Academic Journal
Insights Into Pharmacist-Led Deprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Related Drugs: A Qualitative Study With Physicians and Pharmacists.
| Title: | Insights Into Pharmacist-Led Deprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Related Drugs: A Qualitative Study With Physicians and Pharmacists. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Korppas M; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.; HUS Pharmacy, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland., Tiihonen M; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland., Buch Lund M; Health and Social Services, Helsinki, Finland., Kvarnström K; HUS Pharmacy, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. |
| Source: | Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology [Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol] 2025 Oct; Vol. 137 (4), pp. e70106. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Blackwell Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101208422 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1742-7843 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17427835 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2005-> : Oxford : Blackwell Original Publication: Copenhagen, Denmark : Oxford, UK : Nordic Pharmacological Society Distributed by Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004- |
| MeSH Terms: | Benzodiazepines*/administration & dosage , Pharmacists*/psychology , Physicians*/psychology , Deprescriptions* , Pharmaceutical Services*, Interviews as Topic ; Qualitative Research ; Humans ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Practice Patterns, Pharmacists' ; Professional Role ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged |
| Abstract: | While deprescribing benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZRDs) is crucial for preventing prolonged use and their associated adverse effects, it presents challenges from a healthcare perspective, because of limited resources and time. Recently, a pharmacist-led deprescribing of BZRDs in the treatment of insomnia was introduced in Helsinki's primary care health centres. To explore pharmacists' and physicians' insights, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams with physicians and pharmacists involved in a pharmacist-led deprescribing. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed abductively. A total of four pharmacists and four physicians from four health centres participated in this study. Pharmacist-led deprescribing was perceived as having positive outcomes and as being efficient, particularly in saving physicians' time and resources. Various patient-related facilitators and barriers were identified, with patient motivation and willingness being the most cited. Suggestions for improvement included establishing clear criteria for deprescribing, clarifying the roles in the process flow, providing enhanced deprescribing guidance and educational materials and enhancing the patient-centred approach by actively involving patients in the decision-making process and considering the patient's overall situation. Overall, the pharmacist-led model was seen as a promising and resource-efficient approach to deprescribing BZRDs in primary care health centres. (© 2025 The Author(s). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).) |
| References: | Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;73(8):927-935. (PMID: 28456823) Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 Oct;133(4):391-396. (PMID: 37732406) Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 Dec;133(6):718-728. (PMID: 37081726) Res Social Adm Pharm. 2019 Jul;15(7):873-882. (PMID: 30928317) Int J Qual Health Care. 2007 Dec;19(6):349-57. (PMID: 17872937) JAMA Psychiatry. 2015 Feb;72(2):136-42. (PMID: 25517224) Eur Geriatr Med. 2023 Aug;14(4):697-708. (PMID: 36576689) BMC Health Serv Res. 2015 Feb 21;15:71. (PMID: 25885110) Can Fam Physician. 2018 May;64(5):339-351. (PMID: 29760253) Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2012;2012:416864. (PMID: 22536226) Br J Gen Pract. 2019 Mar;69(680):152-153. (PMID: 30819759) J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 Jul;71(7):2052-2081. (PMID: 37139824) Psychiatr Serv. 2013 Apr 1;64(4):331-8. (PMID: 23242458) Implement Sci. 2022 Jul 8;17(1):41. (PMID: 35804428) Drugs Aging. 2003;20(11):833-9. (PMID: 12964889) J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023 Jan-Feb;63(1):241-251.e1. (PMID: 35718714) Metabolites. 2021 Apr 20;11(4):. (PMID: 33923956) PeerJ. 2018 Oct 08;6:e5535. (PMID: 30345166) Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021 Sep 23;15:2197-2208. (PMID: 34588769) Drugs Aging. 2018 Jun;35(6):493-521. (PMID: 29705831) Perm J. 2017 Apr 20;22:17-157. (PMID: 29702055) Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Sep 02;12:100328. (PMID: 37743854) Can Pharm J (Ott). 2021 Jun 11;154(4):278-284. (PMID: 34345321) J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Sep;34(9):1833-1840. (PMID: 31240606) Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2010 Jun;14(2):78-87. (PMID: 24922466) Int J Clin Pharm. 2022 Oct;44(5):1216-1221. (PMID: 35794285) Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Oct;78(4):738-47. (PMID: 24661192) Addiction. 2020 Sep;115(9):1618-1639. (PMID: 31985127) BMJ Open. 2017 May 4;7(4):e015959. (PMID: 28473524) J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023 Jan-Feb;63(1):409-415. (PMID: 36564330) Int J Clin Pharm. 2023 Oct;45(5):1037-1049. (PMID: 37713028) Health Expect. 2022 Feb;25(1):355-365. (PMID: 34862703) Acad Med. 2014 Sep;89(9):1245-51. (PMID: 24979285) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: benzodiazepines; benzodiazepine‐related drugs; deprescription; pharmacist‐led; primary care |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 12794-10-4 (Benzodiazepines) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250910 Date Completed: 20250915 Latest Revision: 20250915 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12421483 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/bcpt.70106 |
