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
The Bacon Butty Breakfast is back
The Bacon Butty Breakfast is back

The Bacon Butty Breakfast COVID-19 vaccination clinic is back – with an added option of yoghurt and granola cups, and fresh fruit!
Anyone receiving their COVID-19 vaccination at the earlybird clinic on Wednesday ( 29 September) between 7am and 9am can choose between a bacon and egg butty or a yoghurt and granola cup, and select a piece of fresh fruit.
Bevan Clayton-Smith, Taranaki COVID-19 Vaccination programme senior responsible officer, says “We had such a positive response from the Taranaki people last week, we thought we would do it all again. Removing barriers for people so they can get their COVID-19 vaccination is vital, so if offering breakfast enables people to find the time on a Wednesday morning to come to the clinic, it’s got to be a good thing.
“More and more scientific evidence is surfacing that COVID-19 is here to stay and it will only be a matter of time before it is endemic in New Zealand. We have this window of opportunity as a country, and a community, to save lives and protect the vulnerable by getting vaccinated.
“Anyone who is yet to receive their first dose - your time is now! Please come along, or book into one of the hundreds of Taranaki appointments available on Book My Vaccine.”