Deprescribing Medicines

Polypharmacy is increasingly common, particularly among older adults, yet the continued use of multiple medications can heighten the risk of adverse drug events, interactions and reduced quality of life. Are you confident in your ability to evaluate and manage medications effectively, including when and how to safely deprescribe?

This Ausmed Course provides nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge and practical strategies to guide safe, person-centred deprescribing. With a focus on collaborative decision-making and clinical reasoning, the course supports best practice in medication optimisation to reduce harm, improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life.

This Ausmed Course is intended for nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals involved in medication management and patient care.

In Australia, nearly 40% of people aged 75 and over are prescribed five or more medications, with more than seven in ten (68.6%) people being dispensed at least one PBS medication. While polypharmacy may be necessary for some individuals, it significantly increases the risk of adverse drug events due to the higher likelihood of drug interactions, medication errors, and the increased sensitivity of older adults to medications. Optimising medication through targeted deprescribing is essential to reduce medication burden, prevent adverse effects and improve patient outcomes. The goal of deprescribing is to maintain or improve quality of life by discontinuing medications that are no longer beneficial or appropriate.

Deprescribing must be approached carefully, as stopping certain medications can lead to withdrawal effects or worsen some conditions. For this reason, deprescribing should be done collaboratively between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring that the process is safe and aligns with their health goals and is always a shared decision making process. This course will equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and strategies to make informed decisions about deprescribing to optimise medication use for better health outcomes.

To provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to confidently consider whether to continue, reduce or cease medications that are no longer effective or appropriate for individual patients. The focus is on ensuring patient safety, minimising medication-related risks and improving overall quality of life for individuals, particularly older adults, who may be subject to polypharmacy and complex medication regimens.