Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled studies were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies in which a pharmacist participated in the drug therapy were eligible for inclusion. The interventions included: a team including a pharmacist reviewing the medication of patients together; a pharmacist reviewing the medication of patients; pharmacists making recommendations to physicians and patients; pharmacists interviewing patients and discussing changes in medication with the physician; and clinical pharmacists prescribing medications.
Participants included in the review
Studies of elderly people, or where results for the elderly participants were reported separately, were eligible for inclusion. The participants of the included studies were either out-patients or nursing home residents, or were hospitalised.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies reporting the change in the number of medications taken by the elderly were included in the review.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.