Reducing medication error and polypharmacy in older people

Abstract

Taking multiple medications for the treatment of chronic diseases may lead to medication-related problems or adverse effects. Physiological changes with age affect drug absorption and clearance and hence have implications on drug doses. Hospitalised older people are at risk of prescribing errors. Medication reconciliation should be performed at all interfaces of care, including admission, transfer, and discharge. Polypharmacy and inappropriate medications are also common in older people, for whom deprescribing should be initiated, taking into account their life expectancy and applying a holistic approach to achieve individualised care.