The National Overprescribing report (2021) demonstrated that systemic and cultural changes are required to reduce overprescribing and inappropriate polypharmacy.  Polypharmacy is increasing on a national level and disproportionally with the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) area. 

An innovative Polypharmacy Multidisciplinary Clinic was piloted in the LLR ICB.  This Clinic comprised of a consultant with a specialist interest in polypharmacy and a specialist hospital pharmacist who received and reviewed patient referrals from different Primary Care Networks.   Eligible patients with inappropriate polypharmacy were then discussed in a virtual MDT clinic with the GP and / or the PCN pharmacist.   Recommendations made within the clinic included deprescribing advice, monitoring regimens, dose optimisation suggestions and complex tapering plans.  We offered the option of patient attendance and provided longer appointment slots where this occurred to allow sufficient time to explore patient priorities and concerns. 

As part of the pilot agreement we collected clinic data which was analysed by EDGE Health.  The results estimated that that the potential 12-month prescribing savings from deprescribing medicines recommended by our clinic amounts to £10,279. 

During this session we will be discussing our experience of running the unique MDT polypharmacy clinic.  We will provide you both consultant and pharmacist perspectives whilst discussing the positive aspects and challenges of delivering the service.   We will discuss plans for the future and potential adjustments to the clinic model to make it a substantive service.