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
Cancellation of Health Aotearoa 2020 conference
Cancellation of Health Aotearoa 2020 conference

Kia ora koutou,
What a year 2020 has turned out to be – today I’m writing with more conference news, and another change. The Board of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has agreed to cancel the Health Aotearoa 2020 conference in November.
The decision was not made lightly, given the conference had been postponed once and that an incredible amount of work had gone into organising the event (twice)! However, as the year has progressed it’s become clearer that we’re likely to be moving up and down levels regularly and that being able to meet in large numbers at a conference is no longer a reliable proposition.
Cancellation was the right thing to do
Staging a conference is a significant job that requires many College staff and I wish to personally acknowledge the enormous work and success of the very committed team who have been planning for this event.
We’ll be back in touch once we have further details.
Ngā mihi,
Lynne Hayman
Chief Executive
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners