ABOUT THE NETWORK

The Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network is a group of clinicians, educators, people with lived experience, policymakers, and researchers. We work together to produce, share, and apply information to promote the safe and appropriate use of medications.

Medications can be helpful in many different ways. They can also cause harm. Medication overload (also known as polypharmacy) means using one or more medications for which the risk of harm outweighs the potential for benefit. We know medication overload can cause problems with memory, falls, hospitalizations, loss of independence, and death. Despite the risks, medication overload is on the rise in Canada. Currently, two-thirds of Canadians over age 65 take 5 or more prescription medications. Older adults, women, and people with low income are at greatest risk of medication overload.

Yet, this doesn’t need to be the case. The Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network is devoted to ensuring our medications help us. Our goals are: 1) to promote the safe and appropriate use of medications; and 2) to ensure access to safer drug and non-drug alternatives to risky medications. How do we do this? We develop and share evidence-based tools for the public, healthcare professionals, students, and researchers so that Canadians can make informed decisions about their medications. This, to prevent harm and promote well-being.