Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy
Led by Dr Stella Talic and Dr Harvey Koh
Polypharmacy, commonly defined as the use of five or more medications, is a growing global health concern, particularly among older adults with multiple chronic conditions. It is associated with increased risks of falls, hospitalisations, adverse drug reactions, drug–drug interactions, non-adherence, and mortality. Yet, despite its clinical importance, polypharmacy remains inconsistently defined and measured. Over 100 definitions exist in the literature, most relying on arbitrary medication counts, which limits comparability across studies and hinders effective intervention.
Our research will transform how polypharmacy is defined, measured, and managed in both research and clinical practice. By leveraging linked administrative, primary care, and patient-reported data, we aim to identify high-risk prescribing patterns, evaluate deprescribing interventions, and co-design decision-support tools with clinicians and consumers.
Projects
- A systematic review of polypharmacy definitions, prevalence, and associated outcomes to inform a unified measurement framework.
- Harmonisation of existing polypharmacy metrics through a consensus-based approach.
- Development of a new polypharmacy metric and external validation in large international cohorts with the development of risk prediction algorithms and global transportability guidelines.