Polypharmacy and Policy

Polypharmacy and Policy Many health care professionals believe that polypharmacy is an inevitable practice in geriatric care. Notably, however, the use of multiple drugs predisposes patients to the risk of side effects and devastating complications. The issues related to polypharmacy can be resolved through policy development.

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The development of deprescribing policy is one of the strategies through which to address these issues. Deprescribing refers to the safe reduction of medications or the dosage of certain drugs to meet specific individual health objectives (Thompson & Farrell, 2013). The deprescribing policy can help pharmacists and physicians to identify and do away with medications that are least beneficial to the patient. The deprescribing policy would require clinicians to use an evidence-based approach when withdrawing medications rather than relying solely on clinical experience (Thompson & Farrell, 2013).

A series of steps must be followed during policy development to ensure a successful outcome is achieved. The primary need or the target problem which the policy aims to resolve must be identified. The stakeholders must also be identified at this stage (Tieberghien, 2017).

The policy can be drafted and an interactive session held to ensure that the stakeholders are actively involved in the policy development process. It is also important to determine the body that will be involved in approving the policy (Tieberghien, 2017).

Since polypharmacy is a common practice in different countries, it is important to explore how issues emanating from this practice have been resolved elsewhere. Further research helps unearth information concerning how professional bodies, government agencies, and marketing companies are dealing with polypharmacy issues. Research can also help generate information concerning the economic aspects of deprescribing policy and other strategies employed elsewhere to reduce polypharmacy related problems (Farrell, Shamji, Monahan, & French Merkley, 2013).

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Farrell, B., Shamji, S., Monahan, A., & French Merkley, V. (2013). Reducing polypharmacy in the elderly: Cases to help you “rock the boat.” Canadian Pharmacists Journal : CPJ, 146(5), 243–244. http://doi.org/10.1177/1715163513499530 Thompson, W., & Farrell, B. (2013). Deprescribing: What is it and what does the evidence tell Us? The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 66(3), 201–202.

Tieberghien, J. (2017). Change or continuity in drug policy: The roles of science, media, and interest groups. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.