A study by MedUni Vienna shows that pharmacy reviews could reduce medication problems by 70%, meaning pharmacies in Austria could soon help solve these issues.
The research, involving around 200 patients taking eight or more medications, highlights the crucial role of professional oversight in improving patient safety.
Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy – the use of five or more medications daily – affects roughly 500,000 people in Austria, according to Raimund Podroschko, First Vice President of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists. “Only half of patients in Austria take their medicines correctly, which is rather shocking,” he said. Adding to the challenge, 50% of patients struggle with limited health literacy, while up to 20% of hospital admissions among people over 60 are caused by adverse drug reactions.
How Pharmacy Reviews Work
The study, carried out across 14 pharmacies in Vienna, uncovered an average of 15 medication-related problems per patient. These ranged from drug interactions and duplicate prescriptions to incorrect use of medicines. Following reviews and patient consultations, issues were reduced by 70%. Notable improvements included a 60% rise in adherence to therapy goals and a 65% boost in health literacy.
Some patients were found to be misusing asthma inhalers – targeting their tongue instead of their lungs – or failing to remove the cap before use. The reviews also led to a 10% reduction in the number of medications taken, a result that study leader Christian Schörgenhofer admitted was unexpected.
Plans for Nationwide Rollout
The Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists is now pushing to roll out the service across the country and has called on social insurance providers to cover the costs, particularly for older patients on multiple medications. “This benefits the entire population,” Podroschko argued, suggesting the service should be free or involve only a small co-payment.
Over 3,000 pharmacists have already undergone additional training, from two-day intensive workshops to regular case discussions, preparing them to deliver the service. “Pharmacies are ready to go,” said Stefan Deibl, who heads the chamber’s training programme. “We just need the green light from social insurance.”
A Collaborative Approach
Pharmacists emphasised that the initiative is about supporting, not scrutinising, medical professionals. “It’s not about monitoring the doctor but optimising the therapy as much as possible,” Podroschko reassured.
Medication reviews are particularly valuable when patients are discharged from hospital, as treatment regimens often change significantly, Schörgenhofer explained. With the aid of supporting software, the nationwide rollout could happen swiftly, added Podroschko.
