AI project to address over-prescribing in aged care

A Sydney researcher has received a $4.4 million grant for the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) medication management platform for aged care.

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has allocated $4,468,310 to Macquarie University's Dr Nasir Wabe and a team of Australian Institute of Health Innovation researchers to embark on a five-year project aimed at solving many of the health issues associated with the overprescription of medications for aged care residents.

Dr Wabe said the impact of regular medication reviews and deprescribing in aged care should not be underestimated.

Reviews and deprescribing have the potential to reduce harm as taking unnecessary medication can lead to adverse side effects including confusion and falls.

Deprescribing can also improve residents’ wellbeing, helping them to feel more alert and independent, which may result in an alignment of care with what matters most to the resident.

“Despite these benefits, deprescribing isn’t common practice, often because of hesitation from prescribers, lack of clear guidelines, or limited communication between the care team,” Dr Wabe explains.

“We see AI as a powerful support tool – not something to replace healthcare workers, but something that helps them make better, faster decisions.”

The project will centre on building a new digital tool called AiCT-Med that uses AI to help identify which medicines might be inappropriate for individuals living in residential aged care and support safer ways to reduce them when no longer needed.

Initial research found four key issues with the current models of medication management in Australian residential aged care settings:

• Polypharmacy (too many medicines): Nearly half of residents take 10 or more medicines daily. This increases their risk of side effects, falls, and hospital visits.
• Potentially inappropriate medications: More than 50 per cent of residents are on medicines that may no longer be suitable for their age or health condition.
• Lack of coordination: Decisions around medicines often don’t involve all the key people – GPs, pharmacists, nurses, and family members – leading to gaps in care.
• One-size-fits-all approach: Medication plans are not always personalised to match each resident’s needs, preferences, or goals of care.

“As people get older, their bodies and health needs change. Medicines that were once helpful might stop working or even start causing harm. Deprescribing can make a big difference,” Dr Wabe said.

“AI has the potential to lift the standard of care in a way that’s efficient, consistent, and focused on the individual, especially in settings like aged care where time and resources are often limited.”

Over the next five years the team will develop the tool, run a national trial to extrapolate whether AiCT-Med can improve the health and wellbeing of residents while also reducing costs for providers, and ultimately create simple, easy-to-use resources to support widespread adoption of this approach in aged care homes across Australia.

“What sets this project apart is the strong partnerships we have built – from aged care providers, electronic vendors to professional groups and consumer representatives,” Dr Wabe said.

“We are also committed to making this solution inclusive, especially for people living in rural or remote areas and those with complex health conditions, who often don’t get the tailored care they need.

“In short, this is about smarter use of technology to support better care, ensuring that every older person in aged care receives the safest, most appropriate medications for their needs.”