Scratching the itch of pruritus in older patients
| Sunday, May 31, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:40 AM |
Overview
Dr Brett MacFarlane
Details
Itch is common, distressing, and often overlooked in older people. This session will equip HMR‑accredited pharmacists with practical insights into the causes of itch in ageing, medicine‑related contributors, and evidence‑based management strategies to improve comfort, sleep, and quality of life in older patients.
Learning Objectives
- Classify chronic pruritus in older adults by aetiology and explain the pathophysiological mechanisms that make older community-dwelling patients particularly vulnerable
- Identify medicines implicated in chronic itch and support a structured medication review approach to detect drug-induced or drug-amplified pruritus in HMR polypharmacy patients
- Select evidence-based topical and oral treatment strategies for chronic pruritus in older patients, including when and how to recommend deprescribing as a therapeutic intervention
Competency Standards (2016): 3.1,3.5,3.6
Speaker
Dr Brett MacFarlane
Clinical Services Manager
Wesfarmers Health
Scratching the itch of pruritus in older patients
Biography
Dr Brett MacFarlane is a pharmacist, clinical educator, and Clinical Services Manager at Wesfarmers Health. Emeritus Fellow and former Chief Pharmacist of the Australasian College of Pharmacy, and member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Brett holds a PhD in skin science from the University of Queensland Medical School, where his research focused on transdermal drug delivery.
With over 30 years’ experience in community pharmacy, education, medical writing, public speaking, and podcasting, Brett is known for translating complex clinical evidence into engaging, actionable content. His areas of expertise include dermatology, gastrointestinal health, and pharmacy practice.
