Impact of Pharmacist-Led Deprescribing Interventions on Medication Related Outcomes Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Abstract
Background
Older adults usually experience polypharmacy which increases their risk of adverse drug events, drug-drug interactions, and medication non-adherence. Clinical pharmacists, with specialized expertise in pharmacotherapy, are capable of engaging in deprescribing interventions aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate medications and overall medication burden. However, the overall impact of these pharmacist-led strategies remains unclear due to heterogeneity in study designs, settings, and outcomes.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to synthesize the available evidence on pharmacist-led deprescribing interventions on medication related outcomes among older adults.
Methods
We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library for English language randomized controlled trials and high-quality nonrandomized studies published from January 2015 onward, comparing pharmacist-led deprescribing interventions to usual care in any setting (community, outpatient, hospital, or long-term care). Primary outcomes were mean change in total number of medications per patient and the proportion of patients achieving effective deprescribing (discontinuation of ≥1 PIM or ≥0.5 reduction in a drug burden index). Data were pooled using random effects models, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed with I^2. Subgroup analyses contrasted intensive versus less intensive pharmacist involvement.
Results
Seven studies (five RCTs, two nonrandomized) encompassing 3,607 older adults met inclusion criteria. The pooled mean difference (MD) in total medications at last follow-up favored intervention by -0.55 medications (95% CI: -2.17 to 1.07; I^2 = 83.1%), and the pooled risk ratio (RR) for effective deprescribing was 1.85 (95% CI: 0.63-5.45; I^2 = 73.5%), though neither reached statistical significance. In subgroup analyses, intensive interventions, characterized by comprehensive, in-person reviews, explicit deprescribing criteria, patient education, and direct physician outreach, yielded a significant reduction in medication count (MD -1.74; 95% CI: -2.86 to -0.62) and increased deprescribing (RR 3.55; 95% CI: 2.45-5.15). Less intensive approaches showed no clear benefit. Secondary outcomes indicated improvements in medication burden indices without increased adverse events.
Conclusion
Pharmacist-led deprescribing interventions, particularly when intensive and integrated within collaborative care models, appear promising for safely reducing polypharmacy in older adults. The high heterogeneity and limited reporting of clinical and patient-centered outcomes underscore the need for larger, standardized trials with longer follow-up to establish scalable, sustainable deprescribing practices.
Protocol registration
The protocol for this systematic review was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO identifier: CRD420251072072).
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