Step 3: Does the patient take unnecessary drug therapy?

Identify and review the (continued) need for drugs:

• With temporary indications
• With higher than usual maintenance doses
• With limited benefit in general for the indication they are used for
• With limited benefit in the patient under review (see Drug efficacy (NNT) table)

• For the remaining drugs, it should be verified that each has a function in achieving the therapeutic goals or outcomes that matter most to the patient
• Review preventative treatment to ensure the patient is able to continue taking medicine for required time to gain benefit (Drug Efficacy (NNT) table).
• Can lifestyle changes replace any unnecessary drug therapy?