Overview
Background
Dr Shakti Shrestha is Deputy Director of Research and Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice and Medicines Management at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Queensland (UQ). His research program focuses on optimising medication use in older people and those with life‑limiting illness, with particular interests in deprescribing, medication safety, dementia and palliative care, quality use of medicines, and the implementation of evidence into practice.
Shakti conceived and co‑led the development of De‑TOPPLE, a deprescribing decision‑support framework designed to improve medication optimisation for older adults with limited life expectancy. He also served as a Research Fellow and Queensland site coordinator for the MRFF‑funded EMBRACE trial, evaluating strategies to enhance the implementation of evidence‑based psychotropic prescribing recommendations in Australian residential aged care. His broader research spans medicines optimisation, medication‑related quality of life, pharmacy practice, health services research, and implementation science, forming a coherent program aimed at reducing medication‑related harm and improving care outcomes for older populations, particularly those with palliative care needs.
He has published widely across ageing, medication safety, deprescribing and pharmacy practice, and received the 2025 Best Publication by an Early Career Researcher Award from the UQ School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He supervises PhD, postgraduate and undergraduate research projects in medicines optimisation, polypharmacy, deprescribing and medication use in older populations, integrating his research expertise into teaching and research training.
Shakti’s academic and research work is informed by extensive experience across pharmacy practice, clinical research, residential aged care and higher education in Australia, the United Kingdom and Nepal. He was awarded the 2018 Australian Research Training Scholarship for his PhD in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice at UQ and the 2022 Career Development Scholarship, through which he gained further clinical trail experience across Queensland Hospital and Health Services. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacology with Distinction from the University of Aberdeen (UK), and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences with Distinction from Pokhara University (Nepal). During his Master's training in the UK, he gained research experience working with SITS-ISTR (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry) data within NHS Grampian.
Availability
- Dr Shakti Shrestha is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pokhara University
- Masters (Coursework) of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen
- Doctor of Philosophy of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Quality Use of Medicines
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Medication optimisation / Deprescribing
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Older adults
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Palliative care
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Dementia
Research impacts
Shakti’s research on deprescribing and medication optimisation has informed clinical guidance, professional education, research tools and implementation approaches for older people with life-limiting illness.
His evidence syntheses on deprescribing have been used beyond academic publication. They have informed a Choosing Wisely Italy recommendation on lipid-lowering therapy in people with limited life expectancy, contributed to the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Making Healthcare Safer IV review, and been incorporated into CareSearch evidence collections supporting palliative-care practice. His work has also been selected by the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (BMJ) to inform practical evidence summaries for healthcare professionals.
Shakti conceived and co-led the development of De-TOPPLE, a person-centred deprescribing framework for older people with limited life expectancy. The framework has been incorporated into professional education, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s continuing pharmacy education and hospital-pharmacy education in Spain. He also developed the HATD tool, a validated measure of healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards deprescribing. The tool has been requested for translation and use by researchers internationally and is being used in subsequent intervention research.
Through the MRFF-funded EMBRACE trial, Shakti led implementation research examining how evidence-based recommendations for psychotropic medicine use can be translated into Australian residential aged care. His work with residents, family members and multidisciplinary health professionals identified practical strategies to address barriers to guideline implementation and quality improvement. This research has also been featured in Advanced Pharmacy Australia’s MedsScan, extending its reach to pharmacy professionals and aged-care practice.
Works
Search Professor Shakti Shrestha’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Deprescribing Tool for Older PeoPle with Limited‐life Expectancy (De‐TOPPLE) version 1: development and validation using a modified Delphi technique
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2023). Deprescribing Tool for Older PeoPle with Limited‐life Expectancy (De‐TOPPLE) version 1: development and validation using a modified Delphi technique. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, 134 (1), 15-27. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.13907
2023
Journal Article
Clinical profile and knowledge, attitude and practice of patients presenting with headache
Ghimire, M. R., Thapa, M., Shrestha, A. M., Bhattrai, S., Ghimire, S., Sharma, N., Soti, B., Dutta, A., Shrestha, S., Pokhare, M., Poudel, R. and Thapa, L. J. (2023). Clinical profile and knowledge, attitude and practice of patients presenting with headache. Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 21 (82), 190-196.
