A Pharmacist Consultant Service for Deprescribing Opioids and Benzodiazepines in Older Adults

What impact does a pharmacist consultant service have on deprescribing rates of opioids and benzodiazepines in older adults?In this cluster randomized trial of 15 primary care clinics with 961 and 1107 older adults taking long-term opioids and benzodiazepines, respectively, reductions in morphine and diazepam milliequivalents were achieved in both the intervention and control groups. There was no statistically significant reduction in medication use or falls.These results suggest that a consultant pharmacist–led intervention is feasible to implement in primary care clinics.

Corresponding Author: Stefanie P. Ferreri, PharmD, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 1309 Kerr Hall, CB 7574, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (stefanie_ferreri@unc.edu).

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