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
Commission welcomes new chair and board members
Commission welcomes new chair and board members

The Health Quality & Safety Commission is pleased to welcome a new board chair and five new board members.
Our current deputy chair Dr Dale Bramley has replaced Professor Alan Merry as chair. Prof Merry has chaired the board since the establishment of the Commission and has made an enormous contribution over the past nine years. There will be a formal farewell for Prof Merry in November.
The new board members are:
• Rae Lamb, deputy chair
• Dr Jenny Parr
• Mena Antonio
• Shenagh Gleisner
• Professor Peter Crampton.
They join existing board members Dr Gloria Johnson and Mr Andrew Connolly.
Chief executive Dr Janice Wilson says this is an exciting time for the Commission.
'As an organisation we have been privileged to have an extremely committed and effective board and chair, and the new appointees continue this high standard.
'Professor Alan Merry’s vast experience in health and academia and extremely high standing among his peers have been instrumental in guiding the Commission. His input will be greatly missed. We will also miss the commitment and valuable input of outgoing board members Bob Henderson and Dr Bev O’Keefe, as well as Dame Alison Paterson and Gwen Tepania-Palmer who leave in November.
'We are delighted to welcome Dr Dale Bramley as our new chair. Dale has been a valued Commission board member and we look forward to his input as chair.'