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MEDSAWARE: DEPRESCRIBING ACTION WEEK, IMPACTS AND GROWTH

European Statement

Clinical Pharmacy Services

Author(s)

Kristin Michaels, Chief Executive
Tom Simpson, President

Why was it done?

Polypharmacy and medication overuse remain critical concerns in modern healthcare, often leading to adverse drug events, increased hospitalisations, and diminished quality of life, particularly among the elderly. Recognising the need for improved medication management and patient safety, Advanced Pharmacy Australia initiated MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week in 2022. The initiative aimed to promote awareness and education on deprescribing practices to optimise pharmacotherapy and reduce the burden of unnecessary medications.

What was done?

MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week is an annual, nationwide campaign involving a series of educational programs, workshops, and collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals. The initiative provided evidence-based resources, clinical guidelines, and decision-support tools to pharmacists, physicians, and other stakeholders, and promoted key messages to patients around deprescribing and quality use of medicines. It also facilitated interdisciplinary forums to discuss strategies for implementing deprescribing protocols within various healthcare settings.

How was it done?

The initiative employed a multifaceted approach combining digital platforms, live seminars, and interactive workshops. Educational materials were disseminated through webinars, online modules, and social media outreach to maximize accessibility. Collaborative partnerships were established with hospitals, clinics, and professional organisations to integrate deprescribing practices into routine care.

What has been achieved?

MedsAware Deprescribing Action Week is about driving conversations around discontinuing medicines that are no longer required, or for which the risk of harm outweighs the benefits.
MedsAware seeks to raise awareness around ‘polypharmacy’ and ‘deprescribing’, empowering Australians and their care teams to manage every medicines regimen ensuring it is current, effective and safe.
#MedsAware supports and raises awareness of Australia’s 10th National Health Priority Area, Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety.

What next?

Building on the momentum, Advanced Pharmacy Australia continues its annual MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week to continually promote best practices, with the addition of the EAHP through MoU making the initiative global. In 2025, MedsAware turns its attention towards sustainability highlighting the benefits of deprescribing that can be felt all around us – for patient and planet. Future efforts will focus on longitudinal studies to assess the sustained impact of deprescribing interventions on patient health outcomes. Additionally, the development of an Australian national deprescribing framework is proposed, aiming to standardise practices and facilitate integration into healthcare policies and education curricula.

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