Pharmacist-led medication reviews in aged care residents with dementia: a systematic review

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes associated with pharmacist-led medication reviews in residential aged care facility (RACF) residents with dementia.

Methods: Six scientific databases were searched. All study designs investigating pharmacist-led medication reviews in RACF residents with dementia were considered. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019121681).

Results: One randomised controlled trial (RCT) and five observational studies were identified. Two studies reported reductions in medication usage per resident, and one study reported improved appropriateness of psychotropic use following reviews as part of multi-faceted, collaborative interventions. In three studies, reviews undertaken as an isolated intervention or by a visiting pharmacist with minimal collaboration with physicians were associated with low implementation rates of recommendations to alter therapy.

Conclusion: Pharmacist-led medication reviews, when conducted collaboratively, may improve the use of medicines in RACF residents with dementia. However, robust conclusions cannot be drawn, largely due to the low quality of evidence available, including only one RCT.