Pharmacists are medicines experts, and medication safety is at the core of their role in patient care. They play a critical role in preventing medication-related harm, improving adherence, and ensuring patients receive the right medicine at the right time.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is proud to support MedsAware Week, a national initiative raising awareness about polypharmacy and deprescribing. This year, the focus extends to sustainability, highlighting how deprescribing can have mutual benefits for both people and the planet.
Why deprescribing matters
Medicines play a vital role in treating and preventing disease, but their risks and benefits can change over time as a person ages, develops new conditions, or adjusts their care goals. Regular medication reviews ensure that treatments remain effective and do not cause harm.
Medicines also impact the environment. Globally, health systems account for 4.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions, but in Australia, this figure is even higher at 7%. Hospitals and medicines alone make up two-thirds of the carbon footprint associated with healthcare.
Encouraging conversations about medicines
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPhA), the organisation leading MedsAware Week, is encouraging patients and healthcare professionals to have meaningful conversations about medications—particularly whether a medicine or dosage is still necessary.
Deprescribing, when appropriate, can improve both patient safety and environmental sustainability. However, medicines should never be stopped without consulting a pharmacist or prescriber. By working together, pharmacists and patients can ensure medicines are used safely and effectively.
At the heart of the campaign, AdPhA is encouraging patients to ask questions such as:
- What medications do I need to keep taking, and why?
- Have any medications been added, stopped, or changed?
- How will I know if my medication is working, and what side effects should I watch for?
- Could you review whether I still need this medicine?
Pharmacists are encouraged to initiate these conversations and support patients in making informed, safe, and sustainable medication decisions.
For more information on MedsAware Week and how to get involved, visit MedsAware campaign resources - Advanced Pharmacy Australia
