Medication management in long-term care: Using evidence generated from real-world data to effect policy change in the Australian setting

Older individuals residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are often living with multimorbidity and exposed to polypharmacy, and many experience medication-related problems. Because randomized controlled trials seldom include individuals in LTCFs, pharmacoepidemiological studies using real-world data are essential sources of new knowledge on the utilization, safety, and effectiveness of pharmacotherapies and related health outcomes in this population. In this commentary, we discuss recent pharmacoepidemiological research undertaken to support the investigations and recommendations of a landmark public inquiry into the quality and safety of care provided in the approximately 3000 Australian LTCFs that house more than 240 000 residents annually, which informed subsequent national medication-related policy reforms. Suitable sources of real-world data for pharmacoepidemiological studies in long-term care cohorts and methodological considerations are also discussed. This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.