Belgian pharmacists to review medications for elderly nursing home residents

Frank Vandenbroucke, the Belgian Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, announced that pharmacists can now review the medications of nursing home residents over the age of 85 who take at least five drugs.

This initiative aims to improve treatment plans by preventing dangerous drug interactions, incorrect dosages, and unnecessary prescriptions for elderly patients. Pharmacists will conduct these reviews in cooperation with nurses and the patients' coordinating physicians.

While the pharmacist performs the analysis, the attending doctor retains the final authority to change a treatment plan after consulting with the patient or their representative. The service will prioritize patients who use psychotropic drugs, have severe kidney problems, were recently hospitalized, or have complained about their current treatment. The Belgian government will provide a budget of approximately 775,000 euros annually to cover these reviews for about 8,500 residents. Patients will receive this medication review at no cost to them.

Pharmacists will receive about 82 euros for each analysis, which can occur every two years or more frequently if a doctor prescribes it.