Medicines Optimisation is a patient-focused approach to getting the best from investment in and use of medicines. It requires a holistic approach, an enhanced level of patient centred professionalism, and partnership between clinical professionals and a patient.
Medicines optimisation approach requires multidisciplinary team working. Healthcare professionals will need to work together to individualise care, monitor outcomes, review medicines appropriately and support patients when needed.
Below is a selection of resources that can support medicines optimisation.
General principles of Medicines Optimisation
South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System Generic Brand Guidance for SYB - June 2025
Medicines Optimisation, Quality Standard, QS120, NICE, 2016
NICE Multimorbidity guidance - September 2016
NICE NG5- Medicines Optimisation Guidance
Shared decision-making (SDM)
Shared decision-making (SDM) is an essential part of evidence-based medicine, seeking to use the best available evidence to guide decisions about the care of the individual patient, taking into account their needs, preferences and values. SDM supports person centred care, alongside care planning and self-management.
Resources to support patient decision making
How to provide patients with the right information to make informed decisions, RPS, 2018
Also see Me and My Medicines. The Me and My Medicines campaign encourages patients, families and carers to ask questions about their medicines so that they can be helped to get the most benefit and make informed shared decisions. This leaflet can be used in consultations to support conversations.
Patient information leaflet to support:
Evidence Based Tools, Guidance & Resources to support Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs), Polypharmacy and Deprescribing
Resources
Anticholinergic cognitive burden scale, Aging Brain Care, 2012
CPPE Learning Disabilities Hub
Frailty, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) toolkit
General deprescribing algorithm
NHS SPS Patient Centred Approach
NHS Scotland 7 Steps Medication Review
*PrescQIPP Polypharmacy and deprescribing
Reducing medication related falls risk in older adults - Review date November 2027
- Patient information leaflet - Older persons – staying safe with medication and reducing your risk of a fall
*PrescQIPP offers a wide range of resources on SMR, Polypharmacy and Deprescribing, log into PrescQIPP to access these resources.
*To register with PrescQIPP follow this link