LITERATURE ANALYSIS ON THE ROLE OF PHARMACISTS IN DRUG THERAPY MANAGEMENT IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS
Main Article Content
Ita Octafia
Safitri Indah Masithah
This study aims to analyze the role of pharmacists in medication therapy management (MTM) among geriatric patients, focusing on their contributions to optimizing pharmacotherapy, improving patient outcomes, and minimizing drug-related problems (DRPs). Employing a qualitative descriptive design through a literature-based approach, the research systematically reviewed scholarly articles, clinical studies, and official reports published between 2015 and 2025. Data were collected through comprehensive literature tracing and document analysis, then processed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns related to pharmacist interventions in geriatric care. The findings reveal that pharmacist-led activities—including medication reviews, deprescribing, and interprofessional collaboration—substantially reduce DRPs, enhance medication adherence, and improve clinical, functional, and economic outcomes. Moreover, the integration of pharmacists into multidisciplinary teams strengthens therapeutic decision-making and reduces adverse drug events, reinforcing their essential role in patient-centered healthcare systems. The study underscores the theoretical evolution of pharmaceutical care toward an integrated clinical practice model while highlighting economic benefits and enhanced quality of life for elderly patients. It concludes that pharmacists are vital in advancing safe and rational medication use within aging populations. Future research is encouraged to adopt mixed or longitudinal methods to further explore the long-term and cross-cultural impacts of pharmacist-led interventions.
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