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In‐Home Medication Reviews for War Veterans: Early Experience in Australia
Author(s) -
Sorensen Lene,
King Michelle A,
Peck Robert,
Roberts Michael S
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/jppr2004342100
Subject(s) - medicine , medical prescription , intervention (counseling) , pharmacy , beers criteria , family medicine , psychiatry , nursing
Objective: To evaluate the initial impact of in‐home medication reviews for war veterans by accredited pharmacists. Method: Medication use, health service use, and corresponding costs for 92 veterans and war widow(er)s were compared between a ‘before intervention’ period and ‘after intervention’ period via prescription database analysis. Inappropriate medication use according to Beers' criteria was also identified. Results: The intervention led to a higher number of medications initiated and ceased than medications continued. There was a statistically insignificant increase in the number of medications (12.6 to 13.9), and the mean health service cost ($1818.66 to $2123.26). There was an insignificant increase in the use of inappropriate medication according to Beers' criteria. Conclusion: This medication review service introduced the concept of medication reviews to the Australian domiciliary setting. In‐home medication reviews are now widely available to any Australian at risk of medication misadventure.