Health benefits of medication reviews
Pharmacists and doctors can review your medicines and examine how they work, or don't work, together.
As we age, managing multiple medications becomes increasingly complex.
Many older adults live with chronic conditions that require several prescriptions, increasing the risk of side effects, drug‑drug interactions, and medication-related hospital admissions.
Medication reviews conducted by qualified pharmacists and other health professionals can play a vital role in improving safety, health outcomes, and quality of life.
A recent ABC News report highlights how comprehensive reviews can transform patient wellbeing.
In one example, a patient taking 32 medications experienced severe nausea and vomiting until a pharmacist-led home medicine review identified issues and worked with the man’s GP to reduce the number of medicines by more than half. The improvement in his health was almost immediate.
The report notes that about 250,000 Australians are admitted to hospital each year due to medication‑related problems, underscoring the importance of early intervention.
Evidence from broader research confirms these benefits. A systematic review in the Journal of Public Health found that home medication reviews for community‑dwelling older adults modestly improved health‑care use, reduced medication numbers in some cases, and improved adherence in select studies.
Importantly, polypharmacy – commonly defined as taking five or more medicines – is strongly associated with falls, hospitalisation, and increased mortality risk, which medication reviews aim to mitigate.
Further findings from a 2024–2025 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Public Health show that professional interventions to support medication management significantly improved adherence and reduced medium‑term hospital readmissions among older adults with multimorbidity (the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions).
A separate review published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine reported that pharmacist-led reviews reduced the incidence of drug‑related problems and, potentially, the use of inappropriate medications.
The review also noted improvements in medication adherence and patients’ overall quality of life, which are critical outcomes for older adults striving to maintain their independence.
Medication reviews are also particularly valuable when cognitive decline is involved. A 2026 study in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association emphasised that older adults with neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia, face heightened risk from inappropriate medications. It also suggested that pharmacist-led interventions could help these vulnerable people.
The message appears to be consistent: medication reviews conducted by trained pharmacists and supported by medical practitioners improve safety, reduce unnecessary medications, and contribute to better health and wellbeing in older people.
If you feel like you are taking too many medications, or you think the medicines you are taking are not working well together, discuss this with your GP.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional about any health concerns or before making any changes to your medication, diet, or exercise routine.
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels
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