Is pharmacotherapeutic counseling the answer to multimorbidity and polypharmacy?

Abstract:

Pharmaceuticals consumption is increasing, and often resulting in therapeutic problems that are reflected in an increase in the duration and intensity of hospital treatment, the number of patients admitted to the hospital departments, emergency admission, mortality, and treatment failure. The complexity of this issue is further aggravated by increasingly complex therapeutic regimens making it difficult to achieve appropriate clinical outcomes. Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) services could contribute to improving clinical outcomes, quality of life and cost reduction by optimizing patients' therapy. The CMM services have been provided by pharmacists in cooperation with general practitioners at the Pharmacotherapy Counseling Center of the Health Care Center Zagreb-Center since January 2018.

Key words:
clinical pharmacist; drug therapy, combination, problems; medication therapy management; Pharmacotherapy Counseling Center