Deprescribing: a call for research that supports implementation in practice

Decades of prescribing to treat the acquisition of chronic conditions, coupled with age-associated changes in the body’s handling of medicines, have led to an ‘overprescribing epidemic’.[1] Concomitant prescribing of medicines, termed polypharmacy, is common, particularly in the care of older people. In many circumstances, polypharmacy is appropriate, with each medicine prescribed affording more benefits than the risk of side effects. Overprescribing is, therefore, not simply exceeding a numerical threshold, and it may be more helpful to consider the benefits and risks afforded by the medicines that are prescribed to a given patient.