Inappropriate medications among end-of-life patients living at home: an Italian observational study

Key summary points Aim To determine the use of preventive and symptomatic medications in a sample of end-of-life patients living at home. Findings Palliative care physicians can improve the appropriate use of medications for patients living at home, but more than half still receive avoidable medications. Drugs for peptic ulcer and antithrombotics were the preventive medications most frequently prescribed. Message This study supports the need for an appropriate drug review and de-prescribing in this vulnerable population, because unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing has no additional therapeutic benefit and only raises costs.