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Prescription Drugs and the Elderly in B.C.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Jean D. Tuominen
Jean D. Tuominen
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
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Abstract

Persons aged 65 and older comprise about 9–12% of the population of industrialized countries but consume 25–30% of prescribed drugs. This high consumption may be due to an increase in disease and chronic illness and/or the result of over prescription.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of prescription drugs by the population of B.C. aged 65 and older. Using B.C. Pharmacare data for 1984, the cost and number of prescriptions were analysed, comparing consumption by the mobile elderly with that of the elderly in nursing homes. Both populations were found to receive a high number of prescriptions per person, particularly in the Central Nervous System therapeutic class.

The results indicate the need for further study into the prescription of drugs for both elderly groups, but particularly those in nursing homes.

Résumé

Dans les pays industrialisés, les personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus représentent entre 9 et 12% de la population mais ils consomment de 25 à 30% des médicaments prescrits. Ce taux élevé de consommation pourrait être attribué à une augmentation de maladies générales et chroniques et/ou à une sur-médication.

Cette enquête visait à examiner l'emploi de médicaments d'ordonnance par les personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus en Colombie Britannnique. En se basant sur le B.C. Pharmacare 1984, le coût et le nombre d'ordonnances furent analysés, comparant la consommation des gens âgés indépendants à celle des vieillards demeurant dans des fovers d'accueil. Selon les résultats obtenus, un grand nombre d'ordonnances serait prescrit à chaque personne dans ces deux segments de la population, particulièrement au niveau de la catégorie thérapeutique du système nerveux central.

De plus, les enquêteurs conclurent qu'une étude plus approlondie sur la question de médicaments d'ordonnance prescrits aux membres de ces deux groupes serait bénéfique, s'attardant particulièrement sur les personnes qui habitent les foyers d'accueil.

Keywords

prescription drugsmedicationadverse reactionsBritish Columbiahealthcompliance
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , Fall/Automne 1988 , pp. 174 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1988

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References

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