Medication management service for people with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong: A descriptive analysis of prescribing patterns and pharmacists’ interventions.

Abstract

<p>A Pilot Project of Pharmacist Service for People with Intellectual Disabilities which launched by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHAHK) was initiated in September 2023. The project aimed at providing medication management services (MMS) for people with intellectual disabilities (PWID). This study describes the prescribing patterns among PWID receiving the MMS and summarizes the recommendations provided by pharmacists. Results indicate a high prescription rate of psychotropic medications, particularly antipsychotics (44.8%). The use of these medications poses significant health risks for PWID, including side effects and polypharmacy. Their use should be carefully monitored and reviewed regularly. Additionally, pharmacists made recommendations to address drug-related problems (DRPs), with the most common recommendation being the deprescribing of medications (44.2%).<br></p>