Skip to Main Content
The first stop for professional medicines advice

SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: diabetes focus

Event 10 February 2026Location Online via Webex 13:00 - 14:00
Topics: DiabetesPast EventsPrimary Care

Consultant pharmacists used a case study to illustrate a patient centred approach to SMRs for patients with diabetes.

Contents

  1. Date
  2. Location
  3. About the event
    1. Why it’s important
    2. What was covered
  5. Speakers
    1. Non-SPS speakers
    2. SPS Speakers
  7. Resources
  8. Contact us
  9. Update history

Date

10 February 2026

Location

Online via Webex 13:00 - 14:00

About the event

A facilitated case-based discussion about the complexities of managing problematic polypharmacy and deprescribing in patients with diabetes. 

This was a follow on from the polypharmacy webinar series, which lays the foundations of some of the deprescribing tools available and features a generalist case study.

Why it’s important

The National Overprescribing review highlighted that 10% of medicines prescribed in primary care may be inappropriate and those taking 10 or more medicines are 300 times more likely to have a drug related hospital admission, highlighting the importance of deprescribing.  

Structured medication reviews (SMRs) improve medication adherence, reduce unnecessary prescriptions, and optimise patient outcomes in diabetes care. By reviewing patient experience, symptoms and medication use, healthcare professionals can minimise risk of harm, limit side effects, and prevent poor health outcomes. This approach ensures that treatments remain appropriate and effective for better management of diabetes conditions and enhanced quality of life. 

What was covered

  • Case-based discussion about undertaking an SMR in a patient with polypharmacy with a focus on diabetes 
  • Insight into a person-centred approach to deprescribing and optimising medicines outcomes for patients with problematic polypharmacy 
  • Discussion about the challenges that professionals commonly encounter in relation to deprescribing for patients with diabetes

Speakers

A range of speakers from SPS and external organisations helped to facilitate this event.

Non-SPS speakers

Anna Hodgkinson

Consultant Pharmacist, Diabetes, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

SPS Speakers

Resources

All of our polypharmacy webinar recordings can be found on the SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: case based discussions webpage. Information presented in these resources is correct at time of recording. Current guidance should be followed.

Contact us

Please contact the admin team if you have any questions.

Update history

  1. Changed advert wording to past tense, advert to past events, removed registration blocked. Link to recording page added.
  1. Published