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A Look Back on the International Conference on Deprescribing 2026

From April 27 to 29th 2026, the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network and the US Deprescribing Research Network co-hosted the third edition of International Conference on Deprescribing (ICOD) 2026 in Montréal, Canada. This third edition of ICOD follows two previous editions: the first conference was held in Kolding, Denmark, in 2022, followed by ICOD2 in Nantes, France, in 2024.

At ICOD, researchers, clinicians, public members, patient advocates, students, policy makers, health and community organisation representatives gathered to connect, share and learn from one another. The conference not only showcased the latest research in medication appropriateness and deprescribing, but also offered a variety of panels, workshops and moderated discussions about implementation of best clinical practice, collaborations with public members, innovations in health care, and more! 

This page presents a summary of ICOD through a selection of highlights. Through these reflections, we hope to convey the remarkable energy and shared passion of attendees working to improve medication use around the world.

Conference Aim and Objectives

Aim statement

ICOD aimed to create opportunities for researchers, clinicians, educators, policy makers and the public to work collaboratively and internationally to optimize medication appropriateness and facilitate deprescribing.

Objectives

ICOD had the following objectives:

  • Attract and assemble deprescribing and medication appropriateness researchers, clinicians, educators, policy makers and members of the public from around the world

  • Engage trainees and early career researchers through active participation and mentorship

  • Facilitate networking and collaboration to build relationships and foster partnerships

  • Share the latest deprescribing and medication appropriateness research, education and policy approaches

  • Engage with new partners to expand the interprofessional and international horizon for deprescribing and medication appropriateness

International and Diverse Attendance

Over 260 participants attended ICOD 2026. Participants from each corner of the world traveled to Montreal to attend the conference, flying in from Australia, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Peru, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more!

ICOD 2026 showcased a broad scope of deprescribing research and continues to bring together perspectives from healthcare professionals, students, policy makers, and members of the public. We were overjoyed to see the diversity of roles in attendance at the conference: a testament of the many groups involved in improving medication use!

Patient advocates and community organizers at ICOD. From left to right: Laurent Dupuis, Johanna Trimble, Kenneth Fung (below), Louisette Hinton, Nira Lalji (below), Leslie Gaudette, Jo-Anna Armocida, Bill Berryman, Isra Amsdr.

*Countries represented (in alphabetical order): Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland
**Countries represented (in alphabetical order): China, Japan, Peru

ICOD Participant Profiles:
Key Stats and Numbers

Connecting Early Career Researchers

ICOD 2026 kicked off with a half-day of pre-conference workshops and events, including and Early Career Investigator Meeting organised by the US Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN), dedicated to supporting the next generation of deprescribing researchers. The session brought together PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, early-career faculty, and trainees from across professions and countries for an afternoon focused on career development, mentorship, and support.

USDeN Early Career Investigator meeting organizers and participants

Through a moderated panel discussion, networking activities, and informal conversations with senior faculty and peers, participants explored the challenges and opportunities of building a career in deprescribing research, fostering international collaboration and new connections that will undoubtedly strengthen the future of the field.

Moderated panel discussion and group discussions during the USDeN Early Career Investigator Meeting.

Honouring Indigenous Voices and Perspectives

In Canada, ongoing efforts are underway to advance truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples across the land, in recognition of its historic and systemic injustices towards these communities. Taking place in Montréal (Tiohtià:ke), the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation and a place of gathering and exchange for many First Nations, this 3rd edition of ICOD officially kicked off with a traditional Kanien’kehá:ka opening address, led by Elder Otsi’tsaken:ra (Charlie Patton), faithkeeper of Kahnawà:ke.

Elder Otsi’tsaken:ra (Charlie Patton) giving a traditional opening address.

Elder Charlie shared a traditional story both in Kanien'kéha (the language spoken in Mohawk communities) and English, using vivid imagery to illustrate our connection to the Earth, and encouraging us to reflect on its essential role in supporting our health. His address helped set a thoughtful tone for the 3-day conference, grounding participants in the importance of building respectful and reciprocal partnerships across communities and ways of knowing.

Inspiring and Thought-Provoking Sessions

This year’s keynote and plenary sessions brought together leading voices in medication appropriateness and deprescribing research, communication, innovation, and lived experience. Speakers explored strategies to promote person-centred clinical practices, as well as approaches for communicating with impact and relevance to public audiences.

Journalist André Picard reflected on how to communicate the deprescribing message to the public

Panelists on deprescribing guidelines. Left to right: Emily Reeve, Wade Thompson, Lisa McCarthy

There was a consistent thread around the complexity of communicating, implementing and innovating medication appropriateness and deprescribing strategies - on a personal, clinical, or system level. Sessions reflected the breadth and momentum of the field, while also highlighting opportunities to improve practices and research, with AI innovation, person-centred research and practices, leaving attendees energized to drive change in their own contexts.

