Plain-language summary of research published in the Georgian Medical Journal. Written for the general public by the GMJ News editorial team.
An elderly patient sees a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, and a family doctor. Each prescribes correctly. The result: eleven daily medications, several of which interact, two of which duplicate each other, and one of which is causing the dizziness that led to a fall. This is polypharmacy — and a systematic review in the Georgian Medical Journal examines the strongest evidence for who can fix it: pharmacists.
The Scale of the Problem
Polypharmacy — commonly defined as taking five or more regular medications — affects a large share of older adults worldwide. It multiplies the risk of adverse drug reactions, dangerous interactions, falls, hospitalisations, and confusion. Crucially, much of the harm comes not from any single wrong prescription but from the accumulation that no single prescriber sees in full.
What the Review Examined
The review systematically analysed studies of pharmacist-led interventions: structured medication reviews, deprescribing programmes, and collaborative care models in which pharmacists — the professionals trained specifically in drug interactions and dosing — audit the whole medication list and work with physicians to optimise it.
What the Evidence Shows
Across the reviewed studies, pharmacist involvement improved prescribing quality (fewer inappropriate medications, fewer duplications and interactions) and strengthened patient safety outcomes. The clinical picture supports a clear conclusion: the pharmacist’s expertise is a underused safety resource sitting in plain sight.
Why It Matters for Georgia
In many health systems, including Georgia’s, pharmacists function mainly as dispensers rather than clinical team members. This evidence argues for a larger role: integrating pharmacist medication review into care for older and chronically ill patients could prevent harm at comparatively low cost — a system improvement waiting to be implemented.
Read the Original Research
Original article: Pharmacist-Led Interventions in the Management of Polypharmacy: A Systematic Review of Clinical Effectiveness, Prescribing Quality and Patient Safety Outcomes
Authors: Nato Alavidze, Maka Javakhia, Nino Abuladze, Ketevani Gabunia et al.
Published in: Georgian Medical Journal, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026) — Health Systems Performance and Quality of Care
DOI: 10.66636/gmj.v1.i2.a41
📄 Read the full article at gmj.ge →
Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ) · ISSN 3088-4322 · gmj.ge · Open Access CC BY 4.0 · Published by the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG). This summary is an independent editorial product of GMJ News; for clinical decisions, consult the original peer-reviewed article and a qualified professional.
Was this article helpful?
Disclaimer. This article is health journalism intended for general information and education. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual circumstances. Full disclaimer →
Related Coverage
Editorial standards. This article was produced under the GMJ News editorial process, with oversight by the GMJ Editorial Board. Our editorial process. Spotted an error? Contact the editorial team.
