Background and importance Polymedication is becoming a growing problem nowadays in the general population. Drugs offer huge benefits treating acute and chronic conditions, but the more drugs are prescribed, the more potentially drug-related problems (PDRP) are found. Duplicities, prescription cascades, low therapeutical value drugs (LTVD), QT prolongation and anticholinergic potency are some of the main drug-related problems. Identifying target population with these problems can be a step forward to make pharmacological deprescription or modifications.

Aim and objectives The objective of this study was to investigate and quantify whether there are drug-related problems in a polimedicated population that belongs to a secondary level hospital as the first step of a pharmacist-led treatment revision.

Material and methods An observational transversal study in a hospital influence area of 450 000 inhabitants was done. Polymedication was defined as more than 15 prescribed drugs per patient. Sociodemographic and treatment data to quantify drug-related problems was extracted from digital clinical records. Excel (v. 2016) was used to process the data. Notes: duplicities were listed by comparing ATC level 5 (drug) and 4 (chemical subgrup); LTVD listed in local health-system documents; QT-prolonging drugs listed at CredibleMeds.

Results At September 2021, 2258 patients were found to be polymedicated. 1456 patients were female (64.5%). Median age was 75 (range 21–98) years. Drug-related problems found are listed in Table 1.

Conclusion and relevance The results showed a high prevalence of PDRP, duplicities and LTVD being the most listed. This implies a high risk of adverse events or treatment misadequation. From this point with these data, a pharmacist-led revision programme could be a starting point to try to enhance treatment prescriptions.

References and/or acknowledgements https://ejhp.bmj.com/content/24/3/137.abstract

Conflict of interest No conflict of interest