This presentation aims to provide the health care professional with the principles of rational prescribing and dispensing of benzodiazepines and z-drugs, as well as recommendations of best practice for tapering and discontinuation of these medicines when applicable.

Debbie Rigby is an Advanced Practice Pharmacist with postgraduate qualifications in clinical pharmacy, geriatrics and respiratory medicine. Her special interests include geriatrics, medication reviews, deprescribing, respiratory disease, communication and health behaviour change, and medicines information. Debbie’s career as a pharmacist has been across many roles, including community and hospital pharmacy, academia, education, policy and advocacy, government and committee representation. She currently conducts Home Medicine Reviews and provides medicines education to pharmacists, nurse practitioners, GPs and other health professionals through her company Pharmeducation.