Economic evaluation of pharmacist-led medication reviews in residential aged care facilities

Introduction: Medication reviews is a widely accepted approach known to have a
substantial impact on patients’ pharmacotherapy and safety. Numerous options to optimise
pharmacotherapy in older people have been reported in literature and they include
medication reviews, computerised decision support systems, management teams, and
educational approaches. Pharmacist-led medication reviews are increasingly being
conducted, aimed at attaining patient safety and medication optimisation. Cost
effectiveness is an essential aspect of a medication review evaluation.
Areas covered: A systematic searching of articles that examined the cost-effectiveness of
medication reviews conducted in aged care facilities was performed using the relevant
databases. Pharmacist-led medication reviews confer many benefits such as attainment of
biomarker targets for improved clinical outcomes, and other clinical parameters, as well as
depict concrete financial advantages in terms of decrement in total medication costs and
associated cost savings.
Expert commentary: The cost-effectiveness of medication reviews are more consequential
than ever before. A critical evaluation of pharmacist-led medication reviews in residential
aged care facilities from an economical aspect is crucial in determining if the time, effort,
and direct and indirect costs involved in the review rationalise the significance of conducting
medication reviews for older people in aged care facilities.