Full Answer Section

• Enhances quality of life: A simplified medication regimen can reduce the “pill burden” for patients, making it easier to manage their medications and potentially improving their overall well-being and daily function. It can also alleviate bothersome side effects that impact quality of life.
• Optimizes treatment: De-prescribing allows healthcare providers to focus on medications that are truly necessary and effective for a patient’s current health goals, especially as their health status or care goals change over time (e.g., in frailty or end-of-life care).
• Reduces healthcare costs and waste: Unnecessary medications contribute to higher healthcare costs and medication waste. De-prescribing can lead to more efficient use of resources.
• Promotes patient-centered care: De-prescribing is a shared decision-making process between the patient and their healthcare provider. It allows for discussions about individual needs, preferences, and goals, ensuring that medication plans align with what matters most to the patient.
• Improves medication adherence: A simpler medication schedule can make it easier for patients to stick to their prescribed regimen for the truly essential medications.

In essence, de-prescribing is a critical component of “medicines optimization,” ensuring that patients receive the right medications, at the right time, and in the right doses, with a focus on maximizing benefits and minimizing harms. While prescribing is vital, knowing when and how to safely reduce or stop medications is equally crucial for delivering safe, effective, and person-centered care.