Ross Upshur and Caroline McCarthy during a fireside chat exploring the lived experience of a clinician researcher with polypharmacy

Clare Howard providing the closing keynote

Interactive Workshops and Moderated Discussions

ICOD 2026's interactive workshops and moderated discussions gave attendees the space to brainstorm and apply novel approaches to the real-world challenges of deprescribing.

Participants engaging in a moderated lunch discussion.

Participants attending an interactive workshop.

Workshops facilitated in-depth research discussions, digging into different methodologies, approached and measurable outcomes in deprescribing research.

Small-group moderated discussions were also held during lunch breaks, allowing for candid exchange on topics ranging from implementation science, study recruitment, and target trial emulation, to patient education, non-pharmacological approaches to mental health, and emerging models of deprescribing practice.

For many attendees, these interactive formats were the highlight of the conference, allowing for meaningful connections between attendees and nurturing collaboration.

Emerging Findings in Deprescribing Research

ICOD 2026 offered a rich showcase of deprescribing research from around the world. Early-career and established researchers alike shared their latest work through scientific abstracts, poster presentations, and panels, spanning topics from novel deprescribing tools and real-world interventions, to adverse drug withdrawal events and medication use in specific populations.

Shin Liau presenting findings.

Emily Reeve moderating a panel on adverse drug withdrawal effects.

Participants connecting and visiting scientific posters during morning and afternoon breaks.

Trainee oral and poster presentations were also evaluated by a dedicated jury to select the recipients of Research Excellence Awards, in recognition of their exceptional work! ICOD participants got a chance to vote for their favourite posters to identify the recipients of the People’s Choice Award on days 2 and 3 of the conference. The winners of these awards are:

Trainee Oral Presentation Awards:

  • Gold: Anna Seeley, University of Oxford

  • Silver: Peter Stuijt, University of Groningen

Trainee Scientific Poster Awards:

  • Gold: Sunu Kim, University of British Columbia

  • Silver: Bocheng Jing, Stanford University

  • Bronze: Jung Yin Tsang, University of Manchester

  • Honourable Mentions: Pierre-Olivier Couture, Dalhousie University; Aisling McEvoy, Monash University

People’s Choice Poster Awards:

  • Day 1: Anna Birna Almarsdottir, University of Copenhagen

  • Day 2: Eloise Radcliffe, University of Southampton

Trainee Oral Presentation Award recipients and organizers. Left to right: Emily McDonald (organizer), Lisa McCarthy (organizer), Anna Seeley, Peter Stuijt, Justin Lee (organizer).

Trainee Scientific Poster Award recipients and organizers. Left to right: Pierre-Olivier Couture, Justin Lee (organizer), Lisa McCarthy (organizer), Bocheng Jing, Jung Yin Tsang, Aisling McEvoy, Emily McDonald (organizer)

People’s Choice Poster Award recipients and organizers. Left to right: Justin Lee (organizer), Eloise Radcliffe, Sigurbjörg Sæunn Guðmundsdóttir accepting certificate on behalf of Anna Birna Almarsdottir, Lisa McCarthy (organizer), Emily McDonald (organizer)

Together, these contributions painted a vivid picture of a maturing field of research that continues to grow, and that is driven by a shared commitment to improving patient care.

Fostering Connection, Collaboration and Continued Momentum

Beyond the sessions, ICOD 2026 was defined by participants’ energy and enthusiasm throughout the 3-day event. Participants took advantage of breaks to visit exhibitor booths by Canada’s Drug Agency, Regroupement des ressources alternatives en santé mentale du Québec (RRASMQ), RxFiles, Sleepwell, tapercurves.info, the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, and Vigilance Santé discovering new tools and resources to promote medication appropriateness and deprescribing among healthcare professionals and public members.

Participants describe a conference that felt as much like a reunion as a scientific meeting! Hallway conversations turned into collaborations, shared meals became brainstorming sessions, and a sense of community was felt at every moment.

Participants mingling during sessions, breaks and at exhibitor booths.

The diversity of perspectives only strengthened the collective sentiment that deprescribing matters for everyone, regardless of age, community, country, or role. Participants left inspired, carrying with them new partnerships, renewed purpose, and a shared momentum to promote medication appropriateness and deprescribing back home. We are already looking forward to reconnecting at future events!

Thank You to our Funders

Thank you to Canada’s Drug Agency, whose financial contributions made this event possible.

Additional thanks to (in alphabetical order) Accelerating Clinical Trials, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Centre de recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, the McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, the Michel Saucier Chair in Pharmacy, Health and Aging, and the National Institutes of Health for their financial contributions and in-kind support.

Thank You to our Organizing Committee and Volunteers

Thank you to members of the ICOD Organizing Committee, who worked helped plan this event and its high-quality scientific program over several months.

We also thank all the volunteers who contributed to the event, including those who were presenters, judges and reviewers for scientific abstracts and poster presentations, session ushers, and moderators for group discussions.

We are very grateful for the time and effort they have each invested in making this event a resounding success!