Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy is most commonly defined as the use of five or more medications daily by an individual. A high rate of polypharmacy is, in part, a consequence of the increasing proportion of multimorbidity in the ageing population worldwide. In Switzerland, polypharmacy prevalence is reported to be 11.8 % [2020 Khezrian].

The presence of numerous chronic illnesses is common in vulnerable elderly individuals and can greatly escalate the consumption of multiple medications. Polypharmacy stands out as a major issue in public health concerning the elderly, and this problem is expected to worsen with the rising number of individuals enduring long-term health conditions. The urgency for prompt and efficient management of polypharmacy has been emphasized to mitigate the dangers and expenses associated with prescriptions.