PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO ADDRESS POLYPHARMACY THROUGH POLICY AND HEALTH AUTHORITIES: IGRIMUP SYMPOSIUM 2

摘要

In the first IGRIMUP symposium, we have concentrated on the wide variety of negative clinical outcomes of inappropriate medication use and polypharmacy (IMUP). There are also huge, negative economic consequences to individuals and societies. The second IGRIMUP symposium highlights the fact that in most countries, the extent of IMUP and its impact on the “geriatric boom burden”, are inappropriately appreciated and insufficiently addressed by decision-making authorities. Neither the academic health-related institutions nor governments or healthcare services seem to act forcefully enough to combat IMUP and reduce its negative impact on individuals and societies. Wise, knowledgeable, ethical medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other caregivers, are many times forced by the same health authorities to automatically implement clinical guidelines apparently representing good quality of care. However, these approaches may cause more harm than good in subpopulations of very old, those with comorbidity, dementia, frailty and limited life-expectancy (VOCODFLEX). Even patients with advanced cancer or non-cancer end of life situations, are prescribed “curative” and preventive medications many times until death. Professional healthcare givers mainly medical doctors and pharmacists are trying to invent and promote tools for improving screening, prevention and treatment of IMUP. However, unless the academy and policy-makers contribute much more, the caregiver’s chances to succeed in our fight against IMUP for the benefit of all of us, are slim.