RPS launching new e-learning module to tackle polypharmacy and drug interactions
Published: 23 September 2025
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Launching in October 2025, the course ‘Managing Polypharmacy and CYP3A Drug Interactions’ addresses a key gap in training for prescribers across the UK. It focuses on drug interactions involving CYP3A enzyme system – responsible for metabolising many commonly prescribed medicines- and is especially important for treating patients with multiple long-term conditions.
Polypharmacy, defined as taking five or more medicines, now affects around 15% of the UK population and is especially common among older adults. While often essential, polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug interactions – yet many prescribers receive limited training in this area.
The three-hour, flexible online module includes:
- Short explainer videos and expert podcasts
- Interactive case studies across key specialities (e.g. oncology, infectious disease, respiratory, cardiology)
- Patient interviews
- Content on emerging tools such as pharmacogenomics and AI in prescribing.
The module will be available through both RPS Learn and EL Healthcare Education’s ELELearn platform. It supports national efforts to improve medication safety and is designed for pharmacists, GPs, nurse prescribers and wider multidisciplinary teams across primary and secondary care.
Helen Chang, Head of Professional Development at RPS, said:
“This module supports our commitment to safer, person-centred care by helping prescribers manage the risks of polypharmacy more effectively. As treatments become increasingly complex, it’s vital healthcare professionals feel confident identifying and managing drug interactions. We’re proud to be working with EL Healthcare Education to provide practical tools and expert insights to support safer prescribing decisions across the healthcare system.”
Lizzie Mills, Co-Founder at EL Healthcare Education, said:
“This module is designed to give prescribers the practical knowledge and confidence to identify and manage high-risk drug interactions. We’re proud to be working with RPS and leading clinical experts to equip frontline teams with the tools they need to keep patients safe.”
Financial support was provided as a Medical Education Grant from Pfizer International LLC. Pfizer have provided only financial support and have no input into the content provided.
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