Long-Term Care medicines formularies: any reasons for pharmacists' concern?

• Main Authors: João Rafael Gonçalves (Author), Giordano Avancini Sole (Author), Afonso Miguel Cavaco (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo, 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2175-9790; 10.1590/s2175-97902023e22802
• Keywords: Medicines formularies; Long-Term Care; Aged; Pharmacists; Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee; Pharmacy and materia medica; RS1-441
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 59 (2023)

Abstract This study aimed to characterize and compare medicines formularies (MFs) used in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities in Portugal, and to identify the prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medicines (PIMs). A systematic contact with LTC facilities was undertaken in December 2021. MFs were systematized according to the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical classification system (ATC), followed by descriptive content analysis. A structured comparison between MFs developed by public organizations and private LTC facilities was performed. After duplicate removal and exclusion of medicines not for systemic use, two explicit criteria - the Algorithm of medication review in frail older people and the EU(7)-PIM list - were employed for PIMs identification. Five MFs were obtained and assessed. The three MFs developed by private institutions covered 23% of the national LTC facilities and approximately 34% of the national total of beds. Heterogeneity was particularly high for the Alimentary tract and metabolism, Blood and blood-forming organs, Musculoskeletal system, and Respiratory system ATC groups. A PIM prevalence of 29,4% was identified. Medicines distribution between the MFs suggests the need to develop national guidelines towards harmonizing medicines usage in LTC. The prevalence of PIMs found highlights the importance of a particular optimized use of this health technology in aged sub-populations.