Pharmacist-led reviews improve medication strategies for older cancer patients

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 aged ≥65 years who use ≥5 drugs regularly were included. At the end of the trial, fewer patients in the medication review group had potentially inappropriate prescriptions compared with 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."

Ben Schöttker, PhD, corresponding author, German Cancer Research Center