Polypharmacy challenges, pharmacovigilance, and the pharmacist’s role in minimizing the risks of pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24959/sphhcj.26.385

Keywords:

geriatric patients; clinical trials of drugs; pharmacists’ competencies; medicinal products; risk minimization; adverse reactions; polypharmacy; pharmacovigilance

Abstract

The aging of the population and negative demographic trends in Ukraine exacerbated by the consequences of the full-scale war, create a significant burden on the healthcare system and require new approaches to the safety of treatment for the elderly. The high prevalence of multimorbidity among geriatric patients leads to the widespread use of several drugs simultaneously, which significantly increases the risk of adverse reactions.

Aim. To substantiate the role of the pharmacist in minimizing the risks of polypharmacy and improving the pharmacovigilance system to ensure the rational therapy for elderly patients.

Materials and methods. The study used the method of the system analysis of modern scientific literature, including data from clinical and randomized controlled trials examining the impact of polypharmacy on the safety of patients with heart failure, oncology, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Results and discussion. It has been found that physiological changes in aging significantly alter the drug pharmacokinetics, leading to a tendency for the accumulation and relative overdose. It has been proven that the prevalence of polypharmacy in geriatric groups often exceeds 90 %, with “inappropriate” polypharmacy posing a particular danger, leading to an increased mortality and hospitalizations. The effectiveness of monitoring tools, such as the Beers criteria, has been analyzed, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach with the mandatory participation of pharmacists has been emphasized. The problem of under-representation of geriatric patients in clinical trials has been identified, and it increases the role of post-marketing pharmacovigilance.

Conclusions. Minimizing the risks of the improper drug use in geriatrics requires the active involvement of pharmacists in the process of reviewing prescriptions and implementing pharmacovigilance. The implementation of innovative digital tools and data standardization will allow for proactive monitoring of the therapy safety and improve the quality of life of patients.

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Published

2026-04-01

How to Cite

Polova, Z. M., & Doroshenko, A. I. (2026). Polypharmacy challenges, pharmacovigilance, and the pharmacist’s role in minimizing the risks of pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients. Social Pharmacy in Health Care, 12(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.24959/sphhcj.26.385

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2026): Social pharmacy in health care

Section

Social medicine and pharmacy: past, present and development prospects

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