Two-thirds of Canadians over 65 take five or more different medications and more than 40% of seniors 85 and older take 10 or more drugs. With each new drug, the risk of adverse drug reactions and subsequent hospitalization of the patient increases. In order to ensure the safety and appropriateness of therapy, all health care practitioners should have access to the therapeutic indication for a patient’s drug therapy and start or renew medication only once they have determined that the benefits of therapy outweigh the risks to the patient.
Sources:
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