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
Calling all primary health care professionals

Calling all primary health care professionals
Co-designing a template for the Management of Long Covid in Primary Care
We are a team of researchers based at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington working on a project called “Evidence-based Management of Long Covid”.
The study leads are Associate Professor Lynne Russell (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou) and Associate Professor Mona Jeffreys. One part of this project is to co-design a template for the management of Long Covid in primary care. We have heard from about 50 people with Long Covid, and will be working iteratively with a small group of them to refine initial ideas of what would meet their needs.
Your professional input to this work would also add great value. We would like to invite you to take part in two workshops, to be held online on Mondays 1st Sept and 13th October 2025, from 10.00am to 11.00am. Alternative dates/times can be arranged if needed.
Please contact Associate Professor Mona Jeffreys for more information: