Identifying and presenting key country-specific indicators related to medication adherence: a comprehensive study across European countries.

This study tackles the critical challenge of medication non-adherence in healthcare by pinpointing indicators related to medication adherence (IRMAs) across 39 European countries and Israel. Utilizing a structured expert survey methodology within the European Network to Advance Best Practices and Technology on Medication Adherence (ENABLE; COST Action CA19132), our research identified key country-specific IRMAs and collected data on these indicators to understand the multifaceted nature of medication adherence. The research was conducted in two phases: firstly, defining key IRMAs through a two-round expert survey, and secondly, gathering country-specific data on these IRMAs through literature reviews and additional expert surveys.

Health-related quality of life among older adults following acute hospitalization: longitudinal analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To describe the longitudinal change of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over 12 months from acute hospitalization in older adults ≥ 70 years (IMMENSE study), and associated factors, to investigate how a medication optimization intervention influenced this change.

Methods: The EQ-5D-3L was used at discharge and 1, 6 and 12 months after discharge during a randomized controlled trial including 285 participants. Multilevel logistic (EQ-5D-3L dimensions) and mixed model regression (EQ-5D-3L index scores, EQ-VAS) were used to explore the longitudinal change with/without the intervention, and associations with medications, comorbidities, and socioeconomic variables.

A Trial-Based Cost-Utility Analysis of a Medication Optimization Intervention Versus Standard Care in Older Adults.

Background: Older adults are at greater risk of medication-related harm than younger adults. The Integrated Medication Management model is an interdisciplinary method aiming to optimize medication therapy and improve patient outcomes.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the cost effectiveness of a medication optimization intervention compared to standard care in acutely hospitalized older adults.

Is anticholinergic and sedative drug burden associated with postdischarge institutionalization in community-dwelling older patients acutely admitted to hospital? A Norwegian registry-based study.

Purpose: Investigate the association between anticholinergic (AC) and sedative (SED) drug burden before hospitalization and postdischarge institutionalization (PDI) in community-dwelling older patients acutely admitted to hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from the Norwegian Patient Registry and the Norwegian Prescription Database. We studied acutely hospitalized community-dwelling patients ≥70 years during 2013 (N = 86 509).

Reimbursed medication adherence enhancing interventions in 12 european countries: Current state of the art and future challenges.

Medication non-adherence jeopardises the effectiveness of chronic therapies and negatively affects financial sustainability of healthcare systems. Available medication adherence-enhancing interventions (MAEIs) are utilised infrequently, and even more rarely reimbursed. The aim of this paper was to review reimbursed MAEIs across selected European countries.

Online and Blended Learning Courses for Healthcare Professionals and Policymakers on Patients' Perspectives on Medicine: A Project Report.

In order for healthcare professionals to better engage with patients, they need to understand and integrate the perspectives of patients into their daily work. In this project, we developed two courses for healthcare professionals on patients' perspectives on medicine. One course was an online course that introduced the patients' perspectives on medicine and explained its importance for healthcare and health policy.

Implementation of a shared medication list in primary care - a controlled pre-post study of medication discrepancies.

Background: Access to medicines information is important when treating patients, yet discrepancies in medication records are common. Many countries are developing shared medication lists across health care providers. These systems can improve information sharing, but little is known about how they affect the need for medication reconciliation.

Medication dose calculation errors and other numeracy mishaps in hospitals: Analysis of the nature and enablers of incident reports.

Aims: To investigate medication dose calculation errors and other numeracy mishaps in hospitals and examine mechanisms and enablers which lead to such errors.

Design: A retrospective study using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of the nature and enablers of reported incidents.

Methods: Medication dose calculation errors and other numeracy mishaps were identified from medication-related incidents reported to the Norwegian Incident Reporting System in 2016 and 2017.

The Practice Guidelines for Multidose Drug Dispensing Need Revision-An Investigation of Prescription Problems and Interventions.

Multidose drug dispensing (MDD) is an adherence aid used by one-third of patients receiving home care services in Norway. The system can increase patient safety by reducing dispensing errors and increase adherence, however it has also been criticised for unclear routines and distribution of responsibilities. We investigated prescription problems which pharmacists have detected, and the responsibilities they adopt regarding MDD.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing to older patients receiving multidose drug dispensing.