2023
Other Outputs
Optimising medication use in older adults with limited life expectancy
Shrestha, Shakti (2023). Optimising medication use in older adults with limited life expectancy. PhD Thesis, School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/8d8ed8d
2023
Journal Article
A systematic review on methods for developing and validating deprescribing tools for older adults with limited life expectancy
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Forough, Ayda S., Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2023). A systematic review on methods for developing and validating deprescribing tools for older adults with limited life expectancy. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 31 (1), 3-14. doi: 10.1093/ijpp/riac094
2022
Journal Article
Inhaler competence in Nepalese patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmunory disease: a systematic review
Sharma Poudel, Ramesh, Shrestha, Shakti, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Lamichhane, Praves, Karki, Sharad, Maskey, Dipesh and Adhikari, Shital (2022). Inhaler competence in Nepalese patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmunory disease: a systematic review. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 20 (2), 279-288. doi: 10.33314/jnhrc.v20i02.4113
2022
Conference Publication
Development and validation of a deprescribing decision aid tool for use in older adults with limited life expectancy using a modified Delphi technique
Shrestha, S., Poudel, A., Steadman, K. J. and Nissen, L. M. (2022). Development and validation of a deprescribing decision aid tool for use in older adults with limited life expectancy using a modified Delphi technique. 1st International Conference on Deprescribing, Kolding, Denmark, 5-7 September 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Psychosocial Well-Being of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Chitwan District, Nepal: a Mixed Method Study
Khatiwada, Dipendra, Baral, Rojina, Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Ramesh Sharma and Chalise, Hari Prasad (2022). Psychosocial Well-Being of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Chitwan District, Nepal: a Mixed Method Study. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 20 (1), 115-123. doi: 10.33314/jnhrc.v20i01.3993
2022
Journal Article
Development and validation of a tool to understand health care professionals' attitudes towards deprescribing (HATD) in older adults with limited life expectancy
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Reeve, Emily, Linsky, Amy M., Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2022). Development and validation of a tool to understand health care professionals' attitudes towards deprescribing (HATD) in older adults with limited life expectancy. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 18 (9), 3596-3601. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.03.002
2022
Journal Article
Impact of hospital pharmacist-delivered individualised pharmaceutical service intervention on clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients with hypertension: a randomised controlled trial
Paudel, Nabina, Shrestha, Shakti, Marasine, Nirmal Raj, Khanal, Pitambar, Aryal, Sushant, Erku, Daniel and Poudel, Arjun (2022). Impact of hospital pharmacist-delivered individualised pharmaceutical service intervention on clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients with hypertension: a randomised controlled trial. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 30 (6) 002512, ejhpharm-2020. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-002512
2022
Journal Article
Impact of albendazole therapy on clinical and radiological outcomes at one month in patients with active solitary neurocysticercosis patients
Bhattarai, S., Thapa, L., Maharjan, A. M.S., Shrestha, A. M., Shrestha, S., Ghimire, M. R., Upadhyaya, S. and Thapa, M. (2022). Impact of albendazole therapy on clinical and radiological outcomes at one month in patients with active solitary neurocysticercosis patients. Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 20 (77), 61-65.
