Optimizing pharmacotherapy and deprescribing strategies in older adults living with multimorbidity and polypharmacy: EuGMS SIG on pharmacology position paper
EuGMS · 2023 · Europe
Source and licence
- Authors
- Eveline van Poelgeest, Lotta Seppala, Gülistan Bahat et al.
- Title
- Optimizing pharmacotherapy and deprescribing strategies in older adults living with multimorbidity and polypharmacy: EuGMS SIG on pharmacology position paper
- Journal
- European Geriatric Medicine, 2023
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Changes
- Verbatim excerpts; formatting adapted
Full text retrieved 2026-10-27 from Europe PMC · PMC10754739
Licence statement of the original publication
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Recommendations
We found no explicitly labelled recommendations in this publication; its recommendations are in the running text of the original.
Abstract
Inappropriate polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults and presents a significant healthcare concern. Conducting medication reviews and implementing deprescribing strategies in multimorbid older adults with polypharmacy are an inherently complex and challenging task. Recognizing this, the Special Interest Group on Pharmacology of the European Geriatric Medicine Society has compiled evidence on medication review and deprescribing in older adults and has formulated recommendations to enhance appropriate prescribing practices. The current evidence supports the need for a comprehensive and widespread transformation in education, guidelines, research, advocacy, and policy to improve the management of polypharmacy in older individuals. Furthermore, incorporating deprescribing as a routine aspect of care for the ageing population is crucial. We emphasize the importance of involving geriatricians and experts in geriatric pharmacology in driving, and actively participating in this transformative process. By doing so, we can work towards achieving optimal medication use and enhancing the well-being of older adults in the generations to come.
Contents of the original publication
The section headings of the original.
- Introduction
- Deprescribing in clinical practice
- The process of deprescribing
- Organizing healthcare systems with focus on deprescribing
- Deprescribing settings and communication between prescribers
- Organizational factors, implementation, and policy
- Education and training
- Undergraduate training
- Postgraduate training
- Research
- Clinical trials
- Existing tools
- Deprescribing trials
- Conclusion
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