The Role of the Clinical Pharmacist in Geriatric Patient Care
in: Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy 2nd edition, Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, Editor, Elsevier Science, Oxford/Amsterdam , Massachusetts, 2026
- Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/b978-0-443-26472-6.00028-0
- Publisher: Elsevier Science, Oxford/Amsterdam
- City: Massachusetts
- Editors: Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, Editor
- Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The aging population introduces significant challenges in medication management, driven by multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. These factors elevate the likelihood of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug–drug interactions (DDIs), and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). To promote safer prescribing practices, tools such as the Beers Criteria, the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions and Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (STOPP/START) criteria, and the Drug Burden Index (DBI) are employed. Clinical pharmacists play an essential role in this context by conducting medication reviews, reconciliation, deprescribing efforts, and supporting medication adherence. Their interventions improve prescribing quality, reduce drug-related problems (DRPs), and enhance outcomes, making them essential to optimizing geriatric pharmacotherapy.