Table 3 Comparison of prevalence rates of PIM among the control and intervention groups

 “Any duplicate drug class prescription”

2 (0.8)

0

 “Aspirin plus clopidogrel as secondary stroke prevention, unless the patient has a coronary stent(s) inserted in the previous 12 months or concurrent acute coronary syndrome or has a high grade symptomatic carotid arterial stenosis”

3 (1.3)

0

 “Aspirin in combination with vitamin K antagonist, direct thrombin inhibitor or factor Xa inhibitors in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation”

1 (0.4)

0

 “Ticlopidine in any circumstances”

5 (2.1)

7 (2.9)

  “First-generation antihistamines”

1 (0.4)

1 (0.4)

  “NSAID’s if eGFR < 50 ml/min/1.73m²”

1 (0.4)

1 (0.4)

  “Metformin if eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m²”

6 (2.5)

4 (1.7)

  “Drugs likely to cause constipation in patients with chronic constipation where non-constipating alternatives are available”

1 (0.4)

0

  “Proton pump inhibitor for uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease or erosive peptic oesophagitis at full therapeutic dosage for > 8 weeks”

14 (5.8)

13 (5.4)

  “Anti-muscarinic bronchodilators with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma or bladder outflow”

2 (0.8)

0

  “Long-term NSAID or colchicine (> 3 months) for chronic treatment of gout where there is no contraindication to a xanthine-oxidase inhibitor”

2 (0.8)

1 (0.4)

  “Sulphonylureas with a long duration of action with type 2 diabetes mellitus”

1 (0.4)

0

  “Beta-blockers in diabetes mellitus with frequent hypoglycaemic episodes”

10 (4.2)

4 (1.7)

  “Vasodilator drugs with persistent postural hypotension”

23 (9.6)

24 (10%)

  “Use of regular opioids without concomitant laxative”

0

4 (1.7)