Polypharmacy & SMR Case Example

Polypharmacy, especially within the frail & elderly population, is an emerging problem and is associated with increased risks;

Patients on 10+ medicines are 3x more likely to be admitted to hospital
Between 30-50% of prescribed medicines are not taken as recommended
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) account for 6.5% of hospital admissions, of which 70% are avoidable
At least 6% of emergency admissions are caused by medicines

A MMS Pharmacist service was commissioned across a CCG to assist in performing SMRs to help maximise prescribing quality, with a key focus on Polypharmacy in the elderly.