| PMID: | 40927911 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| FullText | Links: – Type: other Url: https://resolver.ebsco.com:443/public/rma-ftfapi/ejs/direct?AccessToken=4149BAD5B234CAE61245&Show=Object Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: cmedm DbLabel: MEDLINE An: 40927911 AccessLevel: 3 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Insights Into Pharmacist-Led Deprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Related Drugs: A Qualitative Study With Physicians and Pharmacists. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Korppas+M%22">Korppas M</searchLink>; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.; HUS Pharmacy, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Tiihonen+M%22">Tiihonen M</searchLink>; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Buch+Lund+M%22">Buch Lund M</searchLink>; Health and Social Services, Helsinki, Finland.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Kvarnström+K%22">Kvarnström K</searchLink>; HUS Pharmacy, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22101208422%22">Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology</searchLink> [Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol] 2025 Oct; Vol. 137 (4), pp. e70106. – Name: TypePub Label: Publication Type Group: TypPub Data: Journal Article – Name: Language Label: Language Group: Lang Data: English – Name: TitleSource Label: Journal Info Group: Src Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22Blackwell%22">Blackwell </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>England <i>NLM ID: </i>101208422 <i>Publication Model: </i>Print <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>1742-7843 (Electronic) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2217427835%22">17427835 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE – Name: PublisherInfo Label: Imprint Name(s) Group: PubInfo Data: <i>Publication</i>: <2005-> : Oxford : Blackwell<br /><i>Original Publication</i>: Copenhagen, Denmark : Oxford, UK : Nordic Pharmacological Society Distributed by Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004- – Name: SubjectMESH Label: MeSH Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Benzodiazepines%22">Benzodiazepines*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Benzodiazepines+administration+%26+dosage%22">administration & dosage</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Pharmacists%22">Pharmacists*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Pharmacists+psychology%22">psychology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Physicians%22">Physicians*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Physicians+psychology%22">psychology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Deprescriptions%22">Deprescriptions*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Pharmaceutical+Services%22">Pharmaceutical Services*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Interviews+as+Topic%22">Interviews as Topic</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Qualitative+Research%22">Qualitative Research</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Attitude+of+Health+Personnel%22">Attitude of Health Personnel</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Practice+Patterns%2C+Pharmacists'%22">Practice Patterns, Pharmacists'</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Professional+Role%22">Professional Role</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Male%22">Male</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Female%22">Female</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Adult%22">Adult</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Middle+Aged%22">Middle Aged</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: While deprescribing benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZRDs) is crucial for preventing prolonged use and their associated adverse effects, it presents challenges from a healthcare perspective, because of limited resources and time. Recently, a pharmacist-led deprescribing of BZRDs in the treatment of insomnia was introduced in Helsinki's primary care health centres. To explore pharmacists' and physicians' insights, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams with physicians and pharmacists involved in a pharmacist-led deprescribing. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed abductively. A total of four pharmacists and four physicians from four health centres participated in this study. Pharmacist-led deprescribing was perceived as having positive outcomes and as being efficient, particularly in saving physicians' time and resources. Various patient-related facilitators and barriers were identified, with patient motivation and willingness being the most cited. Suggestions for improvement included establishing clear criteria for deprescribing, clarifying the roles in the process flow, providing enhanced deprescribing guidance and educational materials and enhancing the patient-centred approach by actively involving patients in the decision-making process and considering the patient's overall situation. Overall, the pharmacist-led model was seen as a promising and resource-efficient approach to deprescribing BZRDs in primary care health centres.<br /> (© 2025 The Author(s). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).) – Name: Ref Label: References Group: RefInfo Data: Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;73(8):927-935. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2228456823%22">28456823)</searchLink><br />Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 Oct;133(4):391-396. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237732406%22">37732406)</searchLink><br />Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 Dec;133(6):718-728. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237081726%22">37081726)</searchLink><br />Res Social Adm Pharm. 2019 Jul;15(7):873-882. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2230928317%22">30928317)</searchLink><br />Int J Qual Health Care. 2007 Dec;19(6):349-57. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2217872937%22">17872937)</searchLink><br />JAMA Psychiatry. 2015 Feb;72(2):136-42. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2225517224%22">25517224)</searchLink><br />Eur Geriatr Med. 2023 Aug;14(4):697-708. