ArzneimitteltherapieManagement

Arzneimitteltherapie-Management, or pharmacotherapy management, denotes a coordinated, patient-centered process to optimize medication therapy across the care continuum. Its aim is to maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing adverse effects, interactions, and treatment burden. The approach considers patient-specific factors such as age, organ function, comorbidities, and concomitant medications, and aligns with clinical guidelines and patient preferences.

Key activities include medication reconciliation at transitions of care, development of an individualized therapy plan, dose optimization and route selection, monitoring of efficacy and safety, and adherence support. Risk assessment for polypharmacy and potential drug–drug or drug–disease interactions is routine, with adjustments made as needed. The process also encompasses deprescribing when appropriate and ongoing evaluation of treatment goals.

Pharmacotherapy management relies on interdisciplinary collaboration, often led by a pharmacist in concert with physicians, nurses, and primary care teams. Tools such as electronic health records, clinical decision support, and validated guidelines support decision making. Pharmacovigilance and adverse drug event reporting remain integral components of the practice.

Outcomes include improved symptom control, reduced adverse events and hospitalizations, better adherence, and informed shared decision making. Challenges include data fragmentation, complexity of regimens, patient education, and balancing the reduction of medications with maintaining disease control. The approach applies across settings and populations, including older adults with polypharmacy, patients with organ impairment, and individuals transitioning between inpatient and outpatient care.