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
Shingles vaccine funded for 65-year-olds with catch-ups for those missed
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In print
Shingles vaccine funded for 65-year-olds with catch-ups for those missed
Wednesday 9 May 2018, 10:06 AM

Complications occur in one in four people with shingles
VACCINES: Patients receiving the herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine are much less likely to be hospitalised for the effects of shingles, and less likely to suffer loss of independence
Key points
All adults are likely to be infected with varicella-zoster virus.
Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine Zostavax is funded for those
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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