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
Exhaustion taking its toll

We called it The Big 20 Survey: The Year-End Wrap and sent it to everyone who receives our email newsletter Daily Triage. Most opened, many clicked and 122 hardy souls completed the survey. The self-selecting survey ran from the day pay parity funding was announced (but did not include general practice), 28 November, to 2 December. About three-quarters of responses were from GPs, the remainder being from nurse practitioners, practice managers, health officials, allied health staff, secondary care clinicians and others. Many supplied additional comments as well as ticking the boxes. Martin Johnston describes what was revealed
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here.