Optimizing pharmacotherapy in elderly patients: the role of pharmacists

Abstract

See, stats, and : https : //www. researchgate. net/ publication / 282520708 Optimizing : the Article DOI : 10 . 2147 / IPRP. S70404 CITATION 1 READS 118 4 , including : Jeannie The 32 , 832 SEE Samah The 5 SEE All . The . All - text and , letting . Abstract : As the world ' s population ages , global health care systems will face the burden of chronic diseases and polypharmacy use among older adults . The traditional tasks of medication dispensing and provision of basic education by pharmacists have evolved to active engage - ment in direct patient care and collaborative team - based care . The care of older patients is an especially fitting mission for pharmacists , since the key to geriatric care often lies with man - agement of chronic diseases and polypharmacy use , and preventing harmful consequences of both . Because most chronic conditions are treated with medications , pharmacists , with their extensive training in pharmacotherapy and pharmacokinetics , are in a unique and critical posi - tion in the management of them . Pharmacists have the expertise to detect , resolve , and prevent medication errors and drug - related problems , such as overtreatment , undertreatment , adverse drug events , and nonadherence . Pharmacists are also competent in critically reviewing and applying clinical guidelines to the care of individual patients , and in some instances confront the lack of data (common in older adults) to provide the best possible patient - centered care . The current review aimed to depict the evidence of geriatric pharmacy care , demonstrate current impact of pharmacists ' interventions on older patients , survey the tools used by pharmacists to provide effective care , and explore their role in pharmacotherapy optimization in elders . The findings of the current review strongly support previous studies that showed positive impact of pharmacists ' interventions on older patients ' health - related outcomes . There is a clear role for pharmacists working directly or collaboratively to improve medication use and management in older populations . Therefore , in global health care systems , teams caring for elders should involve pharmacists to optimize pharmacotherapy .