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
Change consultations stop after financial savings achieved
Change consultations stop after financial savings achieved

Health New Zealand is pleased to have reached agreement with the Public Service Association on three change proposals.
It follows cost savings being met in those areas through operational efficiencies, voluntary redundancy and early exit processes.
The agreement means change processes have stopped for National Public Health Service and Planning, Funding and Outcomes Group - Data Analytics and the PSA has agreed to withdraw the legal proceedings for these changes processes.
While not part of the legal proceedings, the change process has also stopped for the Planning, Funding and Outcomes Group - Community Mental Health Services, Funding and Investment.
We attended mediation with the PSA earlier this month in response to legal proceedings it filed in the Employment Relations Authority. We couldn’t resolve issues during mediation, but continued discussions and appreciate the PSA approaching those in a constructive manner.
Health NZ continues to work through processes for other business units where change is underway to ensure all parts of our organisation live within budget and will remain engaged with our staff and unions as we do that.