Medicines optimisation and deprescribing in older people: personalised, proactive and preventative

Abstract

Evidence shows that proactive multidisciplinary medication reviews reduce harm, prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, and improve quality of life for older people—while delivering value for money and supporting environmental sustainability. To realise these benefits at scale, medicines optimisation must be embedded as a core, routine element of primary care, supported by targeted investment, digital infrastructure, multidisciplinary training and public engagement. These actions will ensure that those most at risk benefit first, offering a practical and evidence based route to improving outcomes and supporting the long term sustainability of the NHS. This brief summarises the evidence on overprescribing and polypharmacy (10+ regular medicines) among older people in England, and the approaches shown to improve patient outcomes through safer prescribing practices.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Sara Mckelvie: orcid.org/0000-0003-3781-9813

ORCID for Kinda Ibrahim: orcid.org/0000-0001-5709-3867

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