For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Adverse comment for GP, Health NZ, and medical centre - 20HDC01043
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Adverse comment for GP, Health NZ, and medical centre - 20HDC01043
Monday 3 February 2025, 02:00 PM

In a report released today, Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell provides adverse comment on a GP, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and a medical centre over delays in care provided to a man who was later diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma.
Following the diagnosis, which had presented as a lesion on his right index finger, the patient required amputation of his finger, removal of lymph nodes and radiation therapy.