Community Pharmacist-Physician Teamwork May Prevent Falls

Results of a recent North Carolina study suggest that community pharmacists could have an impact on fall risk in older adults residing in the community. The study investigators recruited 186 participants 65 years of age or older, who had fallen at least once during the one year period preceding enrollment. All participants were taking medications associated with an increased risk of falling (benzodiazepines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, sedative hypnotics, opioid analgesics, antipsychotics, and skeletal muscle relaxants). Half of the participants were randomly selected and invited to participate in a face-to-face medication consultation with a pharmacist.

The study results were published in two reports. The first report describes the number of recurrent falls in the year following the medication review. The second report describes physician responses to pharmacist recommendations and found that of the 41 recommendations for medication changes, only 10 were implemented and 6 of the 31 physicians contacted did not respond. The study concluded that while there were decreases in falls and injurious falls, the differences were not statistically significant and that coordination of care between community pharmacists and prescribers needs to be improved to benefit from the potential effects of medication management on falls prevention. 

Community pharmacists can play key roles in identifying fall risks in older adults through a medication review. While a larger study is needed to determine the extent of risk reduction, the need for stronger relationships between community pharmacists and physicians is clear.