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The global population aged 60 years or older was 962 million in 2017—double the number in 1980—and is expected to double again by 2050.1 More significantly, older persons are expected to outnumber children younger than 10 years and adolescents in 2030 and 2050, respectively.1 The ageing population is a global issue and Hong Kong is not exempt. Despite the persistently low fertility rate, it is projected that the dependency ratio, defined as the number of persons aged under 15 years and 65 years or over per 1000 persons aged 15 to 64 years, will increase from 397 in 2016 to 844 in 2066.2 A longer life can be an incredibly valuable resource,3 provided it is accompanied by good health.4 Nonetheless, over 70% of Hong Kong elderly people have chronic illnesses, ranging from cardiovascular problems to oncological diseases.5 It is also estimated that approximately 40% of the elderly population in Hong Kong take more than five medications every day.6 Given the substantial risk of drug-related problems among elderly people, the medication management for elderly patients in Hong Kong needs to be addressed. Hong Kong has a largely governmentbased subsidised health care system, with more than 90% of secondary and tertiary care provided by physician consultations in the public sector; a general out-patient clinic visit lasts an average of 3 to 5 minutes.7 It is difficult to provide adequate counselling and medication review during such a short time. In 2013, The University of Hong Kong conducted a study to analyse the nature of pharmaceutical services for elderly patients in Hong Kong. Although the study identified a number of services related to elderly patients, the lack of solid data concerning medication errors and effectiveness of pharmaceutical services6 made it difficult to understand medication management among the group. Although there has been no formal study of medication management in an elderly population, research has clearly established a strong relationship between polypharmacy and negative clinical consequences, including but not limited to adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, and noncompliance.8 Appropriate medication management may minimise drug wastage that also places a significant economic burden on the health care system. Hong Kong Med J 2018;24:96–7 DOI: 10.12809/hkmj175076 Vivian WY Lee *, PharmD, BCPS (AQ Cardiology), Franco WT Cheng, MClinPharm, BCPS

Multidisciplinary care for better clinical outcomes: role of pharmacists in medication management