Challenge 
Unused medication, particularly in older people, costs the NHS significantly. We worked with a clinical commissioning group to undertake a medicine optimisation programme, where structured medication reviews for patients were conducted, with a focus on identifying and reviewing patients with problematic polypharmacy and supporting cultural and behavioural changes.

Our work 
Our team tested the sustainability of the model, which was to deliver a combination of primary care outreach services for elderly patients with long-term complex conditions. The model would see a reduction of problematic polypharmacy which would alone deliver a significant cost saving to the NHS annually on wasted, unused medication.
 
Outcome
We For identified patients who are taking many medicines concurrently and are therefore those who were most likely to benefit from structured medication reviews, including care home residents, patients with complex and problematic polypharmacy, patients with severe frailty, who are particularly isolated or housebound or who have had recent hospital admissions/falls. We looked at good practice and improved the uptake of the most clinically and cost-effective medicines, delivering a reduction in spend on wasted medication.