Pharmacist-led medication review can improve medication use in older adults with cancer
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There is a pressing need to optimize medication strategies in older adults with cancer, many of whom take ≥5 medications. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Internal Medicine demonstrated that an advisory letter containing the results of a pharmacist-led comprehensive medication review sent to physicians can decrease common medication problems among older cancer patients during rehabilitation.
Overall, 443 participants age ≥65 who regularly took ≥5 medications were included. At the end of the trial, fewer patients in the medication review group had potentially inappropriate prescriptions than patients in the usual care group (29.9% versus 70.8%). Likewise, there was less medication overuse (34.2% versus 64.1%) and medication underuse (44.9% versus 73.2%). Furthermore, 337 missing vaccinations (against influenza, pneumonia, COVID-19 and/or shingles) were recommended in the medication review group.
"The pharmacist-led comprehensive medication review to counsel physicians in oncological rehabilitation wards was highly feasible and substantially improved the medication quality of older cancer patients with polypharmacy," said corresponding author Ben Schöttker, Ph.D., of the German Cancer Research Center.
Publication details
Cancer co-medication quality in older patients with polypharmacy: a large randomized trial testing a medication review versus usual care, Journal of Internal Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1111/joim.70161
Journal information: Journal of Internal Medicine
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OncologyGeriatric palliative careAllied healthHealthy agingCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by Wiley Who's behind this story?
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