Lange
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  4. Fred H. P. de Koning
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fred H. P. de Koning.

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Vinks, T.H.A.M., Egberts, T.C.G., de Lange, T.M. et al. Pharmacist-Based Medication Review Reduces Potential Drug-Related Problems in the Elderly. Drugs Aging 26, 123–133 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2165/0002512-200926020-00004

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Keywords

  • Community Pharmacy
  • Community Pharmacist
  • Medication Review
  • Chronic Disease Status
  • Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Code