2021
Conference Publication
Stakeholders' attitudes towards deprescribing in older adults with a limited life expectancy: a tool development study
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Reeve, Emily, Linsky, Amy M., Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2021). Stakeholders' attitudes towards deprescribing in older adults with a limited life expectancy: a tool development study. 54th Australian Association of Gerontology Conference, Virtual, 9-12 November 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription by community pharmacies in Nepal: A call for action
Poudel, Ramesh Sharma, Shrestha, Shakti and Adhikari, Shital (2021). Dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription by community pharmacies in Nepal: A call for action. Public Health in Practice, 2 100117, 100117. doi: 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100117
2021
Journal Article
Antibiotic utilization, sensitivity, and cost in the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal
Marasine, Nirmal Raj, Shrestha, Shakti, Sankhi, Sabina, Paudel, Nabina, Gautam, Ashish and Poudel, Arjun (2021). Antibiotic utilization, sensitivity, and cost in the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal. Sage Open Medicine, 9 20503121211043710, 205031212110437. doi: 10.1177/20503121211043710
2021
Journal Article
Cost-Effectiveness of Medicinal Cannabis for Management of Refractory Symptoms Associated With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations
Erku, Daniel, Shrestha, Shakti and Scuffham, Paul (2021). Cost-Effectiveness of Medicinal Cannabis for Management of Refractory Symptoms Associated With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations. Value in Health, 24 (10), 1520-1530. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2021.04.1276
2021
Journal Article
Does the content and source credibility of health and risk messages related to nicotine vaping products have an impact on harm perception and behavioural intentions? A systematic review
Erku, Daniel A., Bauld, Linda, Dawkins, Lynne, Gartner, Coral E., Steadman, Kathryn J., Noar, Seth M., Shrestha, Shakti and Morphett, Kylie (2021). Does the content and source credibility of health and risk messages related to nicotine vaping products have an impact on harm perception and behavioural intentions? A systematic review. Addiction, 116 (12), 3290-3303. doi: 10.1111/add.15473
2021
Journal Article
Deprescribing tool for use in older Australians with life-limiting illnesses and limited life expectancy: a modified-Delphi study protocol
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2021). Deprescribing tool for use in older Australians with life-limiting illnesses and limited life expectancy: a modified-Delphi study protocol. BMJ Open, 11 (4) e043766, 1-5. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043766
2021
Journal Article
Prevalence of stroke and stroke risk factors in a south-western community of Nepal
Thapa, Lekhjung, Shrestha, Shakti, Kandu, Rashmi, Ghimire, Mahesh Raj, Ghimire, Sulochana, Chaudhary, Navin Kumar, Pahari, Bishnu, Bhattarai, Suman, Kharel, Ghanshyam, Paudel, Raju, Jalan, Pankaj, Chandra, Avinash, Phuyal, Subash, Adhikari, Bhojraj, Aryal, Nirmal and Kurmi, Om P. (2021). Prevalence of stroke and stroke risk factors in a south-western community of Nepal. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 30 (5) 105716, 105716. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.105716
2021
Journal Article
Impact of deprescribing dual-purpose medications on patient-related outcomes for older adults near end-of-life: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Cardona, Magnolia, Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2021). Impact of deprescribing dual-purpose medications on patient-related outcomes for older adults near end-of-life: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 12 204209862110523, 204209862110523. doi: 10.1177/20420986211052343
2021
Conference Publication
Attitude of Australian doctors, nurses and pharmacists towards deprescribing in older adults with limited life expectancy
Shrestha, Shakti, Poudel, Arjun, Reeve, Emily, Linsky, Amy M., Steadman, Kathryn J. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2021). Attitude of Australian doctors, nurses and pharmacists towards deprescribing in older adults with limited life expectancy. APSA 2021 Annual Conference: Pharmacy and pharmaceutical science: rising to the global challenges before us, Online, 6 - 8 December 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Attitudes of ambulatory care older Nepalese patients towards deprescribing and predictors of their willingness to deprescribe
Shrestha, Shakti, Giri, Roshan, Sapkota, Hari Prasad, Danai, Siddhartha Sharma, Saleem, Ahsan, Devkota, Shreeshab, Shrestha, Sagar, Adhikari, Bhojraj and Poudel, Arjun (2021). Attitudes of ambulatory care older Nepalese patients towards deprescribing and predictors of their willingness to deprescribe. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 12 20420986211019309, 204209862110193. doi: 10.1177/20420986211019309
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Shakti Shrestha is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimising Medication Use in Older Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Esther Lau, Dr Wubshet Tesfaye
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing adherence in people at high risk of chronic kidney disease: Integrating AI technology with a pharmacist-led adherence-intensive review
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam La Caze, Dr Meng-Wong Taing, Dr Jared Miles, Dr Wubshet Tesfaye
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing adherence in people at high risk of kidney disease: Leveraging an artificial intelligence(AI)-supported technology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam La Caze, Dr Wubshet Tesfaye
Media
Enquiries
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