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236576689%22">36576689)</searchLink><br />BMC Health Serv Res. 2015 Feb 21;15:71. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2225885110%22">25885110)</searchLink><br />Can Fam Physician. 2018 May;64(5):339-351. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2229760253%22">29760253)</searchLink><br />Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2012;2012:416864. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2222536226%22">22536226)</searchLink><br />Br J Gen Pract. 2019 Mar;69(680):152-153. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2230819759%22">30819759)</searchLink><br />J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 Jul;71(7):2052-2081. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237139824%22">37139824)</searchLink><br />Psychiatr Serv. 2013 Apr 1;64(4):331-8. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2223242458%22">23242458)</searchLink><br />Implement Sci. 2022 Jul 8;17(1):41. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235804428%22">35804428)</searchLink><br />Drugs Aging. 2003;20(11):833-9. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2212964889%22">12964889)</searchLink><br />J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023 Jan-Feb;63(1):241-251.e1. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235718714%22">35718714)</searchLink><br />Metabolites. 2021 Apr 20;11(4):. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233923956%22">33923956)</searchLink><br />PeerJ. 2018 Oct 08;6:e5535. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2230345166%22">30345166)</searchLink><br />Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021 Sep 23;15:2197-2208. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234588769%22">34588769)</searchLink><br />Drugs Aging. 2018 Jun;35(6):493-521. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2229705831%22">29705831)</searchLink><br />Perm J. 2017 Apr 20;22:17-157. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2229702055%22">29702055)</searchLink><br />Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Sep 02;12:100328. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237743854%22">37743854)</searchLink><br />Can Pharm J (Ott). 2021 Jun 11;154(4):278-284. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234345321%22">34345321)</searchLink><br />J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Sep;34(9):1833-1840. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2231240606%22">31240606)</searchLink><br />Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2010 Jun;14(2):78-87. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2224922466%22">24922466)</searchLink><br />Int J Clin Pharm. 2022 Oct;44(5):1216-1221. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235794285%22">35794285)</searchLink><br />Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Oct;78(4):738-47. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2224661192%22">24661192)</searchLink><br />Addiction. 2020 Sep;115(9):1618-1639. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2231985127%22">31985127)</searchLink><br />BMJ Open. 2017 May 4;7(4):e015959. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2228473524%22">28473524)</searchLink><br />J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023 Jan-Feb;63(1):409-415. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236564330%22">36564330)</searchLink><br />Int J Clin Pharm. 2023 Oct;45(5):1037-1049. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237713028%22">37713028)</searchLink><br />Health Expect. 2022 Feb;25(1):355-365. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234862703%22">34862703)</searchLink><br />Acad Med. 2014 Sep;89(9):1245-51. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2224979285%22">24979285)</searchLink> – Name: SubjectMinor Label: Contributed Indexing Group: Data: <i>Keywords: </i>benzodiazepines; benzodiazepine‐related drugs; deprescription; pharmacist‐led; primary care – Name: NumberCAS Label: Substance Nomenclature Group: ID Data: 12794-10-4 (Benzodiazepines) – Name: DateEntry Label: Entry Date(s) Group: Date Data: <i>Date Created: </i>20250910 <i>Date Completed: </i>20250915 <i>Latest Revision: </i>20250915 – Name: DateUpdate Label: Update Code Group: Date Data: 20260130 – Name: PubmedCentralID Label: PubMed Central ID Group: ID Data: PMC12421483 – Name: DOI Label: DOI Group: ID Data: 10.1111/bcpt.70106 – Name: AN Label: PMID Group: ID Data: 40927911 |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1111/bcpt.70106 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: StartPage: e70106 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Interviews as Topic Type: general – SubjectFull: Qualitative Research Type: general – SubjectFull: Humans Type: general – SubjectFull: Attitude of Health Personnel Type: general – SubjectFull: Practice Patterns, Pharmacists' Type: general – SubjectFull: Professional Role Type: general – SubjectFull: Male Type: general – SubjectFull: Female Type: general – SubjectFull: Adult Type: general – SubjectFull: Middle Aged Type: general – SubjectFull: Benzodiazepines administration & dosage Type: general – SubjectFull: Pharmacists psychology Type: general – SubjectFull: Physicians psychology Type: general – SubjectFull: Deprescriptions Type: general – SubjectFull: Pharmaceutical Services Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Insights Into Pharmacist-Led Deprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Related Drugs: A Qualitative Study With Physicians and Pharmacists. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Korppas M – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Tiihonen M – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Buch Lund M – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Kvarnström K IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 10 Text: 2025 Oct Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-electronic Value: 1742-7843 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 137 – Type: issue Value: 4 Titles: – TitleFull: Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology Type: main |
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