A Study on Inappropriate Drug Utilization in Geriatric Patients

Abstract

The objective of the chapter is to assess the inappropriate use of medications in geriatric patients by Beers criteria and PRISCUS list, and drug utilization pattern in geriatric patients. Population ageing is one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century. The increase in average life expectancy was a successful challenge achieved in the modern world. The mechanisms associated with ageing are determined by environmental factors but also by genetic factors, which regulate the expression of genes that can be especially important for this process. This prospective study carried out in the geriatrics population in a tertiary care teaching hospital as the primary objective and secondary objectives include - the drug utilization pattern, inappropriate drug use in geriatrics by Beers Criteria & PRISCUS list, usage of drugs from WHO essential drug list & National list of essential medicines (NLEM), and disease pattern among this population. In our study, 46 male geriatric patients, and 24 female geriatric patients were admitted. 15 PIMs observed from Beers criteria and 10 PIMs from the PRISCUS list. From both lists 5 PIMs observed as the same medications. A total of 70 geriatric patients were admitted in the general medicine ward during the study period; in which male patients were 46 (65.7%) and female patients were 24 (34.3%) (Fig. 1) and the average age of the geriatric patients was 70 years. Medication errors, Efficacy, and safety. Thus, the clinical pharmacist is the most needful healthcare personnel and stakeholder to improve the outcome of the patient. By educating doctors about therapeutic drug monitoring and drug selection for appropriateness, the clinical pharmacist plays a crucial part in the appropriate prescribing of medications to patients.