BARRIERS TO POLYPHARMACY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION IN POLAND

Introduction and Objective Polypharmacy and medication adherence in the older population are significant public health issues throughout the European Union (EU), and are critical issues in integrated care. SIMPATHY (Stimulating Innovation Management of Polypharmacy and Adherence in The Elderly) is a consortium of 10 organizations representing 8 EU countries with the goal of stimulating innovation around polypharmacy and adherence, ultimately providing the tools for implementation of polypharmacy management programs. Method A desk review of the polypharmacy and adherence policies at the government, regional and institutional level has been completed. Key informant interviews were conducted with the pharmacists and clinicians responsible for pharmaceutical care development in Poland. Focus groups will then be used to validate the research findings. Policies and practices under development of the Ministry of Health task group were included for analysis. Results and Conclusions Based on the desk review, Poland has no polypharmacy and adherence program targeted at patients with multiple chronic conditions and older adults at risk for adverse drug events. However, the program is under development by a task group initiated by the Ministry of Health. Key informant interviews revealed barriers to implementation of polypharmacy management program and solutions to them, which will be presented during the conference. Barriers to polypharmacy management program implementation identified in Poland may help other countries with no programs of this kind to identify barriers and implement solutions in their countries. Family physicians as polypharmacy management target group should be aware of solutions which help implement polypharmacy management.