Background: Multidose drug dispensing (MDD) is an adherence aid that provides patients with machine-dispensed medicines in disposable unit bags, usually for a 14 day period. Previous studies have suggested that the quality of prescribing, with time, is lower for MDD users, compared to patients receiving prescriptions dispensed as usual. This study aimed to examine the quality of prescribing to Norwegian elderly home care service patients receiving MDD.

A systematic review of the use of simulated patient methodology in pharmacy practice research from 2006 to 2016.

Objectives: Simulated patient (SP) methodology (mystery shopping) is used increasingly to assess quality of pharmacy services, and evaluate impact of interventions. Our objective was to review papers reporting on the use of SP methodology in pharmacy practice research 2006-2016 in community pharmacies worldwide.

Methods: We searched EMBASE and MEDLINE for papers reporting on the use of mystery shopping in pharmacy settings, using a wide range of terms for SPs, based on previous review.

Interdisciplinary collaboration across secondary and primary care to improve medication safety in the elderly (IMMENSE study): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are common in the elderly, leading to suboptimal therapy, hospitalisations and increased mortality. The integrated medicines management (IMM) model is a multifactorial interdisciplinary methodology aiming to optimise individual medication therapy throughout the hospital stay. IMM has been shown to reduce readmissions and drug-related hospital readmissions.

Utilisation and polypharmacy aspects of antiepileptic drugs in elderly versus younger patients with epilepsy: A pharmacoepidemiological study of CNS-active drugs in Norway, 2004-2015.

Background And Purpose: Many patients with epilepsy use antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in combination. The elderly is a vulnerable group regarding polypharmacy. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in utilisation of AEDs, and the extent of polypharmacy with other CNS-active drugs in elderly versus younger patients in Norway.

Prescribing of NOACs has outnumbered warfarin: exploring how physicians choose anticoagulant treatments.

Purpose: The development of non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is a new alternative to treatment with warfarin. The purpose of this study was to explore drug prescription decisions of NOACs or warfarin from hospital physicians in cardiovascular departments.

Methods: A qualitative study with focus group interviews was conducted in three different hospitals.

Elderly users of fall-risk-increasing drug perceptions of fall risk and the relation to their drug use - a qualitative study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore how home-dwelling elderly who use fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) perceive their fall risk and how they relate this to their drug use.

Design, Setting And Subjects: A qualitative study with 14 home-dwelling elderly FRID users between 65 and 97 years in Central Norway participating in semi-structured individual interviews. The data were analyzed thematically by using systematic text condensation.

Provision of pharmaceutical care by community pharmacists across Europe: Is it developing and spreading?

Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: Pharmaceutical care involves patient-centred pharmacist activity to improve medicines management by patients. The implementation of this service in a comprehensive manner, however, requires considerable organisation and effort, and indeed, it is often not fully implemented in care settings. The main objective was to assess how pharmaceutical care provision within community pharmacy has evolved over time in Europe.

Deprescribing for frail older people - Learning from the case of Mrs. Hansen.

Drug treatment is often an essential part in treatment and prevention of diseases in older people, but there is much concern about inappropriate medication use. This paper aims to describe the complexity of medication safety issues and clinical judgments when optimizing prescribing in older individuals. It uses the case of Mrs.

Prevalence of Different Combinations of Antiepileptic Drugs and CNS Drugs in Elderly Home Care Service and Nursing Home Patients in Norway.

Introduction. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to treat different conditions in elderly patients and are among the drug classes most susceptible to be involved in drug-drug interactions (DDI). The aim of the study was to describe and compare use of AEDs between home care service and nursing home patients, as these patients are not included in nationwide databases of drug utilization.

'I try not to bother the residents too much' - the use of capillary blood glucose measurements in nursing homes.

Background: Capillary blood glucose measurements are regularly used for nursing home residents with diabetes. The usefulness of these measurements relies on clear indications for use, correct measurement techniques, proper documentation and clinical use of the resulting blood glucose values. The use of a regular, invasive procedure may also entail additional challenges in a population of older, multimorbid patients who often suffer from cognitive impairment or dementia.

Social Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy-Joining Forces.

This commentary seeks to define the areas of social pharmacy and clinical pharmacy to uncover what they have in common and what still sets them apart. Common threats and challenges of the two areas are reviewed in order to understand the forces in play. Forces that still keep clinical and social pharmacy apart are university structures, research traditions, and the management of pharmacy services.