New deprescribing guideline for older Australians gains RACGP support
25 Sep 2025
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has endorsed a new clinical guideline designed to reduce the harms caused by polypharmacy – the use of multiple medicines – in older people.
The guideline covers commonly prescribed medicines for Australians aged 65 and over and also addresses other medications where deprescribing, or safely stopping medicines, may be appropriate.
Almost 40% of Australians aged 75 and above take five or more prescription medicines, and research suggests medication-related problems contribute to at least 250,000 hospital admissions each year, with about two-thirds potentially preventable.
Dr Xisco Reus, a GP and member of the guideline steering committee, said polypharmacy in older people is a serious healthcare issue. He said the guideline aims to provide GPs and other healthcare professionals with practical tools to make deprescribing safer, easier, and more effective.
“One challenge has been the lack of clear guidance,” Dr Reus said. “Most existing guidelines focus on single diseases and don’t cover the complex health situations often seen in older adults. These new guidelines provide clear advice on when and how to safely stop medicines.”
The guideline is designed to be practical for everyday clinical work, helping GPs manage real-world situations, such as whether to stop anticoagulants in patients who have frequent falls or a gastrointestinal bleed. It includes recommendations for 35 medicine classes, with detailed explanations and evidence-based guidance on monitoring patients after medicines are withdrawn.
Lead author Amanda Quek, a pharmacist and PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia, said a treatment that was once suitable may no longer be the best choice as a person’s health or goals change. “These guidelines support healthcare professionals and patients to make safe decisions about reducing or stopping medicines that may no longer be needed,” she said.
Dr Anthony Marinucci, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Aged Care, said the guideline gives GPs an evidence-based roadmap to improve patient safety and wellbeing. “Many older patients suffer harms from unnecessary medications, including falls, confusion, and reduced quality of life,” he said.
The guideline has also been endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Australasian College of Pharmacy. The full clinical practice guidelines for deprescribing in older people are available at deprescribing.com.
Source: newsGP
