A tool to safely reduce unnecessary medicines for older adults in India
Development and Validation of a Deprescribing Tool Relevant to the Indian Context and Evaluation of Its Effectiveness in Reducing Inappropriate Polypharmacy in the Elderly
This project will test whether a tool used by doctors can reduce prescriptions of potentially inappropriate medicines for people aged 60 and older in India.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1650 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Indian Council of Medical Research Government |
| Locations | 2 sites (Bangalore, Karnataka and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07114094 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will develop and validate a deprescribing tool tailored to the Indian context and then implement it at multiple centers. Participating physicians will be randomized to either use the tool (intervention) or continue usual care (control), while their patients receive routine outpatient consultations. The main outcome is the change in the proportion of prescriptions that include at least one potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). The study also includes qualitative work to identify barriers and facilitators to using the tool in practice.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 60 or older who visit the General Medicine or Community and Family Medicine outpatient clinics at participating sites, especially those taking multiple medications.
Not a fit: People who do not visit participating physicians, are not taking potentially inappropriate or multiple medications, or are unwilling to have medication changes are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could lower the use of risky or unnecessary medications among older adults, reducing adverse effects, drug interactions, and medication costs.
How similar studies have performed: International deprescribing tools have shown improvements in prescription quality, but a tool specifically adapted and validated for the Indian medication landscape and care practices is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Elderly patients (≥ 60 years) of either sex, visiting the General Medicine/ Community and Family Medicine OPD of the study sites Exclusion Criteria: * Patients not willing to participate in the study
Where this trial is running
Bangalore, Karnataka and 1 other locations
- St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India — Bangalore, Karnataka, India (Recruiting)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal — Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ratinder Jhaj, DM
- Email: rati.pharm@aiimsbhopal.edu.in
- Phone: +917773002096
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.